2008 Porsche 911 turbo problems
The Porsche 911 (pronounced Nine Eleven or in German: Neunelf) is a two-door 2+2 high performance rear-engined sports car introduced in September 1964 by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a rear-mounted flat-six engine and originally a torsion bar suspension. The car has been continuously enhanced through the years but the basic concept has remained unchanged. The engines were air-cooled until the introduction of the 996 series in 1998.
The 911 has been raced extensively by private and factory teams, in a variety of classes. It is among the most successful competition cars. In the mid-1970s, the naturally aspirated 911 Carrera RSR won world championship races including Targa Florio and the 24 Hours of Daytona. The 911-derived 935 turbo also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979. Porsche won the World Championship for Makes in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979 with 911-derived models.
In a 1999 poll to determine the Car of the Century, the 911 was fifth. It is one of two in the top five that had remained continuously in production (the original Beetle remained in production until 2003). The one millionth example was manufactured in May 2017 and is in the company's permanent collection.
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Common 2008 Porsche 911 turbo problems
The Porsche 911 Turbo 2008, part of the 997 generation, is known for its performance and pedigree, but like any car, it has its share of common problems. These issues can be fixed, and with proper maintenance, the 911 Turbo can become a fantastic daily driver.
- Bad Service History: A thorough examination of a car's service history is crucial when buying a used car, especially when considering older versions of the 997. If you're concerned about bore scoring, request a borescope inspection.
- Cracked Coil Packs: A misfiring engine is a common issue in the 997 models, including the 911 Turbo. Cracked coil packs are the most common cause, and replacements are relatively inexpensive.
- Faulty Alternator Cables: Early Porsche 997 models may experience decreased battery life and run-time due to faulty alternator cables. Upgrading to a more robust cable is a straightforward fix, but routing can be tricky on 997s.
- Damaged Radiators: Coolant radiators and aircon condensers in the nose of the 997 are prone to leakage. Always check the radiator's condition with the previous owner or a specialist.
- Engine Abuse: Rust isn't a significant issue with 911s, but engine abuse can be. A decent specialist can check how many times the engine has been over-revved and the cause of any misfires. Failed engines in Gen 1 997s can result in a bill of £8,000 or more for a new unit.
- Coolant Leaks: Leaking radiators, hoses, and water pumps are common issues in the 911, particularly in the 997 generation. Regular maintenance and inspection can help prevent these problems.
- Oil Leaks: Porsche vehicles, including the 911, are known for oil leaks from various sources, such as rear main seals, valve covers, spark plug seals, and turbo oil supply line seals. Regular inspection and maintenance can help identify and address these leaks.
- Brake Discs Corrosion: Brake discs can corrode on the inside, especially if a car isn't regularly driven. Regular inspection and maintenance are essential to prevent this issue.
- Tire Wear: Uneven tire wear, particularly on the inside edges, can be a problem in the 911. Regular tire rotation and inspection can help ensure even wear and prolong tire life.
Is the 911 Turbo reliable?
According to motorbiscuit.com, the Porsche 911 is one of the most dependable cars you could own, even more reliable than some traditional options from Honda. It's one of the best choices if you want to purchase a luxury sports car with some history. There are some issues with the Porsche 911, as with any vehicle.
What years did Porsche have engine problems?
The Porsche IMS bearing problem years are from 1997 to 2005, with the M96 or M97 engine in these models being particularly susceptible. The single-row bearing used from model year 2000 through 2005 is of the greatest concern. However, any IMS bearing can and will fail if not replaced as part of regular maintenance.
What are bad years for Porsche 911?
Quick Answer: Avoid 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005 Porsche 996s
With such big changes to the chassis, engine, cooling system, and front suspension, you might expect there to be tons of problems with the 996 generation of Porsche 911.
What is the problem with the Porsche 911 996 turbo?
The 996 has a turbo coolant pipe strong enough to deal with the pressure, but the epoxy Porsche used for the fittings would often fail and allow massive coolant leaks, which can cause major problems. A bad turbo coolant pipe can cause a large loss of coolant, which can lead to overheating and extensive engine damage.
2008 Porsche 911 turbo car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Porsche 911 turbo problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Power train problems
- Structure problems
- Visibility problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2008 Porsche 911 turbo vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2008 Porsche 911 turbo complaints
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2008 Porsche 911 turbo.
STRUCTURE,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-11-29
- VIN: WP0CD29958S
- Components: STRUCTURE,ENGINE
- Summary: Catastrophic coolant loss due to failure of a known issue by manufacturer. The coolant loss resulted due to failure of the epoxy that held the hose to the manifold. The epoxy failure affected 3 of the hoses. This was part of a DOT bulletin affecting this model year. Failure on my vehicle came later after warranty had expired due to low mileage. Also in 2021 the rear lid spoiler failed (another known high failure issue known to manufacturer) due to hydraulic fluid loss. Both repairs came at a extremely high cost and manufacturer refused consideration for help unless vehicle was repaired at their own dealer. This after I had made contact and advised them of location of vehicle at a service facility that is recognized by manufacturer as a credible alternative to their dealer.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-05-06
- VIN: WP0AD29958S
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: LOST ALL THE FLUID WHILE DRIVING ENGINE HOSE FELL OUT OF FITTING COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS FROM WHAT I READ. SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME LOST CONTROL OF CAR THANK GOD I DIDN'T NOT SMASH.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-05-28
- VIN: WP0AD29908S
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: COMMON COOLANT LEAK, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, HAD TO PULL OVER AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED, VEHICLES WAS POURING COOLANT OUT.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-08-20
- VIN: WP0CB29998S
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: FLYWHEEL BROKE THREE TIMES: 1ST REPLACEMENT: THE CAR WAS 20 MONTHS OLD, 16,515 MILES. 2ND REPLACEMENT: THE CAR WAS 37 MONTHS OLD AND HAD 37, 355 MILES (21,000 MILES LATER). 3RD REPLACEMENT: THE CAR WAS 49 MONTHS OLD AND HAD 49,624 MILES (12,000 LATER). *TR
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-07-16
- VIN: WP0CD29938S
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: COOLANT FITTING FAILURE ON THE GT3/GT2/TURBO GLUED IN FITTINGS. *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-03-02
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 2008 PORSCHE TURBO, CLUTCH PEDAL FAILURE. CLUTCH BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE AT SPEED. WRESTLED CAR OUT OF GEAR AND MOVED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CLUTCH FLUID LOW, NO VISIBLE LEAKS. REFILLED, CLUTCH OPERATED FINE. REPORTED TO DEALER, NO PROBLEM FOUND. CLUTCH FAILED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER, NO LEAKS FOUND BUT FLUID MISSING. DEALER REFILLED AND CLUTCH OPERATED OK. 2 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM, NO VISIBLE LEAKS, LOW CLUTCH FLUID. MANY, MANY 997 TURBO OWNERS ARE REPORTING SIMILAR EVENTS ON WEB FORUMS. *TR
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-01-04
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: WP0CB29938S
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: I BOUGHT A NEW 2008 PORSCHE 911 4S CONVERTIBLE. WHEN IT HAD 450 MILES ON IT AND I WAS DRIVING IT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED AND GLASS WENT ALL OVER MYSELF, IN THE CAR, AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. IT CAUSED PAINT DAMAGE ALL OVER THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR FINISH. I RECEIVED CUTS TO MYSELF AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. NOTHING HIT THE GLASS, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME. WE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED PORSCHE NA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE CAR ALSO HAS A VIBRATION THAT I THINK MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. IT TOOK TWO WEEKS AND SEVEN CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO GET ANYONE AT PORSCHE TO REPLY. THEY HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO PORSHE OF ORLANDO. PORSCHE OF ORLANDO REPLACED THE WINDOW THEN TOLD PORSCHE NA THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AMANDA AT PORSCHE CALLED US AND TOLD US TO PICK UP THE CAR AND TURN IT INTO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AS THEY WILL DO NOTHING MORE. REGARDLESS IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR OR IF IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PIECE OF GLASS PORSCHE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE DAMAGED PAINT AND FIXING THE INTERIOR (SCRATCHED INTERIOR PIECES, TORN SEAT.) THE CAR ALSO HAS A DIMENISHED VALUE NOW THAT IT HAS TO BE PAINTED AND IT IS NOT WORTH WHAT IT WAS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. A PIECE OF DRIVER'S SIDE GLASS SHOULD NOT BREAK BY ITSELF WITH NOT CAUSE. PORSCHE WILL NOT EVEN OFFER ANY SUGGESTIONS AT TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. I BELIEVE A GOOD CAR COMPANY WITH DECENT CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD HAVE OFFERED TO REPLACE THE CAR WITH A NON-DEFECTIVE CAR OR PURCHASE IT BACK SINCE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DEFECT. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS TO ME AGAIN AND I AM SERIOUSLY INJURED NEXT TIME? I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR. I GUESS PORSCHE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT SAFETY OR CUSTOMER SERVICE. *CN
2008 Porsche 911 turbo recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2008 Porsche 911 turbo.
- Manufacturer: Tenneco Automotive
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
- Summary: Ohlins USA, Inc (Ohlins) is recalling certain Front Struts, part number POS 5N20. These struts were sold as part of Ohlins strut kits part number POZ MN02, intended for installation on 1999-2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 996), and 2001-2006 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 996) and kit part number POZ MN05, intended for installation on 2005-2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 997), and 2006-2013 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 997). The pin of the strut may experience excessive stress during maximum steering, possibly resulting breakage of the pin.
- Consequence: If the pin fails, it will cause separation of the strut from the vehicle, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ohlins will notify owners, and dealers will request the return of all unsold kits containing the subject part from dealer/distributor inventory for a full refund. All owners who purchased one of the kits (POZ MN02 or POZ MN05) will receive replacement front struts (POS 5N20 or POS 5N21 - These parts are interchangeable), along with new top mount interface solutions, free of charge. The recall began December 22, 2020. Owners may contact Ohlins customer service at 1-800-336-9029.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2008 Porsche 911 turbo problems:
First Porsche Car - Considering 2007/2008 Turbo? - Rennlist ...
Jun 28, 2011 ... ... 911 turbo as your first porsche... here in ... I've had no major problems with the ... The 996 and 997.1 (911s) you might have issues with IMS.
Tech Q&A - What Percent Of 2008 911 Carreras Have Issues With ...
May 9, 2023 ... I have a 2008 911 Carrera, I perform regular maintenance on it per Porsche guidelines. Unfortunately after I bought my car in April 2012 ...
IMS Failure Question on 2008 - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
Apr 19, 2013 ... 997 Forum - IMS Failure Question on 2008 - is the IMS bearing failure a common problem on 2008 911 or was it more of a problem in earlier ...
Any common problems with 2001 Porsche 911 turbo? - 6SpeedOnline
Jul 18, 2010 ... 996 Turbo / GT2 - Any common problems with 2001 Porsche 911 turbo? - Hi I'm looking to buy a 2001 porsche 911 turbo, and just curious if ...
2009 911 Turbo Reliability - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
Aug 25, 2014 ... Some common problems include clutch slave cylinder, rear spoiler hydraulics, and coolant pipe fittings on top of the engine. Some plastic ...
Other years of Porsche 911 turbo
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