Model year guide

1983 Porsche 944

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1983 Porsche 944 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1983 Porsche 944 — representative photo
Representative photo

1983 Porsche 944 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints3

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

1983 Porsche 944 recalls 2

Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly NHTSA Campaign #85V095000 · 26/07/1985

REAR SPRING PLATES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TEMPERED AND ARE NOT OF THE PROPER HARDNESS VALUE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE PLATES COULD CRACK AND/OR BREAK, AFFECT LATERAL GUIDANCE OF THE REAR WHEEL, AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Fix: TEST TO IDENTIFY SPRING PLATES WHICH ARE IMPROPERLY HARDENED AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY.

Seat Belts:front:retractor NHTSA Campaign #83V111000 · 26/10/1983

THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT INCLUDE EMERGENCY-LOCKING OR AUTOMATIC-LOCKING RETRACTORS. THE BELTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".

Fix: RECALLED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT AND A PORTION TO THE LEFT BELT REPLACED WITH RETRACTABLE BELTS.

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.

1983 Porsche 944 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Dimensions & weight

Length
168.9 in
Width
68.5 in
Height
50.4 in
Wheelbase
94.5 in
Curb weight
2,778 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1983 Porsche 944. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1983 Porsche 944. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Not Entered

THE REAR SPRING PLATES (RADIUS ARMS) ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TEMPERED BY SUPPLIER. IMPROPERLY HARDENED SPRING PLATES COULD CRACK AND POSSIBLY BREAK . THIS COULD AFFECT LATERAL GUIDANCE OF THE CORRESPONDING REAR WHEEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Transport Canada #1985110 · Oct 1985

Seats And Restraints

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH CMVSS 208 - SEAT BELTS.

Transport Canada #1983098 · Nov 1983

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Porsche 944

The Porsche 944 is a two-door sports car that was manufactured and marketed by Porsche from 1982 until 1991. A front-engine, rear-wheel drive model based on the platform of the 924, the 944 was available in coupé or cabriolet body styles, with either naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines. With over 163,000 cars produced, the 944 was the most successful sports car in Porsche's history until the introductions of the Boxster and 997 Carrera.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1983 Porsche 944 vehicles on record

1983 Porsche 944 1983 Porsche 944WP0ZZZ94ZDN408165

Other Porsche 944 model years

1988 1987 1984 1982

1983 Porsche 944 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1983 Porsche 944 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1983 Porsche 944. 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 1983 Porsche 944?

Across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, seat belts, structure.

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