2001 Porsche 968 problems
The Porsche 968 is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche AG from 1991 until 1995. It was the final evolution of a series of water-cooled front-engine rear wheel drive models begun almost 20 years earlier with the 924, taking over the entry-level position in the company lineup from the 944 from which it was derived. The 968 was Porsche's last new front-engined vehicle before the introduction of the Cayenne SUV in 2003.
History
Porsche's 944 model debuted for the 1982 model year as an evolution of the 924, was updated as "944S" in 1987 and as "944S2" in 1989. Porsche was in significant financial crisis at the time with less interest in its sports cars from customers, especially in the US. The virtually unchanged design of the 944, which was derived from the 924, was showing its age and sales of the model declined. Porsche hence found the need to develop a new entry level model. Shortly after the start of production of the S2 variant, Porsche engineers began working on another set of significant upgrades for the model, as executives were planning a final "S3" variant of the 944 with a design language in line with the models in its lineup in order to save development costs. During the development phase, 80 percent of the 944's mechanical components were either significantly modified or completely replaced by the engineers, leaving so little of the outgoing S2 model that Porsche management chose to introduce the variant as a new model, calling it the 968. In addition to the numerous mechanical upgrades, the new model also received significantly evolved styling both inside and out, with a more modern, streamlined look and more standard luxury amenities than on the 944. To save production costs, production was moved from the Audi plant in Neckarsulm (where the 924 and 944 had been manufactured under contract to Porsche), to Porsche's own factory in Zuffenhausen.
Design
The 968 was mainly a restyled evolution of the 944 with design links visible to its predecessor. Design work was done by Harm Lagaay who had designed the 924 and the 944 as well. The front of the car largely resembled the top-of-the line 928, sharing its exposed pop-up headlamps and the integrated front bumper. This frontal design would eventually appear on the 911 (993) two years later.
The rear of the 968 was also redesigned, featuring fully coloured rounded taillamps. Special bulbs were used in the taillamps which either illuminated a small area in amber colour when the turn signals were activated or in white when the car was reversing. PORSCHE badging was fitted between the taillights just below the model type number. The rear apron was integrated into the smoothened rear bumper.
While the exterior of the car was rounded and smoothed, the interior was largely unchanged and mostly shared with the preceding 944 S2 with the exception of switches and control knobs. The 968 also featured numerous small equipment and detail upgrades from the 944, including a Fuba roof-mounted antenna, updated single lens tail lamps, "Cup" style 16-inch alloy wheels, a wider selection of interior and exterior colours, a slightly updated "B" pillar and rear quarter window to accommodate adhesive installation to replace the older rubber gasket installation.
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Common 2001 Porsche 968 problems
The Porsche 968, particularly the 2001 model, has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. These issues primarily revolve around the car's electrics, which are known to be complex and sometimes problematic.
One of the most frequently reported issues is a parasitic draw, which can cause the battery to drain over time. This problem can be challenging to diagnose and may require a significant amount of time and effort to trace down and resolve. However, it's important to note that even a Porsche dealer's pre-purchase inspection (PPI) may not catch all of the issues that can arise with a 968, so it's essential to be prepared for the possibility of additional maintenance and repair costs.
Another common problem with the 968 is the cargo area shade. Specifically, some models may have a roller shade, which is not correct for this car. Instead, the cargo shade should be a loose cover with shock cords that attach to the tabs at the rear of the hatch.
In addition to these specific issues, the 968 can also suffer from more general maintenance and repair costs. For example, the underhood light may need to be replaced, and the glove box light may also need attention. Suspension bushings, sway bar bushings, and rotor thickness should all be checked regularly, and it's a good idea to start saving up for clutch and Torque tube rebuilds, as well as potentially new shocks.
It's also worth noting that the 968 can be a challenging car to work on, with limited workspace available in some cases. However, many owners find that the rewards of driving a 968 are well worth the effort, as it is a highly capable and impressive car in terms of road feel, handling, and overall performance.
Finally, it's important to be aware of the potential for anti-Porsche sentiment from some members of the public, who may view Porsche owners as wealthy show-offs. While this is not a major issue, it can be annoying at times, particularly when dealing with aggressive parking officers or other minor annoyances.
In summary, the Porsche 968 is a capable and impressive car that can provide a fantastic driving experience. However, it's important to be aware of the potential for electrical issues, as well as the need for regular maintenance and repair work. With the right preparation and mindset, the 968 can be a highly rewarding car to own and drive.
Is the 968 reliable?
The Porsche 968's qualities are obvious – excellent pulling power, great handling, extremely high manufacturing quality and high reliability.
Is a Porsche 968 fast?
The 968 can attain a top speed of 252 km/h (157 mph) when equipped with the manual transmission and has a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 6.5 seconds.
How rare is a Porsche 968?
And the Porsche 968 Turbo S was meant to be rare, being limited to just 100 unites. Its 350 hp racing version, called the 968 Turbo RS, cost DM 228,000.
What is the top speed of the Porsche 968?
156 mph
Porsche 968 Performance Overview
| Model | Porsche 968 Coupe | Porsche 968 Convertible |
|---|---|---|
| Track Rear | 57.09 in/1,450 mm | 57.09 in/1,450 mm |
| 0 to 60 mph | 6.3 seconds manual/7.7 seconds Tiptronic S | 6.3 seconds manual/7.7 seconds Tiptronic S |
| Top Speed | 156 mph manual/153 mph Tiptronic S | 156 mph manual/153 mph Tiptronic S |
2001 Porsche 968 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Porsche 968 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2001 Porsche 968 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2001 Porsche 968 complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2001 Porsche 968.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-09-24
- VIN: WP0AA29982S
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THIS PROBLEM IS AFFECTING CARS IN WARMER CLIMATES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PORSCHE CARS OF NORTH AMERICA HALT DELIVERY OF THESE CARS UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-09-24
- VIN: WP0AA29982S
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THIS PROBLEM IS AFFECTING CARS IN WARMER CLIMATES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PORSCHE CARS OF NORTH AMERICA HALT DELIVERY OF THESE CARS UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2001 Porsche 968 problems:
Looking for late 968; problem areas - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion ...
Jun 11, 2005 ... What problems areas should I look at in a 968 ? I had 2 928's and there were issues with timing belts, water pump, steering rack, leaky A/C, ...
Thinking about the Porsche 968 - maintenance nightmare or not ...
Jul 22, 2013 ... Like all P cars: receipts, history...and when in doubt, replace the known problem parts because a timing belt failure will equal engine rebuild/ ...
968 Tiptronic problem - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
924/931/944/951/968 Forum - 968 Tiptronic problem - The car is 1992 968 convertible with 100Kkm's. Otherwise in excellent condition but ...
what's the difference between a porsche 928 and a porsche 968 ...
Feb 24, 2002 ... They are fast and awesome handling cars, but prone to some problems...www.968.net can tell you more about these issues. My uncle had a red 93 ...
Common 1999 Porsche 911 Problems: MAF Sensor Replacement ...
Oct 14, 2018 ... 1999 911, MAF issues. I replaced the sensor and then plug in the connector and the car wants to die immediately.
Other years of Porsche 968
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