1991 Porsche Carrera recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, THE REAR HEATER WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPERATE IN ORDER TO DISSIPATE HEAT IN THE ENGINE HEATING SYSTEM. DURING THIS OPERATION, THE RESISTOR FOR THE REAR HEATER BLOWER CAN BECOME OVERLOADED DUE TO A BINDING OR SEIZED REAR HEATER BLOWER.
What could happen: THE OVERLOADED RESISTOR CAN CREATE HEAT SUFFICIENT TOIGNITE THE PLASTIC AIR PIPE TO WHICH IT IS CONNECTED, RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
The fix: PORSCHE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW RESISTOR CONTAINING A CIRCUIT BREAKER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 CARRERA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Porsche dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V204000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Summary: AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, THE REAR HEATER WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPERATE IN ORDER TO DISSIPATE HEAT IN THE ENGINE HEATING SYSTEM. DURING THIS OPERATION, THE RESISTOR FOR THE REAR HEATER BLOWER CAN BECOME OVERLOADED DUE TO A BINDING OR SEIZED REAR HEATER BLOWER.
Consequence: THE OVERLOADED RESISTOR CAN CREATE HEAT SUFFICIENT TOIGNITE THE PLASTIC AIR PIPE TO WHICH IT IS CONNECTED, RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: PORSCHE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW RESISTOR CONTAINING A CIRCUIT BREAKER.
Notes: SYSTEM: HEATER; WATER; DEFROSTER; CIRCUIT BREAKER.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT PORSCHE SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-545-8039. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONALHIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. A PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER UNIVERSAL JOINT CRACKED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN NOISE AND FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR CRACKS AND WILL REPLACE CRACKED JOINTS WITH NEW PARTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 CARRERA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Porsche dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V147000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Summary: A PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER UNIVERSAL JOINT CRACKED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN NOISE AND FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR CRACKS AND WILL REPLACE CRACKED JOINTS WITH NEW PARTS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 1996.
NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1991 Porsche Carrera owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
08/04/2009 · Airbags
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN MY 1991 PORSCHE CARRERA 2 AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED, SEVERELY BRUISING MY CHEST, HURTING MY NECK, AND BURNING MY LEGS WITH SOME SORT OF A BURNING CHEMICAL. I REPORTED IT TO PORSCHE WHO EVENTUALLY CAME AND GOT THE CAR, KEPT IT FOR 4-5 MONTHS, AND CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED S…