VehicleVerdict

2002 Porsche 911 Carrera problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other 911 Carrera years?

911 Carrera NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted21 complaints1997: 1 complaints1999: 21 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 4 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 9 complaints2005: 4 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 3 complaints2014: 5 complaints2017: 1 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 0 complaints
911 Carrera NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 911 Carrera years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags125%
Electrical System125%
Engine125%
Steering125%

Does the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20E091000SuspensionDecember 11, 2020 · 584 units

Defect

Ohlins USA, Inc (Ohlins) is recalling certain Front Struts, part number POS 5N20. These struts were sold as part of Ohlins strut kits part number POZ MN02, intended for installation on 1999-2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 996), and 2001-2006 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 996) and kit part number POZ MN05, intended for installation on 2005-2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 997), and 2006-2013 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 997). The pin of the strut may experience excessive stress during maximum steering, possibly resulting breakage of the pin.

Consequence

If the pin fails, it will cause separation of the strut from the vehicle, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ohlins will notify owners, and dealers will request the return of all unsold kits containing the subject part from dealer/distributor inventory for a full refund. All owners who purchased one of the kits (POZ MN02 or POZ MN05) will receive replacement front struts (POS 5N20 or POS 5N21 - These parts are interchangeable), along with new top mount interface solutions, free of charge. The recall began December 22, 2020. Owners may contact Ohlins customer service at 1-800-336-9029.

13V063000OtherFebruary 26, 2013 · 4 units

Defect

US Specs is recalling one 2002 Porsche Carrera, one 1997 BMW 750IL, and two 1986 BMW 635 CSI vehicles for failing to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, "Rearview Mirrors." While performing conformity-related modifications for the US market, labels with an incorrect size font were applied to the passenger side mirror.

Consequence

Drivers of these vehicles may not know the proximity of the objects in the passenger side mirror, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

US Specs will notify owners and correct the statement on the passenger mirror of the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact US Specs at 1-443-502-2331.

13V064000Seat BeltsFebruary 26, 2013 · 1 units

Defect

US Specs is recalling one 2002 Porsche Carrera 911. This vehicle fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." After performing conformity-related modifications for the US market, this vehicle was released with passenger seatbelts that lack the required Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) function.

Consequence

Without the ALR function, the seatbelts do not allow for the secure installation of a child restraint, which can increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.

Remedy

US Specs will notify the owner and replace all of the passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact US Specs at 1-443-502-2331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ERRONEOUS AIRBAG FAILURE ERROR CODE DETECTED. AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT ON DASH AND AIRBAG FAILURE TEXT ALSO APPEARS ON DASH. PORSCHE DEALER REPORTS THAT THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY PORSCHE CARS OF NORTH AMERICA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE FIX INVOLVES RE-WIRING THE GROUND SYSTEM AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 8, 2010

“2002 PORSCHE 996 WITH POWER STEERING VALVE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR VALVE MADE A HIGH PITCHED NOISE. HE STATED THAT THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE A FIRE SINCE THE VALVE IS LOCATED RIGHT OVER THE EXHAUST AND OR THE TURBO. *KB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 1, 1901

“PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, TURNED IT TO START THE VEHICLE, AND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY EXPLODED. ACID VAPORS FILLED THE GARAGE AND BURNED EYES AND CAUSED COUGHING AND BURNING THROAT SENSATION. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 28, 2007 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD, ABNORMAL BANG. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A LARGE OIL SPILL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WERE TAKEN APART TO LOCATE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 6, 2010

2002 Porsche 911 Carrera — common questions

Is the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.