Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Porsche 928 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
9
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WHICH CONNECTS THE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING RACK MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED DURING ASSEMBLY. IF VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON POOR ROADS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE STEERING SHAFT AND UNIVERSAL JOINT COULD LOOSEN AND CAUSE EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTION AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Defect
THE SYMBOL IDENTIFYING THE LIGHT SWITCH ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROL AND DISPLAYS".
Remedy
OWNER WILL BE SENT THE CORRECT SYMBOL FOR SELF INSTALLATION OR INSTALLATION BY THE DEALER.
Defect
CERTIFICATION LABELS INSTALLED IN THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY NOT INCLUDE THE DATE OF VEHICLE MANUFACTURE, AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABEL WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED DURING ASSEMBLY. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CABLE COULD CHAFE AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE OR BRAKE HOSE BRACKETS. CHAFING COULD LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE EMERGENY BRAKE CABLE.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REROUTE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER. .
Defect
BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT STEERING ARM ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRONT AXLE KNUCKLE WITH TWO FASTENING BOLTS. THESE BOLTS ARE BEVELED BELOW THE HEX HEAD TO FIT INTO THE CHAMFERED HOLES IN THE STEERING ARM FOR PROPER FASTENING. THE CHAMFERING IN THESE STEERING ARM HOLES WAS OMITTED DURING MANUFACTURE. SHOULD THE BOLTS LOOSEN, THE STEERING ARM COULD BECOME LOOSE.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL CORRECT THE DEFECT BY CHAMFERING THE HOLES.
Defect
THE ROOF MOLDINGS ON EACH SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ARE NOT SECURELY FASTENED.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL SECURE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT ROOF MOLDINGS WITH ADDITIONAL SCREWS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.
Defect
THE EXISTING BRAKE HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN TWISTED DURING ASSEMBLY. CONSEQUENTLY, THE HOSE COULD CHAFE AGAINST THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE. PROLONGED CHAFING COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, THUS AFFECTING REAR BRAKES.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REROUTE THE REAR BRAKE HOSE, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
THE ELECTRICAL CONTACT POINTS INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN SPEED CONTROL SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. AS A RESULT, "STICKING" COULD OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM TO STOP FUNCTIONING.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE.
Defect
THE FRONT AXLE CASTER AND CAMBER ADJUSTERS COULD CRACK DUE TO IMPROPER MANUFACTURE. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE ADJUSTERS COULD LOOSEN AND CAUSE WHEEL MISALIGNMENT. ALSO, THE TIRE ON EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE COULD EXPERIENCE EXTENSIVE WEAR.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CASTER AND CAMBER ADJUSTERS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Porsche 928. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.