Model year record

2002 Porsche 911 Carrera recalls & problems

The 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera has 3 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaint).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints4filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionDec 11, 2020

Front › Macpherson strut

Recall 20E091000584 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

EquipmentFeb 26, 2013

Other › Labels

Recall 13V0630004 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Components: Equipment › Other › Labels; Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior

Seat beltsFeb 26, 2013

Front › Retractor

Recall 13V0640001 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Components: Seat belts › Front › Retractor; Seat belts

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

911 Carrera

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

911 Carrera

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

911 Carrera Cabriolet

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

911 Carrera Cabriolet

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

911 Carrera 4S

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

911 Carrera 4S

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery	1	1	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	1	0	—
Air bags	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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 SHAFT (IMF) HAD COLLAPSED AND EXPLODED, KILLING THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000.
Jun 6, 2010 · 41,000 miles
Air bags
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 THIS WOULD COST ME $850 TO HAVE THIS REPAIR WORK DONE. DEALER RESET THE ERROR CODE BUT IT RE-APPEARED THE FOLLOWING DAY INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT. PORSCHE SHOULD FIX THIS ADMITTED DEFECT FOR FREE AND ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. IGNORING THE FALSE FAILURE INDICATION MAY VERY WELL MASK MORE SERIOUS…
Apr 8, 2010 · 69,875 miles
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
Jan 1, 1901
Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v batteryFire
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
Mar 28, 2007 · 8,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.