991 common problems and failures. Reference guide.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 215
From: New Hampshire
I have read that the leather panels do not delaminate but the other material does.
Last edited by cpbmd; May 28, 2022 at 03:54 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 260
Likes: 101
From: Central Florida
There is a known problem where the blower fan stops working on 991s. It can be fixed by removing the cover over the cabin filter and reaching down and spinning the fan cage. This problem occurs in humid conditions when the car sits for a couple of days.
Last edited by McLaren997; Jul 1, 2022 at 12:40 AM.
Track Day
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 3
Common Failures Porsche 911
I own a 2017 C2S. Recent issue was a leak in the coolant line under the rear of the car. Overheated and had to have it towed to the dealer. Out of warranty but Porsche paid for it nonetheless "under warranty" which suggests to me that it is an issue with my particular make, model and year? Interestingly, the dealer said that had it not been handled by Porsche, it would have cost me nearly $5,000 to fix.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,125
Likes: 572
From: Alabama
I own a 2017 C2S. Recent issue was a leak in the coolant line under the rear of the car. Overheated and had to have it towed to the dealer. Out of warranty but Porsche paid for it nonetheless "under warranty" which suggests to me that it is an issue with my particular make, model and year? Interestingly, the dealer said that had it not been handled by Porsche, it would have cost me nearly $5,000 to fix.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 20
From: South West Missouri
Coolant line in my 2015 Targa 4S
I noticed a slight leak of coolant in the garage floor
coolant line leak diagnosed car was one month out of CPO and Porsche did the right thing and fixed it last year. Fast forward a year coolant issue return to work shop light came on
this time vacuum line issue it appears that there is a problem with the original crossover valves of which there are up to eight in certain cars with PDK
this time having purchased an top of the line extended warranty I thought I was in the clear. Extended warranty which says it covers everything but maintenance said vacuum lines are hoses and they will not cover. Porsche refuses to address what is quite a common problem as I could find in the threads. $2500 job of which I am on the hook for. Love my car don't wanna play the game of the ADM at this time so I am going to eat the cost. That should be the end of the story except Porsche can't send parts and when they do they send used broken parts and expect them to be installed. Has now been a month. Went to visit last week with my new toy that actually I got a rebate on for being a crossover customer
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Warsaw, Poland
2015 991.1 Carrera 4S - 68k kms
Fantastic car with very few reliability issues. Had to replace the PCM (extended warranty), possibly due to HD failure. And engine hood struts failure last year. But that's about it. I'd like to mention the issues with the Vodaphone security/tracking system which is not really a Porsche issue but it generated a large number of false alarms. More recent systems seem to be more reliable.
Never tracked it but spirited driving.
Fantastic car with very few reliability issues. Had to replace the PCM (extended warranty), possibly due to HD failure. And engine hood struts failure last year. But that's about it. I'd like to mention the issues with the Vodaphone security/tracking system which is not really a Porsche issue but it generated a large number of false alarms. More recent systems seem to be more reliable.
Never tracked it but spirited driving.
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Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 191
Likes: 26
From: Long Island
2014 991.1 25k miles
Recent issue -
Past issues (under warranty) -
Recent issue -
- Left dynamic engine mount failure. Pretty easy DIY fix and paid about $1500 with tax for the part at the dealership. Seems like this is somewhat common (especially left/driver side).
Past issues (under warranty) -
- “Ignition ECU” failed and drained battery a couple weeks into owning the car (early 2017).
- Needed windshield replaced since the rubber edge melted and turned into goo (they refused to change rear even though it exhibited the same issue in a smaller area).
- Air-oil exchanger needed to be changed.
- Rear hood struts.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Annoying - seat cushion and headlamps
I i’ve been having two annoying problems with my seat back cushion and the headlamps. The driver side seat back cushion is always coming loose. It is not a problem to hook it back on, but some thing I shouldn’t have to do. Taking it to the dealership and they will disassemble the seat and see if they can’t figure out how to make it more secure.
Another issue is that my headlamps flicker under heavy braking. The dealership has replicated the problem, but does not know the fix. Taking my car back in so they can get a Porsche factory tech on the line and try to troubleshoot it.
Another issue is that my headlamps flicker under heavy braking. The dealership has replicated the problem, but does not know the fix. Taking my car back in so they can get a Porsche factory tech on the line and try to troubleshoot it.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 694
Likes: 280
From: Orlando, FL
Been skimming this thread for awhile and nothing here is too scary. Is it possible that 991 cars do not have an IMS level issues like 996/997.1 or bore scoring* like 997? I don't see many PDK issues here but the early PDKs were pretty close (I think?) to 997 units and those -- while pretty solid -- do fail and are pricey. T-Design has now offered a solution to the PDK issue which can facilitate repair vs replace. Maybe 991 cars are just not old enough to show their weak spots?
All that said, I feel like these cars are damn good and given what some folks are saying about Fidelity or Freedom warranties, buying a few year old car sounds like a pretty low risk endeavor and most 911 budge levels. Have I got this wrong?
*edit - I realize the actual incidence of bore scoring is not well known but it does occur and there are a lot of theories about how to avoid it and what causes it, differing between 997.1 and 997.2 cars. One looks for this when purchasing...
All that said, I feel like these cars are damn good and given what some folks are saying about Fidelity or Freedom warranties, buying a few year old car sounds like a pretty low risk endeavor and most 911 budge levels. Have I got this wrong?
*edit - I realize the actual incidence of bore scoring is not well known but it does occur and there are a lot of theories about how to avoid it and what causes it, differing between 997.1 and 997.2 cars. One looks for this when purchasing...
Last edited by cbredesen; Dec 17, 2022 at 12:56 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 1,413
From: SW Florida
Not enough time to drive them is the biggest problem.
On my 14 Pcar 911. Cars are generally rock solid and a pleasure to own. Look the car over closely especially if you have any warranty left and then drive it as much as you can.
On my 14 Pcar 911. Cars are generally rock solid and a pleasure to own. Look the car over closely especially if you have any warranty left and then drive it as much as you can.
Last edited by Penn4S; Dec 18, 2022 at 08:34 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 14
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
2016 991.1 GTS cab. I love the car and just today, I crossed 49,000 miles on it. But I have had my share of issues over the years (in no particular order):
The rear window does not always come up when I put the cab top up. It goes back and forth several times and then goes back down. Very annoying. Again, Porsche poo poo'd this and said everything is working fine, nothing to see here.
The rear window does not always come up when I put the cab top up. It goes back and forth several times and then goes back down. Very annoying. Again, Porsche poo poo'd this and said everything is working fine, nothing to see here.