Porsche 944 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1983 to 1991 model years. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 10 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Engine: 2; Steering: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1; Seat Belts:Rear/Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10808141 · 2015-12-03 (December 3, 2015)
THE STEERING COUPLER, MANUFACTURER'S PART NUMBER 944 347 027 01 - DRIVE SHAFT, HAS FAILED. DURING A VEHICLE INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CARDAN JOINT IS LOOSE AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AS IT HAS ON MY OTHER 944. NO ACCIDENT HAS RESULTED. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED.
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10808134 · 2015-12-03 (December 3, 2015)
DURING TURNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WILL SOMETIMES "LOCK" OR "JAM". IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED STEERING COUPLER, MANUFACTURER'S PART NUMBER 944 347 027 01 - DRIVE SHAFT. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRUTE FORCE THE STEERING. A WOMAN WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, I MY HUMBLE OPINION. NO ACCIDENT HAS RESULTED. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED.
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480945 · 1995-01-11 (January 11, 1995)
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS WHEN BRAKING. "DUP: SEE 956540". *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500184 · 2013-02-26 (February 26, 2013)
I WAS DRIVING ALONG IN MY RECENTLY PURCHASED PORSCHE 944, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE ENTIRE UNDERHOOD AREA IS A COMPLETE LOSS. THERE WERE NO LEAKS, AND THE WIRING DID NOT HAVE ANY VISIBLE PROBLEMS. UNTIL YOU EXPERIENCE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YOU DO NOT REALIZE JUST HOW TERRIFYING IT IS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 144,443 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500184 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 |
1983: 2; 1984: 2; 1985: 3; 1986: 2; 1987: 1; 1988: 2; 1989: 0; 1991: 1