2003 Porsche 911 Turbo: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
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.
“While driving home from work in december 2015, on a local road near my home, the engine began emitting a large steam cloud behind the vehicle and the coolant level light appeared. I pulled over and there was a major coolant leak behind the car. I had the car taken to a shop, and they identified the issues as one of the coolant pipes had separated from the engine and dumped all of the coolant on the road. In the attached image you can see the separated coolant pipe from the engine towards the back of the picture. Given the cost of repair, I had to wait until summer of 2016 to have the repair completed. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2015
“I was driving on the putnam park road course track on 9/12/15, and one of my coolant fittings broke loose from the defective porsche adhesive. It spewed coolant all over the track, creating a very dangerous situation causing other drivers to lose control. I had a porsche dealer remedy the situation by pinning the fittings and applying new adhesive.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
“I was driving on interstate 15 northbound when I felt the rear end of my car slip. I was traveling at approximately 70 mpg in 5th gear on a 68 degree evening. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw smoke / steam coming out of the engine compartment. I pulled over as soon as I could, which was approximately 1 minute later. This is exactly what happened in NHTSA action pe13009. *js”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Aluminum coolant pipe, that is glued into water pump manifold, came loose causing massive loss of coolant all over the road causing slippery conditions for other drivers. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2013
“Coolant hose failure when the vehicle is run medium/hard. I lost 1/2 liter the first couple times in total, and roughly 1 liter of coolant the last time, all over the exhaust and rear driver's side wheel tire. Lucky I did not spin out or have many cars behind me. I captured pictures of the last leak after returning to my garage on 05/03/2013. Prior to the last leak, I had the front radiator replaced and the porsche mechanic pressure tested the coolant system to ensure there were no leaks, as I had mentioned it would leak from near the rear driver's side. He did not find any leaks while the car was off and pressure tested. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2013
“Repair to the engine coolant hard pipes was required to prophylactically prevent failure of the factory epoxy seal. Welding the pipes was required while the engine was out of the vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2013
“Coolant pipe failure at "coolant console" on top of the engine causing all coolant to immediately spill on top the engine, spraying the rear tires causing rear tires to lose traction. The coolant pipe is press fit with what appears to be an adhesive which failed leaving the exit pipe made of steel separated from an aluminum " console or block". The coolant loss was immediate causing total coolant loss. Very disconcerting at 70mph having coolant spray all over the rear tires (particularly the drivers side rear). Causing the rear of the car to slide sideways on a gentle right hand bend on an interstate. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2013
“Factory connection at coolant pipes had come apart due to poor manufacturing process, use of glue. Weeping of coolant at connections. Had shop weld coolant pipes to rectify the imminent issue. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2012
“The coolant line connectors that come out of the engine / block are dislodging from the engine blocks and blowing out all of the coolant in a matter of seconds. Porsche used some sort of adhesive to hold the connectors in the block instead of welding them in; as the cars age and go through lots of heat cycles, the adhesive is wearing out and the connectors are blowing out of the engine block causing a massive coolant dump which can be dangerous if traveling at freeway speeds. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2012
“An epoxied coolant fitting for the engine cooling system failed while driving. This resulted in the sudden loss of most all the engines coolant on the roadway. Permanent fix was to have auto repair shop weld the fitting in place. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2010
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE A LOOSE FITTING IN THE PRESSURE LINE OF THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FITTING TO SPECIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FITTED WITH FRONT SEAT BACKS, WHICH DO NOT MEET PORSCHE'S STRENGTH STANDARDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE FRONT SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 911 Turbo by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. 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.