Model year guide

2002 Porsche 911 carrera

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Porsche 911 carrera is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2002 Porsche 911 carrera — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Porsche 911 carrera at a glance

Safety recalls3
Combined19 mpg

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

2002 Porsche 911 carrera recalls 3

Suspension:front:macpherson Strut NHTSA Campaign #20E091000 · 11/12/2020

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), an…

Fix: Ohlins will notify owners, and dealers will request the return of all unsold kits containing the subject part from dealer/distributor inventory for a full refund. All owners who purchased one of the kits (POZ MN02 or POZ MN05) will receive replacement front struts (POS 5N20 or POS 5N21 - These part…

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #13V063000 · manufacturer #MR101 · 26/02/2013

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.

Fix: US Specs will notify owners and correct the statement on the passenger mirror of the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact US Specs at 1-443-502-2331.

Seat Belts:front:retractor NHTSA Campaign #13V064000 · manufacturer #SB101 · 26/02/2013

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.

Fix: US Specs will notify the owner and replace all of the passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact US Specs at 1-443-502-2331.

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.

2002 Porsche 911 carrera MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,350
EPA size classMinicompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S5) or Manual 6-spd
Passenger volume70 cu ft
Cargo volume5 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,750 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 2002 Porsche 911 carrera costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,750
Fuel only$21,750
Per mile$0.29

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

Length
174.4 in
Width
69.7 in
Height
51.6 in
Wheelbase
92.5 in
Curb weight
2,910–3,197 lb
Front track
57.9–58.3 in
Rear track
59.1–61.0 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2002 Porsche 911 carrera — ranges cover the 5 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Rapid coolant loss Closed

On April 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-009 to investigate 10 complaints alleging incidents of sudden coolant loss while traveling on public roadways in certain model year (MY) 2001 through 2007 Porsche 911 vehicles. The complaints alleged that pipe ends joined by epoxy to certain cooling system components may fail suddenly and separate, resulting in large volumes of coolant leakage.…

NHTSA #PE13009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Apr 2013 · closed Mar 2014

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 405

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 405.

Parts Information for Parts Withdrawal - Radio & Satellite Radio Receiver. Note that part 91164559100 is also applicable to the following models not in the product list: 911 (1970-1989), 914 (1970-1976), 924 (1976-1985), 924S (1986-1988), 928 (1978-1995), 944…

Bulletin GR13D801-1 · Electrical System · Sep 2026

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

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 911 CARRERA 4S/CARRERA 4 CABRIO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

2002 Porsche 911 carrera trims & engines on record

Trims
Carrera (2WD + 4WD) · Cabriolet (2WD + 4WD)
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl 320 hp

2002 Porsche 911 carrera vehicles on record

Other Porsche 911 carrera model years

2002 Porsche 911 carrera — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Porsche 911 carrera have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2002 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 2002 Porsche 911 carrera get?

The 2002 Porsche 911 carrera has a U.S. EPA estimate of 19 mpg combined (16 city / 24 highway).

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