911 (997)
Data covers 12 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
M97.70
3.6L 6-cyl / 415 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Porsche 911 Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
MA1.01
3.8L 6-cyl / 435 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Porsche 911, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2005-2011 Porsche 911
On a used 2005-2011 Porsche 911, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (65), the cooling system (12) and the wheels and tires (5). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Porsche 911 about the engine.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Porsche 911 about the cooling system.
- Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 5 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Porsche 911 about the wheels and tires.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 5 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Porsche 911 about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 2 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Porsche 911 about the body and structure.
Recalls (7)
Ohlins USA, Inc (Ohlins) is recalling certain Front Struts, part number POS 5N20. These struts were sold as part of Ohlins strut kits part number POZ MN02, intended for installation on 1999-2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 996), and 2001-2006 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 996) and kit part number POZ MN05, intended for installation on 2005-2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 997), and 2006-2013 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 997). The pin of the strut may experience excessive stress during maximum steering, possibly resulting breakage of the pin.
Porsche is recalling certain model year 2010 911 GT3 vehicles manufactured May 15, 2009, through February 11, 2010. The rear wheel hubs may be prone to failure under certain driving conditions. Also, the original, suggested maintenance intervals may be insufficient to prevent wheel hub failure.
PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 911 SPEEDSTER AND 911 GTS RS 4.0; AND MODEL YEAR 2012 BOXSTER (INCLUDING S AND SPYDER); CAYMAN (INCLUDING S AND R); 911 CARRERA (INCLUDING S, GTS, 4, 4S, AND 4 GTS); 911 TARGA 4 AND TARGA 4S; AND 911 TURBO AND TURBO S MODELS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 31, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE MOUNTING HOLES IN THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATES FITTED TO THE VEHICLE ARE TOO SMALL. IF THE HOLE DIAMETER IS TOO SMALL, THE ANCHOR PLATE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ROTATE ABOUT THE FASTENING BOLT AS DESIGNED.
PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011, 911 TURBO; TURBO S, 911 GT3, GT3 RS AND GT2 RS HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 18, 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17, 2010, AND EQUIPPED WITH CENTER LOCKING HUB AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES. OVER TIME THE HUBS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET CENTER WHEEL MOUNTING KITS EQUIPPED WITH CENTER WHEEL LOCK AND HUB ASSEMBLIES BEARING THE TORQUE SPECIFICATION INSCRIPTION "500 NM" ON THE CENTER BOLT SOLD FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PORSCHE 911 TURBO VEHICLES. SHOULD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED KITS BE OPERATED UNDER RACING CONDITIONS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE WHEEL RETENTION SYSTEM MAY FAIL.
Show 2 older recalls
ON CERTAIN 2 DOOR COUPE VEHICLES, THE SWITCH CONSOLE FOR THE PORSCHE ACTIVE SUSPENSION MANAGEMENT (PASM) AND THE TRACTION CONTROL (TC-OFF) SWITCHES WAS INAPPROPRIATELY INSTALLED. THE LEDS IN THE SWITCHES CAN SIGNAL A FUNCTIONAL CHANGE IN THE PASM MODE OR THE DEACTIVATION OF TRACTION CONTROL EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCHES ARE NOT ACTUATED.
CERTAIN 2 DOOR COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED WITH A TAILPIPE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH A WELD LOCATED BETWEEN THE FASTENING CLIP AND EXHAUST PIPE, WHICH IS INADEQUATELY DIMENSIONED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE CERTAIN ACCESSORY EXHAUST PIPES INSTALLED BY DEALERS.
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Alternatives in Sports Car
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2005-2011 Porsche 911 complaints?
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2011 Porsche 911. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the wheels and tires.
Is the 2005-2011 Porsche 911 a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2011 Porsche 911. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2011 Porsche 911 have?
NHTSA has 81 owner complaints on file for the 2005-2011 Porsche 911 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2005-2011 Porsche 911?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2005-2011 Porsche 911 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Porsche 911?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the wheels and tires, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the 911 have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2005-2011 Porsche 911. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 81 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-18.