Model year guide

1996 Porsche 911 carrera

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Porsche 911 carrera is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1996 Porsche 911 carrera — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Porsche 911 carrera at a glance

Safety recalls1
Combined17–18 mpg

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

1996 Porsche 911 carrera recalls 1

Structure:body:roof And Pillars NHTSA Campaign #04V601000 · NHTSA lists this under 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet · 30/12/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOFTTOP STRUCTURE CATCH LEVER TENSION CAN EASE RESULTING IN A CRACK.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROOF ALIGNMENT AND ROOF LOCKING PINS. IN ADDITION, THE TWO ROOF LOCKING MOTORS WILL BE REPLACED. ALSO A NEW SENSOR SYSTEM WITHIN THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL PROVIDE AN IMPROVED CONTROL SIGNAL TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IF THE ROOF IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WHEN THE DRIVER DRIVES OF…

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.

1996 Porsche 911 carrera MPG & running costs

Combined17–18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,650
EPA size classMinicompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 6-spd
Passenger volume55 cu ft
Cargo volume4 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$11,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 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 1996 Porsche 911 carrera costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$23,250
Fuel only$23,250
Per mile$0.31

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 104

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 104.

Product knowledge for the chassis and VIN numbering systems

Bulletin No. D8 · Feb 2024

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.008

Bulletin PIWIS2401f · Feb 2024

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.050 & .052

Bulletin PIWIS2302s · Equipment · Nov 2023

Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche C30 engine oils

Bulletin No. 33-23 · Equipment · Nov 2023

Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche A40 engine oils

Bulletin No. 35-23 · Equipment · Nov 2023

Instructions on manufacturers certificate for approved C20 engine oils

Bulletin No. 32-23 · Equipment · Nov 2023

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.040 & .041

Bulletin PIWIS2302r · Equipment · Nov 2023

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.035

Bulletin PIWIS2302q · Equipment · Nov 2023

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.030 - .032

Bulletin PIWIS2302p · Equipment · Nov 2023

Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the glass roof - 9J0877069EY and 9J0877069DY

Bulletin No. D654 · Equipment · Nov 2023

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

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Porsche 911 carrera. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Other

On certain vehicles, a crack in the electric roof locking motor's helical gear can result in the catch lever no longer holding the roof firmly to the windscreen frame. If both roof locking motors fail, the softtop could open while the car is in motion. Correction: Dealers will replace both roof locking motors. The new electric motors have a stronger gear mechanism, which locks…

Transport Canada #2004449 · Dec 2004

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, inductive voltage spikes caused by the operation of various relays such as the horn relay, could inadvertently deploy the driver's side airbag, predominantly on those vehicles operated in hot and humid climates. Activation of the airbag under these conditions could cause personal injury. Correction: An interference suppressor will be installed into the vehi…

Transport Canada #1999014 · Jan 1999

Other

THE COVER SLEEVES ON THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPES MAY HAVE BEEN SECURED WITH ONLY TWO INSTEAD OF FOUR WELDING SPOTS. THIS MAY CREATE THE RISK THAT THE COVER COULD COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND/OR PEDESTRIANS. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, TAIL PIPES WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONES ON WHICH THE COVER SLEEVE HAS BEEN SECURE…

Transport Canada #1995236 · Dec 1995

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

1996 Porsche 911 carrera trims & engines on record

Engines
3.6L 6-cyl 282 hp

1996 Porsche 911 carrera vehicles on record

Other Porsche 911 carrera model years

1996 Porsche 911 carrera — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Porsche 911 carrera have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1996 Porsche 911 carrera. 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 gas mileage does the 1996 Porsche 911 carrera get?

The 1996 Porsche 911 carrera has U.S. EPA estimates of 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

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