2004 Porsche 911 problems

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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.

2004 Porsche 911

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Common 2004 Porsche 911 problems

The Porsche 911, including the 2004 model, is known for several common problems based on complaints from owners. One of the most frequent issues is oil leaks, which can come from various sources such as the rear main seal, valve covers, spark plug seals, turbo oil supply line seals, cam seals, and scavenger oil pump seals.

Another common problem is ignition switch failure, which can cause the key to become stuck in the ignition or prevent the car from starting.

The 2004 Porsche 911 can also experience issues with the rear spoiler malfunction, which can result in a lopsided spoiler or a "Failure Spoiler Control" warning on the dashboard.

Additionally, the 2004 Porsche 911, like other models, can suffer from interior electrical misbehavior, which can manifest as strange and seemingly random electrical faults or malfunctions of interior systems such as interior lights, airbags, and seats.

Lastly, the 2004 Porsche 911, like other models, can be affected by the IMS bearing issue, which can lead to total engine failure if the bearing fails.

2004 Porsche 911 engine

Does 2004 Porsche 911 have IMS issues?

Boxsters, Caymans and 911s from MY1997 to MY2008 are all at risk of IMS bearing failure, with the exception of Turbo, GT2 and GT3 models. However, the type of bearings used changed over the period and some were more prone to failure than others.

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.

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.

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.

2004 Porsche 911 complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2004 Porsche 911.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

Negative 2004 Porsche 911 car reviews

  1. Cruz Gusikowski 2024-08-29

    The new 997 Carrera has received a lot of acclaim, but unfortunately, there seems to be a major design flaw. However, Porsche has made the process of removing the xenon headlamps even easier in the 2005 models. Unfortunately, some thieves in South Florida have caught on and have already helped themselves to this reviewer's lights, which cost $4,000 to replace. The staff in customer-commitment at Porsche North America also admonished this reviewer for complaining about this flaw.

  2. Alexzander Botsford 2024-07-13

    Hey there! I noticed that the Porsche has a smaller engine compared to other models like the Mercedes SL55 and Nissan Maxima. However, it's important to keep in mind that engine size isn't everything when it comes to performance. Just wanted to share my thoughts with you!

  3. Marlin Toy 2024-06-15

    I always dreamed of owning a 911, but unfortunately, my experience with it has not been as positive as I had hoped. While I still find the car's appearance and sound to be exceptional, I have been disappointed with its performance, especially considering its high price tag. In comparison to other cars such as the Corvette or BMW M3, the 911's performance falls short. Additionally, the car's reliability has been a major issue, requiring frequent trips to the repair shop. Finally, the introduction of the Boxster has somewhat diminished the exclusivity of owning a Porsche. For those considering purchasing a 911, I would advise admiring it from afar rather than making the investment.

  4. Hollis Nicolas 2024-04-04

    For the price of the car, the interior should be a lot more luxurious. Unfortunately, there is no wood trim included unless you pay extra for it. When compared to MB or Lexus, this is a noticeable difference.

Positive 2004 Porsche 911 car reviews

  1. Boyd McLaughlin 2025-05-06

    I love this car! It's so fast and I always get a lot of looks when I'm driving it. It's definitely one of my best purchases. I've never had any problems with it and the handling is just incredible. Plus, it fits two bags of golf clubs!

  2. Santa Gutkowski 2025-05-02

    If you've always dreamed of owning a Porsche 911, try driving a vintage 2000 to 2004 C4S and you'll be hooked. These cars are irresistible to any air-cooled fan. They offer more horsepower, greater comfort, and a reliable A/C system that actually works. The PSM system keeps non-race car drivers safe, while the front and side airbags provide added protection. Plus, the C4S boasts the wide body, stiff chassis, and big red brake calipers that come with the turbo. It's also 10mm lower to the ground than the base 911. Most of these cars come with recommended mods like an aftermarket exhaust (Fabspeed on mine) and a LN Engineering IMS replacement. I also installed an Evolution Motorsports air intake, which makes the car sound AWESOME when accelerating! It's an absolute pleasure to drive, and the faster you go, the better it feels. I've owned mine since 2015, and every time I get behind the wheel, I'm reminded of why I fell in love with this car. Best of all, you can get one for less than $40K!

  3. Quincy Jacobi 2025-04-29

    This car is everything you dreamed it would be, and more! It drives like a dream and when it's on open road it just wants to go. The interior is beautifully designed. The wide body and fat rear rubber of the S are the icing on the cake. The new age 911s are a perfect blend of the 911s of the past and the grand touring vehicle the 928 was intended to be. This car is truly world class!

  4. Mckenzie Tremblay 2025-04-28

    You'll love the incredible power and handling of this car! However, we understand that the $144,000 sticker price may be a bit steep for some. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the rattles and squeaks you experienced, and we're happy to inform you that we've replaced the transmission to fix the problem of it popping out of gear.

  5. Joey Strosin 2025-04-27

    The right front brake calliper was scratched upon delivery, but they promptly replaced it. I had the pleasure of attending a Porsche Sponsored Driving School in Phoenix. Unfortunately, I experienced some issues with shifting between 1st and 2nd gear, and occasionally it wouldn't go into 1st gear at all. After persistently raising the issue, a new transmission was installed at 1600 miles. Since then, I have driven 2300 miles without any further issues. I have decided to retire from racing. It is worth noting that the car uses about 1.6 quarts of oil every 900 miles, which is not unusual for a high-performance motor. Overall, the quality of the car is fantastic. Prior to owning this car, I had a SL 500 and experienced many problems. This is my second new Porsche, and I find it difficult to imagine driving anything other than a Turbo, especially a Cabriolet.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2004 Porsche 911 problems:

2004 Porsche 911 - Reliability - Maintenance/Repairs - Car Talk ...
2004 Porsche 911 - Reliability - Maintenance/Repairs - Car Talk ...
https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-porsche-911-reliability/124521

Sep 7, 2018 ... So the reliability will likely depend on which yours is. For the non-turbo there's recalls on the navigation system, air filter housing, clutch ...

What are the chances of a IMS failure in a 2004 Porsche 911 ...
What are the chances of a IMS failure in a 2004 Porsche 911 ...
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-chances-of-a-IMS-failure-in-a-2004-Porsche-911-Carrera

Jun 7, 2016 ... Porsche, in general, has always ranked in the top few for overall reliability. Given the fact they design their cars to be beaten to death on ...

2004 Porsche 911 Problems and Complaints - 19 Issues
2004 Porsche 911 Problems and Complaints - 19 Issues
https://repairpal.com/2004-porsche-911/problems

Top 2004 Porsche 911 Problems · Various Faults Due to Intenal Leak at the Oil Seperator · Persistent Coolant Loss Due to Small Leak at Coolant Reservoir · Rear ...

2009 911 Turbo Reliability - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
2009 911 Turbo Reliability - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-turbo-forum/830814-2009-911-turbo-reliability.html

Aug 25, 2014 ... 997 Turbo Forum - 2009 911 Turbo Reliability - Hi everyone. I am not an owner yet but I am looking at a 2009 911 Turbo and I would like to ...

2004 Porsche 911 Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
2004 Porsche 911 Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
https://repairpal.com/cars/porsche/911/2004

Various Faults Due to Intenal Leak at the Oil S... Smoke, oil consumption, and fuel trim issues with various fault codes can be traced to an internal leak at ...

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