2004 Porsche 911 Carrera problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 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.

2004 Porsche 911 Carrera at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints16

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

2004 Porsche 911 Carrera recalls 1

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…

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.

2004 Porsche 911 Carrera common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Steering

Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Dimensions & weight

Length

174.4–174.8 in

Width

69.7–72.0 in

Height

51.2–51.6 in

Wheelbase

92.5 in

Curb weight

2,954–3,274 lb

Front track

57.9–58.3 in

Rear track

59.1–61.0 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera — ranges cover the 5 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

2004 Porsche 911 Carrera vehicles on record

2004 Porsche 911 CarreraWP0CA29924S653057

Other Porsche 911 Carrera model years

2004 Porsche 911 Carrera — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 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 are the most common problems with the 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera?

Across all 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, engine and engine cooling, structure.

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