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: 6 of 8 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 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. 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.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
8 reports
50,000 miles · Jul 28, 2017
Engine
50,000 MILES. IN SHOP BECAUSE OF SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND AN OIL CHANGE. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT AN IMS BEARING IS THROWING OFF BRASS FLAKES WHICH I COULD SEE IN THE OIL FILTER. THIS PROBLEM WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. EVIDENTLY IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE. THE3 2…
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50,000 MILES. IN SHOP BECAUSE OF SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND AN OIL CHANGE. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT AN IMS BEARING IS THROWING OFF BRASS FLAKES WHICH I COULD SEE IN THE OIL FILTER. THIS PROBLEM WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. EVIDENTLY IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE. THE3 2001 PORSCHE IS KNOWN FOR THIS ENGINE PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE PNA. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC THE ENGINE IS FLAWED IN ITS DESIGNED AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11011277
31,362 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Engine
COOLANT LEAK FROM REAR OF VEHICLE ,COOLANT LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON SEEN LEAK FROM HOSE CONNECTION ,BACK NEAR REAR TIRE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF TRACTION HAVE HEARD CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH CONNECTORS FROM PORSCHE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564718
72,000 miles · Jun 17, 2013
Engine
COOLANT FITTING GLUED INTO THE BLOCK FAILED. THE GLUE FAILED AND THE ENGINE COOLANT BLEW ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND ONTO THE GROUND AFTER BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520214
45,000 miles · Apr 30, 2013
Engine
COOLANT LINE FITTINGS LEAKED COOLANT FLUID ONTO REAR TIRES, CREATED EXTREMELY UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION. REPAIR CONSISTED OF REMOVING COOLANT FITTINGS (MOST REMOVED BY HAND WITHOUT TOOLS) AND WELDING ONTO BLOCK. COST $3800 TO DROP MOTOR, REMOVE ITEMS, PREP, WELD, RE-INSTALL MOTOR AND REFILL FLUIDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510113
19,000 miles · Apr 17, 2013
Engine
THE PORSCHE 996 GT3 MOTORS HAVE A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG OWNERS. THE COOLANT FITTINGS ARE EPOXIED TO THE ENGINE AND UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE USAGE, THEY ARE KNOWN TO COME LOSE AND/OR DETACH COMPLETELY CAUSING COOLANT SPILL ALL OVER THE TIRES AND ROAD AND DEPRIVE THE ENGINE FROM COOLANT. THIS CAUSES THE CAR THE LOSE CONTROL A…
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THE PORSCHE 996 GT3 MOTORS HAVE A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG OWNERS. THE COOLANT FITTINGS ARE EPOXIED TO THE ENGINE AND UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE USAGE, THEY ARE KNOWN TO COME LOSE AND/OR DETACH COMPLETELY CAUSING COOLANT SPILL ALL OVER THE TIRES AND ROAD AND DEPRIVE THE ENGINE FROM COOLANT. THIS CAUSES THE CAR THE LOSE CONTROL AND IS DANGEROUS FOR ANY CARS BEHIND THE CAR THIS HAPPENED TO. MY CAR HAS THIS ENGINE AND AS PREVENTATIVE SAFELY MAINTENANCE, I HAVE PAID AN INDEPENDENT SHOP KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO WELD MY FITTINGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508590
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2012
Exterior Lighting
MINE IS A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE NEARLY NEW STYLE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS BEING USED ON ALL VEHICLES MADE SINCE 2000. YOU SEE THEM EVERYWHERE AS THEY CAN BE EASILY IDENTIFIED BY THEIR CLOUDINESS AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF USE. THERE ARE MANY MAKERS OF DIY FIX IT SOLUTIONS THAT WILL "REPAIR" THESE LENS TO ABOUT 75 PERCENT OF NEW BUT WITH…
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MINE IS A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE NEARLY NEW STYLE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS BEING USED ON ALL VEHICLES MADE SINCE 2000. YOU SEE THEM EVERYWHERE AS THEY CAN BE EASILY IDENTIFIED BY THEIR CLOUDINESS AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF USE. THERE ARE MANY MAKERS OF DIY FIX IT SOLUTIONS THAT WILL "REPAIR" THESE LENS TO ABOUT 75 PERCENT OF NEW BUT WITHIN 3 - 4 MONTHS THEY AGAIN RETURN TO CLOUDY AND CONTINUE TO GET WORSE UNTIL THEY ARE NEARLY USELESS. MANY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO USE THEM SINCE THERE IS NO COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION. MY 2001 PORSCHE WHICH IS ALWAYS GARAGED AND DRIVEN LESS THAN 7,500 MILES PER YEAR WAS NOT SAFE AND I HAVE HAD THEM BOTH PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED. THEY ARE NOW CLOUDY AGAIN AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS WHICH WILL COST $3200 FOR THE PAIR. THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE: STOP MANUFACTURERS FROM MAKING THESE ONE PIECE HEADLIGHTS AND MAKE THEM OFFER REPLACEMENT LENS COVERS THAT CAN BE INSTALLED AT A REASONABLE COST. A FRONT END COLLUSION WILL BE EXPENSIVE FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THIS DIRECTLY BEARS UPON THE CAR OWNER AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE COST TO MAKE LENS REMOVABLE/REPLACEABLE WOULD BE INEXPENSIVE AND THE REPLACEMENT LENS WOULD ALSO BE INEXPENSIVE AND THEY COULD BE DESIGNED TO BE A VERY SIMPLE REPLACEMENT FOR THE CAR OWNER. AS WE GET OLDER WE DRIVE LESS AND WE TEND TO KEEP OUR CARS LONGER AND AS OUR EYES LOSE THEIR SHARPNESS, WE ARE CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW AND ALSO RETROACTIVELY. PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463053
33,000 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury
CAR WAS STRUCK ON LEFT SIDE, JUST FORWARD OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BY A LARGE VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROX. 55MPH. CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND DRIVER SUFFERED HEAD TRAUMA. SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10431168
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2003
Air BagsCrash
SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, IN A SIDE SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010030
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
2001 Porsche 911 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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