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2012 Porsche 911 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Porsche 911 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 4safety recalls
- 6owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 1fire report
- 8%fail the UK MOT
6 complaints, against an average of 5 for the other 12 Porsche 911 model years.
Every Porsche 911 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Porsche 911?
The components named most often in the 6 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2012 Porsche 911 been recalled?
4 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Suspension: Front: Macpherson Strut 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), and 2006-2013 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 997). The pin of the strut may experience excessive stress during maximum steering, possibly resulting breakage of the pin.
Risk: If the pin fails, it will cause separation of the strut from the vehicle, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
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 parts are interchangeable), along with new top mount interface solutions, free of charge. The recall began December 22, 2020. Owners may contact Ohlins customer service at 1-800-336-9029.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Exhaust System: Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe Porsche is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2012, through November 12, 2012, and equipped with a standard (not sport) exhaust system. The exhaust tail pipe may fracture and separate from the rear muffler.
Risk: If the exhaust tail pipe separates from the muffler it may become a hazard for other vehicles on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear mufflers free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on May 9, 2013. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 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.
Risk: IF THE FUEL LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, A FUEL LEAK MAY OCCUR. A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO THE ENGINE MISFIRING OR STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A FIRE.
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 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 VEHICLE ARE TOO SMALL. IF THE HOLE DIAMETER IS TOO SMALL, THE ANCHOR PLATE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ROTATE ABOUT THE FASTENING BOLT AS DESIGNED.
Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT BE ROUTED OPTIMALLY AROUND THE OCCUPANT, OR MAY POTENTIALLY LOOSEN AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.
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.
Is the 2012 Porsche 911 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAFire may occurYears estimated
Risk: One or more engine con rod bolts may fail and lead to the crankcase being damaged and in the worst case fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the engine and vehicle specific identification stickers.
UK DVSATailpipe may become detachedYears estimated
Risk: Internal tests have shown that rear mufflers (silencer) installed on these vehicles do not achieve the required service life. As a result the exhaust tailpipe of the rear muffler can crack on vehicles with higher mileage this can result in the loss of the exhaust tailpipe and represents a danger to other road users
Fix: Replace both rear mufflers.
UK DVSARear hub may detachYears estimated
Risk: Current market observations have shown that the track usage of many vehicles in the 911 model line now comes close to that of pure GT3 racing vehicles. The component stresses associated with race track use and competitive driving are much higher than for a sporty driving style on public roads. The revision intervals for race track use must be observed particularly for highly stressed chassis components in the same way as is required for GT3 racing vehicles. If these revision intervals are not observed the failure of highly stressed components and breakage of hubs on the rear axle for example cannot be ruled out particularly in the case of components in advanced stages of wear.
Fix: In order to standardise revision intervals the wheel hubs on the rear axle will be replaced by standard wheel hubs on the affected vehicles with central wheel lock
UK DVSARisk of fireYears estimated
Risk: A fuel pipe quick connector located under the vehicle could be contacting a heating pipe. The contact of the pipe and connector could impair the locking function of the connector and in the worst case could cause the fuel pipe to leak and the possibility of the engine cutting out or fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check for contact of the heating pipe and fuel line and if there is sufficient clearance fit a spacing ring and if there has been contact fit a new fuel line and spacer.
EU Safety GateThe exhaust tailpipe of the rear muffler can crack on vehicles with higher mileage and this can subsequently result in the loss of the…Years estimatedThe exhaust tailpipe of the rear muffler can crack on vehicles with higher mileage and this can subsequently result in the loss of the exhaust tailpipe. This can lead to road accidents.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 22/05/2013
How often does the 2012 Porsche 911 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Porsche 911 owners report?
6 of the 6 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Tail light fall off the car while driving, catching it dangling from the car holding by only one wire. Upon inspection, they came off due to a broken plastic lug that was holding the taillights together. It appears that Porsche changed the taillight mounting design in the 991 after the 2013 model year, adding a metal piece to keep it together even after the plastic cracks, melts, or fails. Mine is 2012 so it will cost us a fortune for get it fixed, for something it was clearly a design failure from the beginning.
1. Door panel Issue. I have a 2012 911, and have noticed last year that the door panels have popped up on both sides, it looks like the glue has given way. It seems that this is a common issue for Porsche 911. 2. Keyless Entry Issue. I was not able to lock my car by pressing by the door handle's button. I was able to unlock the car. I then tried on the passenger's side and was able to lock it. It's been going on for months, and every time it occurs I will have to spend minutes to get into the car.
Cruising on the highway and a transmission error comes up saying that there's no reverse gear. Got off the highway and even gears aren't engaring, no 2,4,6 gears. 1,3,5,7 gears are engaging. Turned off and parked the car for about an hour. Turned it on car drove fine but start/stop wasn't available and sport modes are not available. Had the car diagnosed at the dealer and the same symptoms and codes are exactly as SB-10054511-7606. The 2012 model year needs to be included.
PORSCHE 991 911 AND 981 CAYMAN/BOXSTER MODELS HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE FOAM PADS SECURING THE FUEL TANK DEGRADE OR FALL OUT. THE INITIAL MANIFESTATION IS A SQUEAKING SOUND WHERE THE PLASTIC TANK RUBS AGAINST THE METAL BODY OF THE CAR. WITH PROLONGED MOVEMENT THE FUEL TANK CAN BE DAMAGED AND A FIRE COULD RESULT. PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS AN INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO FIX IT BUT ONLY FOR CUSTOMERS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CLAIM THE ISSUE IS ONLY A SQUEAKING SOUND BUT COMMON SENSE WOULD DICTATE PLASTIC RUBBING ON METAL SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY WILL WEAR AND START LEAKING. FUEL TANKS SHOULD…
THE AUTOMOBILE LOST POWER ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. AFTER GLIDING TO A HALT, FIRE WAS NOTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY ENGULFED AND DESTROYED THE WHOLE CAR.
I HAVE A PROBLEM, WHEN BACKING UP,OR GOING FORWARD AT SLOW SPEED AND MY WHEELS ARE ABOUT 65% SOMETHING SOUNDS LIKE ITS RUBBING. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER, AND HAVE HAD MY CAR UP ON THE LIFT, BUT NOTHING LOOKS LIKE ITS RUBBING, AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS MY 4TH PORSCHE, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS IN ANY PREVIOUS PORSCHE, AND ESPECIALLY A BRAND NEW ONE. I AM CONCERNED, AS I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS WOULD DO, AT HIGHER SPEED, AND I HAD TO MAKE A SHARP TURN. *TR
2012 Porsche 911: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Porsche 911 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Porsche 911; the most common categories were electrical system (1, 16.7%), engine (1, 16.7%), exterior lighting (1, 16.7%). There are 4 safety recalls. 1 mentions a fire.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Porsche 911?
Across 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (16.7% of complaints), engine (16.7% of complaints), exterior lighting (16.7% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (16.7% of complaints), power train (16.7% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Porsche 911 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Porsche 911; the most recent (campaign 20E091000, 2020-12-11) concerns Suspension: Front: Macpherson Strut. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own 911
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only; combines NHTSA's entries for 911 CARRERA, 911 CARRERA 4, 911 CARRERA 4S, 911 CARRERA S, 911 GTS, 911 GTS 4, 911 TARGA 4, 911 TARGA 4S, 911 TURBO and 911 TURBO S.