2001 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 2001 Porsche 911 problems
The Porsche 911, particularly the 2001 model, has earned a reputation for reliability among supercars, but certain issues can still arise due to the car's high-performance nature and age. Here are some common problems with the Porsche 911 2001, based on complaints from owners and expert analysis:
- Oil Leaks: Porsche vehicles, including the 911, are known for regular sources of oil leaks, with the most common being the rear main seal, valve covers, spark plug seals, and turbo oil supply line seals. These leaks can result in reduced engine performance, increased maintenance costs, and potential engine damage if not addressed promptly.
- Interior Electrical Misbehavior: The 911 models, including the 2001 version, can sometimes exhibit strange electrical misbehavior of interior systems, such as interior lights staying on, air bag faults, and seat malfunctions. This issue can often be traced back to a single control module located under the driver's seat, which can become water damaged due to its proximity to the driver door and window.
- Ignition Switch Failure: The ignition switch in the Porsche 911 2001 can fail, causing issues such as the key becoming stuck in the ignition or the car not starting. This problem is typically caused by a failure in the ignition switch mechanism and can be solved by replacing the electrical portion of the switch or, in some cases, the mechanical portion as well.
- Rear Spoiler Malfunction: The rear spoiler in the Porsche 911 2001 can malfunction, resulting in a lopsided appearance or a "failure spoiler control" warning on the dashboard. This issue can be expensive to repair, as it may require replacing the slave cylinder or other components of the spoiler control system.
- Engine Issues: The M96 engine in the Porsche 911 2001 can experience issues such as bore scoring, which can be identified using a bore scope during a potential purchase . Additionally, chain guides and chain tensioners may need to be replaced, especially if plastic bits are found in the oil filter or oil pan during oil changes. These issues can result in higher maintenance costs and more challenging repairs for amateur mechanics.
While these common problems can be concerning, it is important to note that the Porsche 911 2001 is generally reliable and has aged gracefully. Many of the cars available now have already had the necessary work done to address known issues. Additionally, the 911 996 is expected to appreciate in value over time, making it a potentially sound investment for Porsche enthusiasts.
Is a 2001 Porsche 911 a good car?
It's an awesome car and it's as much fun to drive as brand new 911. Not cluttered with high tech electronics it's a simple blood and guts manual transmission sports car. It has nearly as much torque (259 lb feet) as horsepower (300). It might be the last affordable 911.
Are old Porsche 911 reliable?
Spare parts are still easy to find but expensive when purchased from dealers. Properly maintained, early 911s can be reliable daily drivers that are bound to turn more heads than their modern counterparts, particularly in loud period colors.
Is a Porsche 911 expensive to maintain?
Yes, Porsches are expensive to maintain compared to most automakers' vehicles. Estimates from RepairPal show maintaining a Porsche costs an average of about 83% more than the industry average.
Which Porsche to stay away from?
Porsche 996 (1998–2004)
The 911 used the first very first water-cooled engine (considered a sacrilege to Porsche purists), and "egg-shaped" headlights were not favored by some Porsche enthusiasts. The early 996 models, introduced in 1997, came in a rear-wheel-drive Carrera coupe or cabriolet.
2001 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:
- Engine problems
- Air bags problems
- Exterior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2001 Porsche 911 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2001 Porsche 911 complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2001 Porsche 911.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-28
- VIN: WPOCA29921S
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 50,000 MILES. IN SHOP BECAUSE OF SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND AN OIL CHANGE. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT AN IMS BEARING IS THROWING OFF BRASS FLAKES WHICH I COULD SEE IN THE OIL FILTER. THIS PROBLEM WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. EVIDENTLY IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE. THE3 2001 PORSCHE IS KNOWN FOR THIS ENGINE PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE PNA. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC THE ENGINE IS FLAWED IN ITS DESIGNED AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS CAR.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-02-16
- VIN: WP0AA299X1S
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: COOLANT LEAK FROM REAR OF VEHICLE ,COOLANT LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON SEEN LEAK FROM HOSE CONNECTION ,BACK NEAR REAR TIRE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF TRACTION HAVE HEARD CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH CONNECTORS FROM PORSCHE. *TR
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-07-16
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: COOLANT FITTING GLUED INTO THE BLOCK FAILED. THE GLUE FAILED AND THE ENGINE COOLANT BLEW ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND ONTO THE GROUND AFTER BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP. *TR
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-11-01
- VIN: WP0AB29952S
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: COOLANT LINE FITTINGS LEAKED COOLANT FLUID ONTO REAR TIRES, CREATED EXTREMELY UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION. REPAIR CONSISTED OF REMOVING COOLANT FITTINGS (MOST REMOVED BY HAND WITHOUT TOOLS) AND WELDING ONTO BLOCK. COST $3800 TO DROP MOTOR, REMOVE ITEMS, PREP, WELD, RE-INSTALL MOTOR AND REFILL FLUIDS. *TR
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-04-15
- VIN: W09CB036Z1P
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: THE PORSCHE 996 GT3 MOTORS HAVE A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG OWNERS. THE COOLANT FITTINGS ARE EPOXIED TO THE ENGINE AND UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE USAGE, THEY ARE KNOWN TO COME LOSE AND/OR DETACH COMPLETELY CAUSING COOLANT SPILL ALL OVER THE TIRES AND ROAD AND DEPRIVE THE ENGINE FROM COOLANT. THIS CAUSES THE CAR THE LOSE CONTROL AND IS DANGEROUS FOR ANY CARS BEHIND THE CAR THIS HAPPENED TO. MY CAR HAS THIS ENGINE AND AS PREVENTATIVE SAFELY MAINTENANCE, I HAVE PAID AN INDEPENDENT SHOP KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO WELD MY FITTINGS. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-06-25
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: MINE IS A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE NEARLY NEW STYLE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS BEING USED ON ALL VEHICLES MADE SINCE 2000. YOU SEE THEM EVERYWHERE AS THEY CAN BE EASILY IDENTIFIED BY THEIR CLOUDINESS AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF USE. THERE ARE MANY MAKERS OF DIY FIX IT SOLUTIONS THAT WILL "REPAIR" THESE LENS TO ABOUT 75 PERCENT OF NEW BUT WITHIN 3 - 4 MONTHS THEY AGAIN RETURN TO CLOUDY AND CONTINUE TO GET WORSE UNTIL THEY ARE NEARLY USELESS. MANY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO USE THEM SINCE THERE IS NO COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION. MY 2001 PORSCHE WHICH IS ALWAYS GARAGED AND DRIVEN LESS THAN 7,500 MILES PER YEAR WAS NOT SAFE AND I HAVE HAD THEM BOTH PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED. THEY ARE NOW CLOUDY AGAIN AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS WHICH WILL COST $3200 FOR THE PAIR. THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE: STOP MANUFACTURERS FROM MAKING THESE ONE PIECE HEADLIGHTS AND MAKE THEM OFFER REPLACEMENT LENS COVERS THAT CAN BE INSTALLED AT A REASONABLE COST. A FRONT END COLLUSION WILL BE EXPENSIVE FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THIS DIRECTLY BEARS UPON THE CAR OWNER AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE COST TO MAKE LENS REMOVABLE/REPLACEABLE WOULD BE INEXPENSIVE AND THE REPLACEMENT LENS WOULD ALSO BE INEXPENSIVE AND THEY COULD BE DESIGNED TO BE A VERY SIMPLE REPLACEMENT FOR THE CAR OWNER. AS WE GET OLDER WE DRIVE LESS AND WE TEND TO KEEP OUR CARS LONGER AND AS OUR EYES LOSE THEIR SHARPNESS, WE ARE CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW AND ALSO RETROACTIVELY. PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-10-12
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WP0CA29981S
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: CAR WAS STRUCK ON LEFT SIDE, JUST FORWARD OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BY A LARGE VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROX. 55MPH. CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND DRIVER SUFFERED HEAD TRAUMA. SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, IN A SIDE SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. *AK *JB
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2001 Porsche 911 problems:
Any common problems with 2001 Porsche 911 turbo? - 6SpeedOnline
Jul 18, 2010 ... The rear spoiler hydraulic assemblies are known to fail, but there are quite a few DIY fixes for these to keep them alive. Watch for second gear ...
2001 Porsche 911 Problems and Complaints - 18 Issues
Top 2001 Porsche 911 Problems · Various Faults Due to Intenal Leak at the Oil Seperator · Persistent Coolant Loss Due to Small Leak at Coolant Reservoir · Rear ...
Any common problems with 2001 Porsche 911 turbo? - Page 2 ...
Jul 19, 2010 ... You can't get a more reliable high performance car. Along with what others have mentioned there is also an issue with the clutch accumulator and ...
'01 996tt - common problems - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
Aug 22, 2010 ... 996 Turbo Forum - '01 996tt - common problems - Possibly looking at a 2001 996tt tip w/ 77k. Are there any common troubles to look out for?
99 to 02 porsche 911 Looking to buy any issues. - 6SpeedOnline ...
Feb 23, 2013 ... Hey guys Im looking to purchase a 99 to 2002 porsche 911 6 speed non turbo. Are there any known issues with these cars to look out for and ...
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