2004 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 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.
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
Positive 2004 Porsche 911 car reviews
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It's great all around!
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I've heard some people say that these cars have a tendency to blow up, but in reality, the failure rate is much lower than that of other so-called 'reliable' manufacturers like Toyota. The stories about early IMS history are just that - stories. This car actually saved Porsche in 1999! As someone who has mostly owned conservative family cars, I never really had a sports car until I got my hands on this beauty. It's an icon, both beautiful and comfortable, with a racing legacy that's untouchable. Personally, I think the 996s are one of the best 911 designs. They were the first thoughtful departure from the old VW bug aesthetic, and from the 1998 models forward, the Porsche became a modern car. Porsche sold more of this 996 series than all other series prior, so they clearly did something very right. The brand new 991 models are very similar to the innovative design of Pinky Lai, and that design language is still carried on today. Some people complained about the headlights on the 1999 model, but Porsche fixed that the following year. The design is not ugly (although that's subjective), but it was definitely innovative for its time. In fact, the lights came directly from the GT1 high-performance exotic Porsche. Then the lights were moved to the Boxster, which preceded the new 996 911, and that was considered a good thing. Owners of the pricier 911 didn't want their ride to look like the cheaper Boxster from a distance. The water-cooled engine is more reliable than the air-cooled one, and the interior comfort is on par with modern vehicles. I drove from Boston to Hershey, Pennsylvania - a 7-hour drive - and didn't feel stiff or achy at all. I was very surprised, but pleased. However, it's important to note that these cars are often abused, so buyer beware. But if you take care of it, it will take care of you. I would definitely buy another one!My only real complaint is that the cabin noise can be tiresome after many miles of highway driving due to the engine and wheel/tire noise. However, on the flip side, the sound of the car is intoxicating when accelerating and cornering, giving occupants the visceral feeling of driving a true race car legend. Even after 99,000 miles, this car is still my daily driver, even in New England where snow and ice are a regular occurrence. It's super stable in the snow and wet for such a light car. After all these years, I still get thumbs up from all age drivers and pedestrians. The 4S model (mine) has the Turbo look style, so it has all of the great wide body wheel wells, Turbo (large) brake discs, Turbo clutch, sits very low and was like that stock in 2004. Porsche figured that out ages ago, and the car still looks and performs better than any modern car today. I've had two main problems though: a torn CV boot on the front wheel viscous drive transmission, caused a bearing to fail and killed my differential. I replaced that with a used unit for $3K. Power steering fluid got low every few months. A major leak was found in the steering rack at 99.7K miles, and I decided to sell the car. I love this car. After changing away from the summer sticky tires to all-weather radials, the noise in the car is now very tolerable by -10dB from before, and the tire wear is superb. Finding replacement parts has been easy for plastic, light bulbs, and small parts. However, transmissions, glass, and remarkably, carpet are hard to impossible to find. Gas mileage is very good at 31 mpg with Premium, and about 23 with middle-grade unleaded (89 octane). I frequent PCA club events and car shows as a spectator, but people ALWAYS say you should be showing that car because it is extraordinary in its lines, color (Midnight blue metallic-special order color and Natural All leather interior), and sound.If you have the chance, go for it! The Porsche 996 is an amazing deal right now, especially since some purists are not fans of the water-cooled models, which has brought the price down. By the way, while air-cooled models may be interesting from a design perspective, Porsche is still the king of racing and in business because water cooling allows for more horsepower in a smaller engine, resulting in a better power-to-weight ratio. Interestingly, new 911s have smaller blocks with turbo and automatic transmissions because they are faster and have a lower power-to-weight ratio. They are still water-cooled, just like all other cars on the planet. Why have a great car and keep it in the garage? Boost your street cred, have fun driving every day, and enjoy the rush of acceleration and flat, hard cornering. No one drives this car without finishing the ride with a big grin on their face. I believe that if a car makes you smile after every drive, even after many years of ownership and miles, it is an excellent value.
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I recently visited my dealership to replace a bent rim on my '99 996. While waiting, I had the opportunity to test drive the 04 Porsche 911 C4S. Even though the salesperson mentioned that it was the last '04 available, I thought it would be a fun way to kill some time. The ride was absolutely amazing, with incredible speed and handling that made me start considering the possibility of trading in my 996. The car is incredibly stable on the road, and the throttle is much more responsive with impressive torque compared to my 996. Additionally, the new cabs are quieter and the Bose stereo is much better. Lastly, the car maintains its stability even at high speeds (100+). I was so impressed that I ended up buying it!
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Wow, your car is only 2 months old! That's amazing! I understand that it may be expensive and the options may seem outrageous, but once you get behind the wheel and start the engine, the adventure begins! How exciting!
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The Carrera 4S is a fantastic car. The wide-bodied look of the Turbo makes it look absolutely fabulous. Additionally, the 4-wheel drive system makes it incredibly stable and a lot of fun to drive.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2004 Porsche 911 problems:
2004 Porsche 911 - Reliability - Maintenance/Repairs - Car Talk ...
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 ...
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
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
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
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 ...
Other years of Porsche 911
Are you having problems with your 2004 Porsche 911?
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.
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!
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.
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.