Model year guide

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S — representative photo
Representative photo

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints6
Combined20–21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S recalls 2

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #12V107000 · manufacturer #AC02 · 21/03/2012

PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 911 CARRERA S VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 26, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 24, 2012. INTERFERENCE BETWEEN A COOLANT LINE AND A FUEL LINE MAY CAUSE THE FUEL LINE TO BECOME DISCONNECTED AT THE QUICK CONNECTOR.

Fix: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINE WITH A NEW FUEL LINE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.

Seat Belts NHTSA Campaign #11V409000 · manufacturer #AB02 · 05/08/2011

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 S common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S MPG & running costs

Combined20–21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,000
EPA size classMinicompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 7-spd or Manual 6-spd
Passenger volume70 cu ft
Cargo volume5 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$8,000 more

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 S costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,000
Fuel only$20,000
Per mile$0.27

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.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 489

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 489.

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 2026

Manufacturer'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 2026

Manufacturer'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 2026

Manufacturer'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 2026

Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q3 2026 Software Spec Update Available

Bulletin SPTL2609 · Steering, Suspension, Wheels · Sep 2026

Technical Information for Damage to Nano Plug Contacts Due to Utilization of Incorrect Measuring Equipment

Bulletin No. 12-26 · Electrical System · Sep 2026

Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers

Bulletin SPTL2314a · Aug 2026

Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available

Bulletin SPTL2608 · Steering, Suspension, Wheels · Aug 2026

Product Knowledge for Model Type Designations

Bulletin GR16D8a · Aug 2026

Product Knowledge for Chassis/VIN Numbering Systems

Bulletin GR16D8 · Aug 2026

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 911 CARRERA S RWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S vehicles on record

Other Porsche 911 Carrera S model years

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S?

Across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are exterior lighting, electrical system, structure.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S get?

The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.