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2003 Porsche 911 Turbo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 13 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

13 reports
47,000 miles · Jan 3, 2017
Engine

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN DECEMBER 2015, ON A LOCAL ROAD NEAR MY HOME, THE ENGINE BEGAN EMITTING A LARGE STEAM CLOUD BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND THE COOLANT LEVEL LIGHT APPEARED. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS A MAJOR COOLANT LEAK BEHIND THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO A SHOP, AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE ISSUES AS ONE OF THE COOLANT P…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN DECEMBER 2015, ON A LOCAL ROAD NEAR MY HOME, THE ENGINE BEGAN EMITTING A LARGE STEAM CLOUD BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND THE COOLANT LEVEL LIGHT APPEARED. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS A MAJOR COOLANT LEAK BEHIND THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO A SHOP, AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE ISSUES AS ONE OF THE COOLANT PIPES HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE AND DUMPED ALL OF THE COOLANT ON THE ROAD. IN THE ATTACHED IMAGE YOU CAN SEE THE SEPARATED COOLANT PIPE FROM THE ENGINE TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE PICTURE. GIVEN THE COST OF REPAIR, I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL SUMMER OF 2016 TO HAVE THE REPAIR COMPLETED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10939285

33,200 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE PUTNAM PARK ROAD COURSE TRACK ON 9/12/15, AND ONE OF MY COOLANT FITTINGS BROKE LOOSE FROM THE DEFECTIVE PORSCHE ADHESIVE. IT SPEWED COOLANT ALL OVER THE TRACK, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION CAUSING OTHER DRIVERS TO LOSE CONTROL. I HAD A PORSCHE DEALER REMEDY THE SITUATION BY PINNING THE FITTINGS AND …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE PUTNAM PARK ROAD COURSE TRACK ON 9/12/15, AND ONE OF MY COOLANT FITTINGS BROKE LOOSE FROM THE DEFECTIVE PORSCHE ADHESIVE. IT SPEWED COOLANT ALL OVER THE TRACK, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION CAUSING OTHER DRIVERS TO LOSE CONTROL. I HAD A PORSCHE DEALER REMEDY THE SITUATION BY PINNING THE FITTINGS AND APPLYING NEW ADHESIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10765255

63,421 miles · Feb 10, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHILE ACCELERATING WHEN I FELT THE CAR SQUIRM AND NOTICED A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE AS A CATASTROPHIC COOLANT LEAK FROM THE ENGINE AREA (REAR) OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TRANSPORTED HOME AND THEN TO A REPA…

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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHILE ACCELERATING WHEN I FELT THE CAR SQUIRM AND NOTICED A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE AS A CATASTROPHIC COOLANT LEAK FROM THE ENGINE AREA (REAR) OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TRANSPORTED HOME AND THEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A COOLANT LINE THAT BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT PORSCHE, FROM THE FACTORY, USED AN ADHESIVE LIKE MATERIAL TO MATE THE CONNECTORS OF THE COOLANT LINES AND ENGINE AND AFTER USAGE THEY WILL COME APART CAUSING COOLANT TO BE HEMORRHAGED ONTO THE ENGINE AND POTENTIALLY WHEELS/TIRES CAUSING FOR VERY DANGEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS. DURING THE INCIDENT I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE COOLANT CONTACTING THE TIRES WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE OTHERWISE HAPPENED HAD PORSCHE NOT MANUFACTURED THEIR VEHICLES IN THE AFOREMENTIONED WAY. I AS WELL AS OTHERS ON THE ROAD WERE PUT IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF THIS MANUFACTURING ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682527

51,285 miles · Feb 7, 2015
Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTHBOUND WHEN I FELT THE REAR END OF MY CAR SLIP. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPG IN 5TH GEAR ON A 68 DEGREE EVENING. I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE / STEAM COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD, WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE LATER…

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I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTHBOUND WHEN I FELT THE REAR END OF MY CAR SLIP. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPG IN 5TH GEAR ON A 68 DEGREE EVENING. I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE / STEAM COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD, WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE LATER. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN NHTSA ACTION PE13009. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10681862

81,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Engine

ALUMINUM COOLANT PIPE, THAT IS GLUED INTO WATER PUMP MANIFOLD, CAME LOOSE CAUSING MASSIVE LOSS OF COOLANT ALL OVER THE ROAD CAUSING SLIPPERY CONDITIONS FOR OTHER DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522217

45,479 miles · May 10, 2013
Engine

AN EPOXIED COOLANT FITTING FOR THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THIS RESULTED IN THE SUDDEN LOSS OF MOST ALL THE ENGINES COOLANT ON THE ROADWAY. PERMANENT FIX WAS TO HAVE AUTO REPAIR SHOP WELD THE FITTING IN PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511347

103,000 miles · May 4, 2013
Engine

COOLANT HOSE FAILURE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUN MEDIUM/HARD. I LOST 1/2 LITER THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES IN TOTAL, AND ROUGHLY 1 LITER OF COOLANT THE LAST TIME, ALL OVER THE EXHAUST AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL TIRE. LUCKY I DID NOT SPIN OUT OR HAVE MANY CARS BEHIND ME. I CAPTURED PICTURES OF THE LAST LEAK AFTER RETURNING TO MY GARAGE …

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COOLANT HOSE FAILURE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUN MEDIUM/HARD. I LOST 1/2 LITER THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES IN TOTAL, AND ROUGHLY 1 LITER OF COOLANT THE LAST TIME, ALL OVER THE EXHAUST AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL TIRE. LUCKY I DID NOT SPIN OUT OR HAVE MANY CARS BEHIND ME. I CAPTURED PICTURES OF THE LAST LEAK AFTER RETURNING TO MY GARAGE ON 05/03/2013. PRIOR TO THE LAST LEAK, I HAD THE FRONT RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE PORSCHE MECHANIC PRESSURE TESTED THE COOLANT SYSTEM TO ENSURE THERE WERE NO LEAKS, AS I HAD MENTIONED IT WOULD LEAK FROM NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. HE DID NOT FIND ANY LEAKS WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND PRESSURE TESTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510624

30,124 miles · Apr 30, 2013
Engine

DRIVING ON PRIVATE ROAD AND A RADIATOR HOSE (IN FRONT OF CAR) CAME OFF CAUSING IMMEDIATE AND RAPID PURGING OF COOLANT ON TO ALL 4 TIRES AND ME SPINNING OFF OF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY ONLY INTO THE GRASS ON SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WAS FLAT BEDDED TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS ON REPAIRS. HAVE SINCE SPENT THOU…

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DRIVING ON PRIVATE ROAD AND A RADIATOR HOSE (IN FRONT OF CAR) CAME OFF CAUSING IMMEDIATE AND RAPID PURGING OF COOLANT ON TO ALL 4 TIRES AND ME SPINNING OFF OF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY ONLY INTO THE GRASS ON SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WAS FLAT BEDDED TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS ON REPAIRS. HAVE SINCE SPENT THOUSANDS ON ADDITIONAL PREVENTATIVE MEASURES DUE TO MECHANICS ALERTING ME THAT THE HOSES IN THE REAR WILL LET GO AND CAUSE COOLANT LOSS. HAD TO PAY FOR ENGINE REMOVAL AND WELDING OF LINES FOR MY SAFETY. COSTS WAS WELL OVER $3000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510138

26,000 miles · Apr 23, 2013
Engine

REPAIR TO THE ENGINE COOLANT HARD PIPES WAS REQUIRED TO PROPHYLACTICALLY PREVENT FAILURE OF THE FACTORY EPOXY SEAL. WELDING THE PIPES WAS REQUIRED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509283

63,400 miles · Apr 20, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

FACTORY CONNECTION AT COOLANT PIPES HAD COME APART DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING PROCESS, USE OF GLUE. WEEPING OF COOLANT AT CONNECTIONS. HAD SHOP WELD COOLANT PIPES TO RECTIFY THE IMMINENT ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508894

Official recalls

2

04V070000 · Seats

Feb 18, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FITTED WITH FRONT SEAT BACKS, WHICH DO NOT MEET PORSCHE'S STRENGTH STANDARDS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEATS COULD TWIST, TILTING ON ONE SIDE TO THE REAR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE FRONT SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

03V218000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Jun 16, 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE A LOOSE FITTING IN THE PRESSURE LINE OF THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE FITTING IS LOOSE, THE HYDRAULIC FLUID COULD LEAK OUT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND, FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, LOSS OF CLUTCH ASSISTANCE. IF THE LEAKING FLUID COMES INTO CONTACT WITH HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS, IT COULD IGNITE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FITTING TO SPECIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE13009 · Rapid Coolant Loss

Opened Apr 26, 2013 · Closed Mar 10, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings

On April 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-009 to investigate 10 complaints alleging incidents of sudden coolant loss while traveling on public roadways in certain model year (MY) 2001 through 2007 Porsche 911 vehicles.The complaints alleged that pipe ends joined by epoxy to certain cooling system components may fail suddenly and separate, resulting in large volumes of coolant leakage.The investigation was opened to assess evidence of a design or manufacturing defect in the coolant pipe fittings and any related safety consequences. In response to ODI?s Information Request letter, Porsche identified a manufacturing quality issue with the supplier?s application of adhesive to coolant pipe fittings that resulted in elevated failure rates in approximately 6,800 early production 997 generation vehicles (MY 2007 and early MY 2008).ODI?s analysis of field data showed that the age-adjusted failure rate for these vehicles was approximately six times greater than MY 2001 through 2005 996 generation vehicles and MY 2008 through 2011 997 generation vehicles built after a process improvement for adhesive application was implemented by the supplier.Most of the leak complaints reviewed by ODI did not appear to involve complete separation of the fittings and many were detected when the vehicle was parked.There were no crashes or injuries reported to be related to the alleged defect in any of the subject vehicles.ODI identified two allegations that coolant leakage resulted in loss of control incidents, but neither involved vehicles affected by the assembly process quality issue.A third loss of control allegation involving a vehicle built during the period affected by the supplier process concern is not counted since ODI was unable to contact the owner to confirm the incident.See the full closing resume in the document file for PE13-009 for additional information about the subject cooling system and ODI?s analysis of field data related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings

On April 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-009 to investigate 10 complaints alleging incidents of sudden coolant loss while traveling on public roadways in certain model year (MY) 2001 through 2007 Porsche 911 vehicles.The complaints alleged that pipe ends joined by epoxy to certain cooling system components may fail suddenly and separate, resulting in large volumes of coolant leakage.The investigation was opened to assess evidence of a design or manufacturing defect in the coolant pipe fittings and any related safety consequences. In response to ODI?s Information Request letter, Porsche identified a manufacturing quality issue with the supplier?s application of adhesive to coolant pipe fittings that resulted in elevated failure rates in approximately 6,800 early production 997 generation vehicles (MY 2007 and early MY 2008).ODI?s analysis of field data showed that the age-adjusted failure rate for these vehicles was approximately six times greater than MY 2001 through 2005 996 generation vehicles and MY 2008 through 2011 997 generation vehicles built after a process improvement for adhesive application was implemented by the supplier.Most of the leak complaints reviewed by ODI did not appear to involve complete separation of the fittings and many were detected when the vehicle was parked.There were no crashes or injuries reported to be related to the alleged defect in any of the subject vehicles.ODI identified two allegations that coolant leakage resulted in loss of control incidents, but neither involved vehicles affected by the assembly process quality issue.A third loss of control allegation involving a vehicle built during the period affected by the supplier process concern is not counted since ODI was unable to contact the owner to confirm the incident.See the full closing resume in the document file for PE13-009 for additional information about the subject cooling system and ODI?s analysis of field data related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System

On April 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-009 to investigate 10 complaints alleging incidents of sudden coolant loss while traveling on public roadways in certain model year (MY) 2001 through 2007 Porsche 911 vehicles.The complaints alleged that pipe ends joined by epoxy to certain cooling system components may fail suddenly and separate, resulting in large volumes of coolant leakage.The investigation was opened to assess evidence of a design or manufacturing defect in the coolant pipe fittings and any related safety consequences. In response to ODI?s Information Request letter, Porsche identified a manufacturing quality issue with the supplier?s application of adhesive to coolant pipe fittings that resulted in elevated failure rates in approximately 6,800 early production 997 generation vehicles (MY 2007 and early MY 2008).ODI?s analysis of field data showed that the age-adjusted failure rate for these vehicles was approximately six times greater than MY 2001 through 2005 996 generation vehicles and MY 2008 through 2011 997 generation vehicles built after a process improvement for adhesive application was implemented by the supplier.Most of the leak complaints reviewed by ODI did not appear to involve complete separation of the fittings and many were detected when the vehicle was parked.There were no crashes or injuries reported to be related to the alleged defect in any of the subject vehicles.ODI identified two allegations that coolant leakage resulted in loss of control incidents, but neither involved vehicles affected by the assembly process quality issue.A third loss of control allegation involving a vehicle built during the period affected by the supplier process concern is not counted since ODI was unable to contact the owner to confirm the incident.See the full closing resume in the document file for PE13-009 for additional information about the subject cooling system and ODI?s analysis of field data related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Engine And Engine Cooling

On April 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-009 to investigate 10 complaints alleging incidents of sudden coolant loss while traveling on public roadways in certain model year (MY) 2001 through 2007 Porsche 911 vehicles.The complaints alleged that pipe ends joined by epoxy to certain cooling system components may fail suddenly and separate, resulting in large volumes of coolant leakage.The investigation was opened to assess evidence of a design or manufacturing defect in the coolant pipe fittings and any related safety consequences. In response to ODI?s Information Request letter, Porsche identified a manufacturing quality issue with the supplier?s application of adhesive to coolant pipe fittings that resulted in elevated failure rates in approximately 6,800 early production 997 generation vehicles (MY 2007 and early MY 2008).ODI?s analysis of field data showed that the age-adjusted failure rate for these vehicles was approximately six times greater than MY 2001 through 2005 996 generation vehicles and MY 2008 through 2011 997 generation vehicles built after a process improvement for adhesive application was implemented by the supplier.Most of the leak complaints reviewed by ODI did not appear to involve complete separation of the fittings and many were detected when the vehicle was parked.There were no crashes or injuries reported to be related to the alleged defect in any of the subject vehicles.ODI identified two allegations that coolant leakage resulted in loss of control incidents, but neither involved vehicles affected by the assembly process quality issue.A third loss of control allegation involving a vehicle built during the period affected by the supplier process concern is not counted since ODI was unable to contact the owner to confirm the incident.See the full closing resume in the document file for PE13-009 for additional information about the subject cooling system and ODI?s analysis of field data related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.