PORSCHE 911 · model year

2004 PORSCHE 911

10 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004PORSCHE911 carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 911 is engine with 6 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (1) and engine and engine cooling (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2004 911. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

10
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

10 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
POWER TRAIN1

Recent Complaints

20220321ENGINE

Yesterday as I was driving in freeway, my friend was following me from behind, he noticed smoke and coolant leaking making his car's windshield dirty. So we stopped at gas station and noticed good amount of coolant leakage from underneath which make the back of the car and tires big mess. I noticed, before my friend's call, the handling and grip of the car was little off, I didn't know why but then I realized leaking made the tires slippery. Tow the car to my house and just wanted to report this. It seems lot of people complain about this issue when I started reading about it last night.

20131011ENGINE

THE M96 MOTOR SUPPLIED WITH THIS VEHICLE LINE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS. ENGINE BLOCK LEAKS THE BLOCK IS POROUS. RESLEEVED CYLINDERS WERE MAKER FIX ,THE SLEEVES MOVED CAUSING ENGINE DESTRUCTION. A MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARING WAS DESIGNED OUT. ALLOWING THE CRANKSHAFT TO MOVE FRT TO BACK AND WITH GRAVITY CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE REAR MAIN SEAL COULD NOT FIX IF CRANK HAD MOVED MORE THAN A FEW DEGREES FROM ORIG SPEC.PRIMARY PROBLEM IMS( INTERMEDIATE SHAFT) FAILURE. RESULT, COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF MOTOR. NO FIX FROM MANUFACTURE. AFTER MARKET ONLY SUPPLY. OVER TEN THOUSAND AFTER MARKET REPAIRS DONE.CONSERVATIVE APX COST $,3000 I HAVE MUCH MORE EVIDENCE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20131006ENGINE

MY GT3 HAS COOLING PIPE ON THE ENGINE EXTERNAL TO THE BLOCK. I HAVE READ THIS IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE USED IN GT3 AND TURBOS (METZGER MOTOR). A FITTING COMES LOOSE DUE TO ADHESIVE FAILURE RESULTING I LOSS OF ALL OR MOST OF THE COOLANT FLUID. THE REPAIR REQUIRES ENGINE REMOVAL AND REPAIR OF THE FITTINGS. THERE IS SOME ISSUE AS TO THE PROPER OR BEST REPAIR APPROACH. WHAT IS KNOW IS THAT THE ADHESIVE FAILURE IS ALMOST SURE TO OCCUR. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AS I HAVE FEW MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT YET EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE, BUT VERY CONCERNED THIS WILL OCCUR AND THE SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT FLUID WILL MOST LIKE RESULT IN A SPINOUT OR CRASH. EVEN IF NO ACCIDENT WERE TO RESULT, I AM OUT OF NORMAL WARRANTY, THIS FAILURE WILL SET ME BACK $1500-2000. I HAVE FOLLOWED REPORTS OF THE NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THESE FITTINGS ON 6SPEEDONLINE.COM. AS I HAVE NOT YET HAD A FAILURE, I STILL WANT TO REGISTER MY CONCERN SHOULD THERE BE A NHTSA DIRECTED RECALL TO PORSCHE. *TR

Mileage: 17,042

20130530CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

THE EVENT HAPPENED IN 2008. PURCHASED PORSCHE GT 3 FROM PORSCHE DEALER IN 2006. ACCELERATING ONTO A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY FROM AN ENTRANCE RAMP THE CAR MADE A VIOLENT FISHTAIL MOVEMENT IN A COUNTERCLOCWISE DIRECTION CAUSING A 180 DEG. SPIN. I TRIED TO CORRECT BUT NO RESPONSE AND THEN APPLIED BRAKES HEAVILY BUT CAR CONTINUED ITS MOVEMENT EVENTUALLY HITTING A CONCRETE BARRIER IN THE RIGHT REAR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND EVENTUALLY TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. AT THE IMPACT SITE I DID NOTICE FLUID ON THE ROAD AND ALSO BACK UP THE ROAD. SINCE MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, I WAS MORE FOCUSED ON TENDING TO HER BUT AS I LOOK BACK AND ALSO READING ABOUT THE COOLANT PROBLEMS THIS CAR IS HAVING I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THIS CAR HAD A DISCHARGE OF COOLING FLUID. AS A SIDE NOTE, I DO HOLD A COMPETITION DRIVERS LICENSE WITH THE SCCA AND HAVE COMPETED FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED PORSCHES FOR OVER 40 YEARS. I PRESENTLY OWN ANOTHER 2004 GT 3 AND VERY CON

Mileage: 12,000

20130530CrashENGINE

THE EVENT HAPPENED IN 2008. PURCHASED PORSCHE GT 3 FROM PORSCHE DEALER IN 2006. ACCELERATING ONTO A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY FROM AN ENTRANCE RAMP THE CAR MADE A VIOLENT FISHTAIL MOVEMENT IN A COUNTERCLOCWISE DIRECTION CAUSING A 180 DEG. SPIN. I TRIED TO CORRECT BUT NO RESPONSE AND THEN APPLIED BRAKES HEAVILY BUT CAR CONTINUED ITS MOVEMENT EVENTUALLY HITTING A CONCRETE BARRIER IN THE RIGHT REAR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND EVENTUALLY TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. AT THE IMPACT SITE I DID NOTICE FLUID ON THE ROAD AND ALSO BACK UP THE ROAD. SINCE MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, I WAS MORE FOCUSED ON TENDING TO HER BUT AS I LOOK BACK AND ALSO READING ABOUT THE COOLANT PROBLEMS THIS CAR IS HAVING I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THIS CAR HAD A DISCHARGE OF COOLING FLUID. AS A SIDE NOTE, I DO HOLD A COMPETITION DRIVERS LICENSE WITH THE SCCA AND HAVE COMPETED FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED PORSCHES FOR OVER 40 YEARS. I PRESENTLY OWN ANOTHER 2004 GT 3 AND VERY CON

Mileage: 12,000

20130530CrashPOWER TRAIN

THE EVENT HAPPENED IN 2008. PURCHASED PORSCHE GT 3 FROM PORSCHE DEALER IN 2006. ACCELERATING ONTO A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY FROM AN ENTRANCE RAMP THE CAR MADE A VIOLENT FISHTAIL MOVEMENT IN A COUNTERCLOCWISE DIRECTION CAUSING A 180 DEG. SPIN. I TRIED TO CORRECT BUT NO RESPONSE AND THEN APPLIED BRAKES HEAVILY BUT CAR CONTINUED ITS MOVEMENT EVENTUALLY HITTING A CONCRETE BARRIER IN THE RIGHT REAR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND EVENTUALLY TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. AT THE IMPACT SITE I DID NOTICE FLUID ON THE ROAD AND ALSO BACK UP THE ROAD. SINCE MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, I WAS MORE FOCUSED ON TENDING TO HER BUT AS I LOOK BACK AND ALSO READING ABOUT THE COOLANT PROBLEMS THIS CAR IS HAVING I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THIS CAR HAD A DISCHARGE OF COOLING FLUID. AS A SIDE NOTE, I DO HOLD A COMPETITION DRIVERS LICENSE WITH THE SCCA AND HAVE COMPETED FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED PORSCHES FOR OVER 40 YEARS. I PRESENTLY OWN ANOTHER 2004 GT 3 AND VERY CON

Mileage: 12,000

20130502ENGINE

THE ABOVE CAR HAS A FACTORY WATER COOLING SYSTEM THAT INVOLVES ALUMINUM PIPING THAT IS EPOXIED INTO THE BLOCK AFTER APPROXIMATELY 24 MONTHS OF USE THE EPOXY FAILS AND ALL THE COOLANT IS EVACUATED FROM THE SYSTEM ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND THE GROUND THE MOTOR COULD SEIZE AND THE COOLANT ON THE ROAD IN THAT VOLUME CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR OTHER DRIVERS.THE EPOXY FIX OFFERED BY PORSCHE FAILED 3 TIMES FOR ME (TWICE MORE SUBSEQUENTLY)UNTIL I HAD A SHOP WELD THE ALUMINUM PIPES TO THE BLOCK. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

Mileage: 15,000

20130107ENGINE

THE COOLANT LINES ARE GLUED IN BY FACTORY TO SAVE COSTS. HOWEVER THE GLUE IS FAILING AND THE COOLANT LINES POP OUT AND ANTI FREEZE IS DUMPED EVERYWHERE CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION . PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THEIR PROBLEM BUT DOING MOTHING ABOUT RECALLING OLDER CARS TO BE REPAIRED. I PAID TO REPAIR MY CAR INDEPENDENTLY BUT PORSCHE OWNERS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO REPORT THIS SAFERY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 21,000

20110901ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 30 MILES PER HOUR AT A LOW RPM, I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. INITIALLY I THOUGHT ROAD DEBRIS WAS CAUGHT UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND I WAS DRAGGING IT ALONG WHILE DRIVING. I QUICKLY TURNED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE MOTOR OFF. UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE I NOTICED ALL OF THE ENGINE'S OIL SPEWING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND ARRANGED FOR A TOW VEHICLE. I THOUGHT AN OBJECT STRUCK THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY CAR. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND DETERMINED TO BE A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. NO EVIDENCE OF A ROAD HAZARD PERFORATING THE ENGINE WAS SEEN. SINCE I FILED THIS LETTER I HAVE LEARNED THAT MY ENGINE SUFFERED AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FAILURE. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE M96 PORSCHE ENGINES (1999-2009). THIS DEFECT OCCURS IN WATER COOLED PORSCHE ENGINES. PORSCHE MOTOR COMPANY DENIES RESPONSIBILITY IN THESE VEHICLES BUT RECOGNIZES THAT ENGINE FAILURE DO OCCUR. I HAVE

Mileage: 41,666

20110721ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN HEARD A WEIRD NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AND A MESSAGE IN RED CAME UP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, LOST POWER TO ENGINE, PULLED OVER AND OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. ENGINE COMPLETELY DESTROYED DUE TO IMS FAILURE. ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH RE-MANUFACTURED ENGINE BY DEALER. *KB

Mileage: 12,000

Compare 2004PORSCHE911 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 PORSCHE 911 have?
The 2004 PORSCHE 911 has 10 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 PORSCHE 911?
The most-complained component for the 2004 PORSCHE 911 is ENGINE with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2004 PORSCHE 911 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.