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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Porsche 911 Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Porsche 911 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Porsche dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Porsche 911. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1996 Porsche 911 owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Porsche 911, describing incidents dated July 23, 1997 to March 1, 2005.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 2 complaints
  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Structure 1 complaint
  • Tires 1 complaint
  • Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

Together, the 6 complaints on file report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10115580 · Filed

    THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS 1996 PORSCHE 911 BUT FOR INSURANCE REASONS THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM STORAGE UNTIL APRIL 1, 2005. *NM (CONVERTIBLE TOP LOCKING MECHANISM MOTOR) THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL#04V601000 *SC *JB

  • ODI #8019179 · Filed

    PE 01 031/ WIRING HARNESS INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY.ENGINE WOULD REMAIN ON AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLASH, AND A/C WOULD NOT OPERATE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER…

  • ODI #824827 · Filed

    WHILE REACHING INSIDE VEHICLE HOLDING A CHILD IN HAND, AND VEHICLE ENGINE RUNNING, CONSUMER PRESSED HORN AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRE BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Porsche 911 in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

PORSCHE/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

NHTSA #98V089001 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported November 27, 1998 · PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.

Potentially affected: 1,968 vehicles

Owners notified February 11, 1999 · Vehicles built November 1, 1995 – April 30, 1996 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG CAN OCCUR.

Safety consequence

DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND A SPECIAL FILTER HORN RELAY WILL BE INSTALLED THAT PROTECTS THE AIR BAG UNIT FROM VOLTAGE PEAKS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

NHTSA #95V248000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System · NHTSA notice

Reported December 28, 1995 · PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.

Potentially affected: 30 vehicles

Owners notified January 17, 1996 · Vehicles built September 1, 1995 – September 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

THE INSIDE PIPES OF THE HEAT EXCHANGERS MIGHT BE SUBJECT TO CRACKING.

Safety consequence

WITH THE HEATER SWITCHED ON, EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER COULD ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ENTRY OF EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULD, IN EXTREME CASES, CAUSE ASPHYXIATION AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEAT EXCHANGER IN THESE VEHICLES.

Notes

SYSTEM: ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe

NHTSA #95V247000 · NHTSA notice

Reported December 28, 1995 · PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.

Potentially affected: 91 vehicles

Owners notified January 16, 1996 · Vehicles built July 1, 1995 – September 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

THE COVER SLEEVES ON THE EXHAUST TAILPIPES HAVE BEEN SECURED WITH ONLY TWO INSTEAD OF FOUR WELDING SPOTS.

Safety consequence

THE COVER COULD LOOSEN DURING DRIVING AND DETACH CAUSING A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND/OR NEARBY PEDESTRIANS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAILPIPES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM WITH TAILPIPES ON WHICH THE COVER SLEEVE HAS BEEN SECURED WITH FOUR WELDING SPOTS.

Notes

SYSTEM: EXHAUST; TAILPIPE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Other Porsche 911 model years

Check your 1996 Porsche 911 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Porsche 911 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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