2002 Porsche 911 Carrera problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (1) · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery (1)
Safety recalls (3)
Suspension:front:macpherson Strut 2020-12-11 · campaign 20E091000 · 584 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: If the pin fails, it will cause separation of the strut from the vehicle, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels 2013-02-26 · campaign 13V063000 · 4 vehicles
Defect: US Specs is recalling one 2002 Porsche Carrera, one 1997 BMW 750IL, and two 1986 BMW 635 CSI vehicles for failing to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, "Rearview Mirrors." While performing conformity-related modifications for the US market, labels with an incorrect size font were applied to the passenger side mirror.
Risk: Drivers of these vehicles may not know the proximity of the objects in the passenger side mirror, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: US Specs will notify owners and correct the statement on the passenger mirror of the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact US Specs at 1-443-502-2331.
Seat Belts:front:retractor 2013-02-26 · campaign 13V064000 · 1 vehicles
Defect: US Specs is recalling one 2002 Porsche Carrera 911. This vehicle fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." After performing conformity-related modifications for the US market, this vehicle was released with passenger seatbelts that lack the required Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) function.
Risk: Without the ALR function, the seatbelts do not allow for the secure installation of a child restraint, which can increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.
Fix: US Specs will notify the owner and replace all of the passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact US Specs at 1-443-502-2331.
Service bulletins (376)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-29 · GR13D801-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
parts information for parts withdrawal - radio & satellite radio receiver. note that part 91164559100 is also applicable to the following models not in the product list: 911 (1970-1989), 914 (1970-1976), 924 (1976-1985), 924s (1986-1988), 928 (1978-1995), 944 (1982-1991), 964 (1989-1994), 968 (1992-
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 28-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c40 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 27-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c20 engine oils. note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c20 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 26-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c30 engine oils. note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which c30 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 25-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche a40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which a40 engine oils are assigned. model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.
Wheels 2026-09-14 · SPTL2609 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
special tools and equipment information for alignment machines - q3 2026 software spec update available
Showing the 6 most recent of 376 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2010-06-23 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 41,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 porsche 911 carrera. the contact stated while driving at 25 mph, there was a loud, abnormal bang. the contact exited the vehicle and found a large oil spill from the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer. the engine and transmission were taken apart to locate the failure. the dealer advised the intermediate main s…”
2010-04-09 · Air Bags · 69,875 mi“erroneous airbag failure error code detected. airbag failure light on dash and airbag failure text also appears on dash. porsche dealer reports that there is a technical service bulletin issued by porsche cars of north america to fix this problem. the fix involves re-wiring the ground system and replacing the seat belt clasps. dealer indicates that…”
2007-10-18 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System“2002 porsche 996 with power steering valve failure. consumer states that the power steering reservoir valve made a high pitched noise. he stated that this failure could cause a fire since the valve is located right over the exhaust and or the turbo. *kb…”
2007-03-29 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery · 8,000 mi · 🔥 fire“put the key in the ignition, turned it to start the vehicle, and the battery completely exploded. acid vapors filled the garage and burned eyes and caused coughing and burning throat sensation. *jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.