2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 recalls 2
Porsche is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2012, through November 12, 2012, and equipped with a standard (not sport) exhaust system. The exhaust tail pipe may fracture and separate from the rear muffler.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear mufflers free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on May 9, 2013. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243.
PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 911 SPEEDSTER AND 911 GTS RS 4.0; AND MODEL YEAR 2012 BOXSTER (INCLUDING S AND SPYDER); CAYMAN (INCLUDING S AND R); 911 CARRERA (INCLUDING S, GTS, 4, 4S, AND 4 GTS); 911 TARGA 4 AND TARGA 4S; AND 911 TURBO AND TURBO S MODELS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 31, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE MOUNTING HOLES IN THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATES FITTED TO THE VE…
Fix: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT ANCHORS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 511
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 511.
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C40 engine oils are allocated.
Bulletin No. 28-26 · Power Train, Engine · Sep 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C20 engine oils are allocated.
Bulletin No. 27-26 · Power Train, Engine · Sep 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which C30 engine oils are allocated.
Bulletin No. 26-26 · Power Train, Engine · Sep 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche A40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which A40 engine oils are assigned. Model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.
Bulletin No. 25-26 · Power Train, Engine · Sep 2026Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q3 2026 Software Spec Update Available
Bulletin SPTL2609 · Steering, Suspension, Wheels · Sep 2026Technical Information for Damage to Nano Plug Contacts Due to Utilization of Incorrect Measuring Equipment
Bulletin No. 12-26 · Electrical System · Sep 2026Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers
Bulletin SPTL2314a · Aug 2026Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available
Bulletin SPTL2608 · Steering, Suspension, Wheels · Aug 2026Product Knowledge for Model Type Designations
Bulletin GR16D8a · Aug 2026Product Knowledge for Chassis/VIN Numbering Systems
Bulletin GR16D8 · Aug 2026Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 911 CARRERA 4 AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.