1985 Porsche 944: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
119,722 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 50.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 50.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Engine: 1; Steering: 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 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
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: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 ↗
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 ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V023000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
Reported: 1985-03-01 (March 1, 1985)
METAL BUSHINGS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. ALSO, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BUSHINGS AND THE SHAFT; AND THE LINKAGE POINTS WERE NOT LUBRICATED. THUS, CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE CAN BIND, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK IN A DEPRESSED POSITION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING, WOULD CONTINUE AT SET SPEED AND CAN'T BE REDUCED. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE METAL BUSHINGS WITH THE PLASTIC VERSION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V039000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1985-04-09 (April 9, 1985)
FUEL HOSE MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO TOO MUCH PRESSURE IN CRIMPING THE HOSE END FITTING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A FUEL LEAK COULD DEVELOP WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOSS IN SYSTEM PRESSURE AND ENGINE STALLING. ALSO, FUEL VAPORS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BE IGNITED BY A SPARK AND CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: HOSES WILL BE MODIFIED BY CUTTING OFF THE CRIMPED END FITTING AND REPLACING IT WITH A NIPPLE FITTING SECURED WITH A SCREW TIGHTENED CLAMP.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V061000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 1990-04-02 (April 2, 1990)
THE HOSE MATERIAL USED IN THE SHORT SECTION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE HOSE, BETWEEN THE FUEL RAIL AND FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, IS SUBJECT TO HARDENING, AND COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKS BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE METAL PIPE FITTINGS.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKS COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, OR ANY OTHER SOURCE OF IGNITION, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL LINE HOSE WITH HOSES MADE OF IMPROVED MATERIAL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗