1999 Porsche 911 Carrera: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Porsche 911/996's built between 1999 and 2005 are suffering staggering amounts of engine failures due to an ims(intermediate shaft)bearing failure. See here: http://www.porscheenginefailure.com/. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2010
“Airbag light is illuminated after 54k miles. After reading porsche forum posts and contacting multiple dealers, I have learned this is a _very_ common issue. It may or may not result in faulty airbag deployment. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2008
“Normal synthetic oil change intervals and recommended dealer service. At 65k miles engine failed. Diagnosis was that a connecting rod punctured the engine block. No assistance at all from porsche, had to purchase a replacement engine as the car was 2 years out of warranty. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2007
Show 3 more owner reports
“Air bag light stays on. My '1999 911 carrera just had it's 30000 major service completed at stevinson porsche in denver, co. The next day the airbag light came on and stays on. I made an appointment and was informed that the cost of repair would be "$250 and up". I have since read thru numerous forums that this is a "reported"/"common" issue involving the seat belt wiring system and that porsche is aware of it, has a repair kit available, but that it is not their responsibility to provide the correction to this saftey issue. Has there been a "recall" issued for this problem?*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2004
“1999 porsche 911 carrera. S10 direct reply- letter to the secretary from re numerous defects in porsche cars *tgw the consumer stated there were many defects in recent years, especially with the m96 and m97 engines. Other known defects were the transmission, air bags, clutch etc. The consumer stated he experienced two failures with the engine in his vehicle. He also had problems with the transmission due to a rattling noise, the clutch pedal which was binding and the airbags. Also, the battery had to be replaced five times. The consumer stated porsche cars north america acknowledged the known defects, but they informed the consumer he waited too long. *jb updated 11/24/10”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2002
“Obscured forward vision due to inappropriate climate control design. On a hot and humid day in fully automatic mode the climate control will inadvertantly super cool the interior windshield surface resulting in condensation forming on the exterior surface, sometimes suddenly.”Owner report · Equipment
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: Ohlins will notify owners, and dealers will request the return of all unsold kits containing the subject part from dealer/distributor inventory for a full refund. All owners who purchased one of the kits (POZ MN02 or POZ MN05) will receive replacement front struts (POS 5N20 or POS 5N21 - These parts are interchangeable), along with new top mount interface solutions, free of charge. The recall began December 22, 2020. Owners may contact Ohlins customer service at 1-800-336-9029.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCORRECT PROGRAMMING OF THE ELECTRONIC LOGIC UNIT CAN CAUSE AN INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE SOFTWARE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SO THAT THE FUEL LEVEL AND THE RANGE OF REMAINING FUEL ARE DETERMINED AND DISPLAYED CORRECTLY.
Check your exact 911 Carrera by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:macpherson strut. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.