Porsche 911 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Porsche 911 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (1) and the 2007 the most (46).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Engine | — | 15–22 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
1 | 2 | Lane departure | — | 16–21 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Power train | — | 15–21 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 3 | Exterior lighting | — | 16–23 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 2 | Back over prevention | — | 16–25 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 | Engine | — | 16–25 |
| 2008 | 3 | 1 | Engine | — | 18–19 |
| 2010 | 3 | 2 | Engine | — | 16–22 |
| 2014 | 3 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | 17–23 |
| 2023 | 3 | 8 | Electrical system | — | 16–21 |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 19–22 |
| 2017 | 5 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 21–25 |
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | Engine | — | 20 |
| 2021 | 5 | 6 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 17–21 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
5 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 15–21 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
6 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | 19–23 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
8 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 17–23 |
| 2022 | 10 | 7 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 16–21 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
46 | 0 | Engine | — | 18 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Porsche 911 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Porsche 911: 46 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 38 (83%); Engine and engine cooling 6 (13%); Power train 2 (4%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 36,125 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Porsche 911: 8 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 4 (50%); Engine 3 (38%); Power train 1 (13%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Porsche 911: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 3 (50%); Air bags 1 (17%); Engine 1 (17%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
The Porsche 911 years with the fewest complaints
2016 Porsche 911: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 1 (50%); Visibility/wiper 1 (50%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Porsche 911: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Back over prevention 1 (50%); Electrical system 1 (50%).
2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Porsche 911 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36,125 |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Porsche 911 recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2020–2025 model years; 172,107 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2025; 25V896000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT RETRACTORS (1983–1984 model years; 26,300 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 1983; 83V111000)
- Improper CRS Instructions in Owner's Manual (2014–2019 model years; 15,501 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2019; 19V875000)
- PORSCHE/STEERING; COLUMN (1989–1993 model years; 12,538 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 1996; 96V147000)
- HEATER:WATER:DEFROSTER:DEFOGGER:CIRCUIT BREAKER FU (1989–1992 model years; 11,346 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 1993; 93V204000)
All 42 Porsche 911 recall campaigns · Porsche 911 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Porsche 911 years FAQ
Which Porsche 911 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Porsche 911 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2015 and 2013 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Porsche 911 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (62 of 121 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Porsche 911 have?
NHTSA lists 42 recall campaigns covering the Porsche 911. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Porsche 911 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.