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2004 Porsche 911

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
8Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2004 Porsche 911

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 8 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 1 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Engine: 6 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 2 reports
  • Power Train: 1 reports
  • Structure: 1 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    8
    2001    9
    2002    9
    2003    8
    2004    3
    2005
    Compare all 911 years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Engine
    6    Engine And Engine Cooling
    2    Power Train
    1    Structure
    1

    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: 7 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 6 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 →
    • Power Train. 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.

    1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

    Engine complaints

    6 reports
    Clear category filter
    Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2022
    Engine

    Yesterday as I was driving in freeway, my friend was following me from behind, he noticed smoke and coolant leaking making his car's windshield dirty. So we stopped at gas station and noticed good amount of coolant leakage from underneath which make the back of the car and tires big mess. I noticed, before my friend's call, the …

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    Yesterday as I was driving in freeway, my friend was following me from behind, he noticed smoke and coolant leaking making his car's windshield dirty. So we stopped at gas station and noticed good amount of coolant leakage from underneath which make the back of the car and tires big mess. I noticed, before my friend's call, the handling and grip of the car was little off, I didn't know why but then I realized leaking made the tires slippery. Tow the car to my house and just wanted to report this. It seems lot of people complain about this issue when I started reading about it last night.

    NHTSA ODI #11457590

    40,000 miles · Oct 11, 2013
    Engine

    THE M96 MOTOR SUPPLIED WITH THIS VEHICLE LINE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS. ENGINE BLOCK LEAKS THE BLOCK IS POROUS. RESLEEVED CYLINDERS WERE MAKER FIX ,THE SLEEVES MOVED CAUSING ENGINE DESTRUCTION. A MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARING WAS DESIGNED OUT. ALLOWING THE CRANKSHAFT TO MOVE FRT TO BACK AND WITH GRAVITY CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE…

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    THE M96 MOTOR SUPPLIED WITH THIS VEHICLE LINE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS. ENGINE BLOCK LEAKS THE BLOCK IS POROUS. RESLEEVED CYLINDERS WERE MAKER FIX ,THE SLEEVES MOVED CAUSING ENGINE DESTRUCTION. A MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARING WAS DESIGNED OUT. ALLOWING THE CRANKSHAFT TO MOVE FRT TO BACK AND WITH GRAVITY CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE REAR MAIN SEAL COULD NOT FIX IF CRANK HAD MOVED MORE THAN A FEW DEGREES FROM ORIG SPEC.PRIMARY PROBLEM IMS( INTERMEDIATE SHAFT) FAILURE. RESULT, COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF MOTOR. NO FIX FROM MANUFACTURE. AFTER MARKET ONLY SUPPLY. OVER TEN THOUSAND AFTER MARKET REPAIRS DONE.CONSERVATIVE APX COST $,3000 I HAVE MUCH MORE EVIDENCE. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10547657

    17,042 miles · Oct 6, 2013
    Engine

    MY GT3 HAS COOLING PIPE ON THE ENGINE EXTERNAL TO THE BLOCK. I HAVE READ THIS IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE USED IN GT3 AND TURBOS (METZGER MOTOR). A FITTING COMES LOOSE DUE TO ADHESIVE FAILURE RESULTING I LOSS OF ALL OR MOST OF THE COOLANT FLUID. THE REPAIR REQUIRES ENGINE REMOVAL AND REPAIR OF THE FITTINGS. THERE IS…

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    MY GT3 HAS COOLING PIPE ON THE ENGINE EXTERNAL TO THE BLOCK. I HAVE READ THIS IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE USED IN GT3 AND TURBOS (METZGER MOTOR). A FITTING COMES LOOSE DUE TO ADHESIVE FAILURE RESULTING I LOSS OF ALL OR MOST OF THE COOLANT FLUID. THE REPAIR REQUIRES ENGINE REMOVAL AND REPAIR OF THE FITTINGS. THERE IS SOME ISSUE AS TO THE PROPER OR BEST REPAIR APPROACH. WHAT IS KNOW IS THAT THE ADHESIVE FAILURE IS ALMOST SURE TO OCCUR. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AS I HAVE FEW MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT YET EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE, BUT VERY CONCERNED THIS WILL OCCUR AND THE SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT FLUID WILL MOST LIKE RESULT IN A SPINOUT OR CRASH. EVEN IF NO ACCIDENT WERE TO RESULT, I AM OUT OF NORMAL WARRANTY, THIS FAILURE WILL SET ME BACK $1500-2000. I HAVE FOLLOWED REPORTS OF THE NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THESE FITTINGS ON 6SPEEDONLINE.COM. AS I HAVE NOT YET HAD A FAILURE, I STILL WANT TO REGISTER MY CONCERN SHOULD THERE BE A NHTSA DIRECTED RECALL TO PORSCHE. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10546931

    12,000 miles · May 30, 2013
    EnginePower TrainStructureCrashInjury

    THE EVENT HAPPENED IN 2008. PURCHASED PORSCHE GT 3 FROM PORSCHE DEALER IN 2006. ACCELERATING ONTO A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY FROM AN ENTRANCE RAMP THE CAR MADE A VIOLENT FISHTAIL MOVEMENT IN A COUNTERCLOCWISE DIRECTION CAUSING A 180 DEG. SPIN. I TRIED TO CORRECT BUT NO RESPONSE AND THEN APPLIED BRAKES HEAVILY BUT CAR CONTINUED IT…

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    THE EVENT HAPPENED IN 2008. PURCHASED PORSCHE GT 3 FROM PORSCHE DEALER IN 2006. ACCELERATING ONTO A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY FROM AN ENTRANCE RAMP THE CAR MADE A VIOLENT FISHTAIL MOVEMENT IN A COUNTERCLOCWISE DIRECTION CAUSING A 180 DEG. SPIN. I TRIED TO CORRECT BUT NO RESPONSE AND THEN APPLIED BRAKES HEAVILY BUT CAR CONTINUED ITS MOVEMENT EVENTUALLY HITTING A CONCRETE BARRIER IN THE RIGHT REAR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND EVENTUALLY TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. AT THE IMPACT SITE I DID NOTICE FLUID ON THE ROAD AND ALSO BACK UP THE ROAD. SINCE MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, I WAS MORE FOCUSED ON TENDING TO HER BUT AS I LOOK BACK AND ALSO READING ABOUT THE COOLANT PROBLEMS THIS CAR IS HAVING I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THIS CAR HAD A DISCHARGE OF COOLING FLUID. AS A SIDE NOTE, I DO HOLD A COMPETITION DRIVERS LICENSE WITH THE SCCA AND HAVE COMPETED FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED PORSCHES FOR OVER 40 YEARS. I PRESENTLY OWN ANOTHER 2004 GT 3 AND VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

    NHTSA ODI #10514243

    15,000 miles · May 2, 2013
    Engine

    THE ABOVE CAR HAS A FACTORY WATER COOLING SYSTEM THAT INVOLVES ALUMINUM PIPING THAT IS EPOXIED INTO THE BLOCK AFTER APPROXIMATELY 24 MONTHS OF USE THE EPOXY FAILS AND ALL THE COOLANT IS EVACUATED FROM THE SYSTEM ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND THE GROUND THE MOTOR COULD SEIZE AND THE COOLANT ON THE ROAD IN THAT VOLUME CREATES A DANGEROU…

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    THE ABOVE CAR HAS A FACTORY WATER COOLING SYSTEM THAT INVOLVES ALUMINUM PIPING THAT IS EPOXIED INTO THE BLOCK AFTER APPROXIMATELY 24 MONTHS OF USE THE EPOXY FAILS AND ALL THE COOLANT IS EVACUATED FROM THE SYSTEM ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND THE GROUND THE MOTOR COULD SEIZE AND THE COOLANT ON THE ROAD IN THAT VOLUME CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR OTHER DRIVERS.THE EPOXY FIX OFFERED BY PORSCHE FAILED 3 TIMES FOR ME (TWICE MORE SUBSEQUENTLY)UNTIL I HAD A SHOP WELD THE ALUMINUM PIPES TO THE BLOCK. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

    NHTSA ODI #10510434

    21,000 miles · Jan 7, 2013
    Engine

    THE COOLANT LINES ARE GLUED IN BY FACTORY TO SAVE COSTS. HOWEVER THE GLUE IS FAILING AND THE COOLANT LINES POP OUT AND ANTI FREEZE IS DUMPED EVERYWHERE CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION . PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THEIR PROBLEM BUT DOING MOTHING ABOUT RECALLING OLDER CARS TO BE REPAIRED. I PAID TO REPAIR MY CAR INDEPENDENTLY BUT PORSCHE …

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    THE COOLANT LINES ARE GLUED IN BY FACTORY TO SAVE COSTS. HOWEVER THE GLUE IS FAILING AND THE COOLANT LINES POP OUT AND ANTI FREEZE IS DUMPED EVERYWHERE CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION . PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THEIR PROBLEM BUT DOING MOTHING ABOUT RECALLING OLDER CARS TO BE REPAIRED. I PAID TO REPAIR MY CAR INDEPENDENTLY BUT PORSCHE OWNERS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO REPORT THIS SAFERY ISSUE. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10491708

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect 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.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.