1990 Porsche 911 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 1990 Porsche 911 problems
Common problems with the Porsche 911 from 1990, based on complaints from owners, include:
- Interior Electrical Misbehavior: Another common issue reported by owners of the 1990 Porsche 911 is strange electrical misbehavior within the interior systems. This can manifest as interior lights staying on, airbag faults, or seat malfunctions. Often, these problems are linked to a control module located under the driver's seat, which can get water damaged, leading to electrical faults over time.
- Ignition Switch Failure: Owners of the 1990 Porsche 911 have experienced problems with the ignition switch, such as the key getting stuck in the ignition or the car failing to start. These issues are typically caused by failures in the ignition switch mechanism, which may require replacing the electrical or mechanical portions of the switch to resolve the no-start problem.
- Rear Spoiler Malfunction: The rear spoiler in the 1990 Porsche 911 can experience malfunctions, leading to a lopsided spoiler or a "Failure Spoiler Control" warning on the dashboard. While having a functional spoiler that adjusts based on speed is a cool feature, failure in this system can be costly to repair.
These common problems with the 1990 Porsche 911 highlight the importance of thorough maintenance and inspection when owning or considering purchasing this iconic sports car.
Are 90s Porsche reliable?
A 1990 car is almost 30 years old now. If you are used to modern japanese cars' reliability a 30 year old Porsche will disappoint you. If you are coming from a vintage sports car point of view, then yes, it'll be quite reliable.
Are Porsche 911 high maintenance?
RepairPal, a website that compiles data on the costs of vehicle maintenance, estimates that the average Porsche costs around $1,192 per year to repair and maintain. This is about 83% more than the industry average of $652.
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 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.
1990 Porsche 911 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Porsche 911 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Porsche 911 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1990 Porsche 911 complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Porsche 911.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-15
- VIN: WP0CB2968L5
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: HOOD CYLINDER FAILED 2 TIMES, ONCE CAUSING INJURY.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-15
- VIN: WP0CB2968L5
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: TRUNK SUPPORT FAILED TWICE.
1990 Porsche 911 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1990 Porsche 911.
- Manufacturer: PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.
- Components: 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.
- Manufacturer: PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.
- Components: 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.
- Manufacturer: PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THE BALL SOCKETS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE CAN BREAK, ALLOWING THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE TO BECOME DETACHED ON ONE END AND JAM ON NEARBY COMPONENTS, WHICH COULD IMPAIR THROTTLE PLATE OPERATION.
- Consequence: IMPAIRED THROTTLE PLATE OPERATION COULD PREVENT THEENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE, RESULTING IN UNWANTED ENGINE SPEED AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE THE CURRENT PLASTIC BALL SOCKETS WITH A NEW LINKAGE USING STEEL BALL SOCKETS, AND LUBRICATE THE CRUISE CONTROL RELAY LEVER. OWNERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL THE MODIFICATION IS INSTALLED.
- Manufacturer: PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
- Summary: LUGGAGE IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT AND OR PLASTIC TRIM SURROUNDING THE SAFETY LATCH MAY PREVENT THE LATCH ON THE FRONT HOOD FROM PROPERLY LOCKING.
- Consequence: LATCH FAILURE COULD CAUSE HOOD TO OPEN AND OBSTRUCT THEDRIVER'S FRONT VIEW WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE PLASTIC TRIM PIECE AND INSTALL A BRACKET BEHIND THE SAFETY LATCH TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE.
Positive 1990 Porsche 911 car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1990 Porsche 911 problems:
964 Common Problems? - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
Oct 17, 2005 ... 3 - Oil cooler & a/C cooler resistors cracked. 4 - Oil line leaks from tank. 5 - Oil leaks from chain case. 6 - Seat switches dead. 7 - Window ...
1990 Porsche 911 Problems and Complaints - 36 Issues
Top 1990 Porsche 911 Problems · Failed Hood and Deck Lid Supports · Check Engine Light due to faulty oxygen sensor · Engine Oil Leaks · Power steering pump leak ...
Common Porsche 911 problems you need to watch out for - Pomcar
Apr 20, 2019 ... But there are known issues with these cars, such as valve guide wear, secondary air injection faults and oil leaks. Furthermore, transmission ...
How reliable are Porsche 911s? I am helping a friend purchase a ...
Jan 27, 2015 ... Are costly mechanical problems common? ... Is a 1990s Porsche 911 with 100,000 miles ... Does a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S drive better on a dry track ...
1990 Porsche 911 Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
Get 1990 Porsche 911 repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Porsche mechanics near you.
Other years of Porsche 911
Are you having problems with your 1990 Porsche 911?
Buster Bosco 2024-09-28
This car is amazing! It's fast and pretty reliable. I love the styling, and the AWD provides the ultimate traction. It can get a bit unstable at speeds of 120 mph+, but it's very fast at accelerating.
Ottis Bauch 2024-07-14
This 911(964) has been an amazing driving experience since day one, straight from the showroom. The handling is superior, acceleration is instant, brakes are great, and the feel for the road is top-notch. It's been complete fun and has never needed to go to the shop except for scheduled maintenance. I even exchanged test drives with my neighbor who has a Testarossa, and the 911 is superior in every category except top speed. Besides, where can you even drive at 180+ mph? Take the 911!
Mathias Schultz 2024-02-29
This car is so much fun to drive! The AWD keeps everything in check, unlike older 911's that had snap oversteer. The 964 model is the last year of the classic body and one of the last air cooled engines. You can feel every bump in these cars and they corner as if they were on rails. The acceleration is instant and the braking is just as impressive. Just keep in mind that since they are high performance vehicles that are 16 years old, they require regular maintenance.
Alberto Bailey 2024-01-27
I've owned my Targa for three years now, and it's always a pleasure to take it out on weekends and explore new places for the day or even overnight. The car handles perfectly on both the interstate and back country roads. With more than enough luggage space, there's no need to worry about limiting what you want to take due to lack of room. The leg room is fantastic, and when the Targa top is down, cruising down the interstate at 70 mph makes you feel like a million bucks. I especially love the way it hugs the road on sharp turns, although high-performance tires are a must. Lastly, maintenance is minimal, but I service the car like clockwork!