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Research · Minicompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2002 Porsche 911 CarreraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera. Most complaints involve engine (6) and power train (2). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Dec 2020
Owner complaints
13
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: macpherson strut

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Dec 11, 2020NHTSA 20E091000

Seat belts

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Feb 26, 2013NHTSA 13V064000

Visibility: rearview mirrors

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Feb 26, 2013NHTSA 13V063000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2004 – Nov 2016
  1. Engine6
  2. Power train2
  3. Engine and engine cooling2
  4. Air bags2
  5. Steering1
  6. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 911 Carrera model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199913
20002
200213
20101
20125
20133
20143
20158
20162
20175
20181
20192
20206
20215
202210
20233
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

6 reports
“ALUMINUM COOLANT TUBES WHICH APPARENTLY ARE GLUED TOGETHER VIA THE OEM FACTORY BECOME OLD AND BRITTLE AND BLOW APART. COOLANT IS THEN POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE AT A HIGH RATE INTO THE CITY STREET. IN MY CASE, I WAS SITTING AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN THE COOLANT PIPE BURST/SEPARATED. IN ORDER TO FIX/REPAIR THE ISSUE, THE ENGINE MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE 8 COOLANT TUBES MUST BE WELDED AND/OR DRILLED AND PINNED TO KEEP THE ISSUE FROM HAPPENING AGAIN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2016EngineODI 10928575

Power train

2 reports
“THE CLUTCH SLAVE FAILED ON MY 911 TURBO AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A GT2 SLAVE WHICH REMOVES THE HYDRAULIC ASSIST. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2015Power trainODI 10701030

Engine and engine cooling

2 reports
“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 FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE INTERMEDIATE MAIN SHAFT (IMF) HAD COLLAPSED AND EXPLODED, KILLING THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10339683
All 2002 911 Carrera problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minicompact Cars
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
911 Carrera
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,200468
911 Carrera
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,200468
911 Carrera Cabriolet
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,200468
911 Carrera Cabriolet
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,200468
911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152218$4,400494
911 Carrera 4S
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152218$4,400494
911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$4,700523
911 Carrera 4S
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$4,700523
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 911 Carrera questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (6), power train (2), engine and engine cooling (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026