Before you buy a used Porsche 911 (991).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 2 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- They all depend on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 9 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 2 of its engines.
- Metallic creak at the rear from the rear shock absorber top mountSuspension and steering
- Period mentioned
- 2017–2018
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Only 2017–2018.
Applies if: Only the Turbo and Turbo S from 2017–2018, not the GT3.
- Hydraulic tensioner, cooling, coils and gearbox on the 911 (991)Known weak points
- Period mentioned
- 2012–2019
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: 991-generation 911.
Carrera 3.4 / 3.8 / 3.0 turbo · Turbo / GT3 (3.8 / 4.0)
Petrol
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| Carrera 3.4 / 3.8 / 3.0 turboPetrol | 22 with conditions | 9 |
| Turbo / GT3 (3.8 / 4.0)Petrol | 22 with conditions | 9 |
According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Porsche dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Airbag control unit electrical faultPassive safety / electronics
How to check it: Inspect the unit and replace it if the recall-described electrical fault is found.
View full entryPorsche airbag and seat-belt recalls (2007–2025)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche brake recalls (2004–2024)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche fuel-system recalls (2004–2025)Fuel system
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2007–2025)Suspension and steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche engine, transmission and software recalls (2006–2026)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2012–2023)Electrical and electronic systems
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche body, seat and fitting recalls (2004–2023)Bodywork
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche other recalls (2017–2019)Bodywork
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Suspension and steering
Look out for: A metallic creak around the top of the rear wheel when going over speed bumps or potholes.
Ask them to check: Note when it creaks (speed bumps, potholes, turning). At the garage, have them remove and inspect the rear spring and shock absorber assembly (insert, top mount, spring and shock absorber) before looking at other parts.
Known weak points
Look out for: Misfires (coils), the engine cutting out when hot (crankshaft sensor), oil on the auxiliary belt (hydraulic tensioner, early 991.1), water-pump and turbo coolant-line leaks (early 991.2), a thermostat stuck open with the engine light, notchy shifts on the 7-speed manual or PDK warnings.
Ask them to check: Check the history of the water pump, turbo lines and thermostat; read codes; check the PDK service and campaigns by VIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Metallic creak at the rear from the rear shock absorber top mount
- Hydraulic tensioner, cooling, coils and gearbox on the 911 (991)
- Airbag control unit electrical fault
- Porsche airbag and seat-belt recalls (2007–2025)
- Porsche brake recalls (2004–2024)
- Porsche fuel-system recalls (2004–2025)
- Porsche wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2007–2025)
- Porsche engine, transmission and software recalls (2006–2026)
- Porsche electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2012–2023)
- Porsche body, seat and fitting recalls (2004–2023)
- Porsche other recalls (2017–2019)
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