Which Years Of Used Porsche 996s Are Most Reliable?
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The Porsche 911 underwent a major transformation with the introduction of the 996 generation (dubbed the Porsche 996 in the company’s internal code) for the 1999 model year. Continuing into 2004, the Porsche 996 marked the debut of the first 911 with a water-cooled engine. The air-cooled engines of the past couldn’t keep up with demands for more horsepower and more stringent emission controls. For some, this 911 represents a buy because it balances modernity with age (meaning it’s affordable). But before heading down this route, you’ll want to know the most reliable Porsche 996 years.
We’ll dive into the details shortly, but an overview of this pioneering Porsche is in order. The 996 represents the first top-to-bottom makeover of the iconic sports car since the 911 first entered production in 1964.
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Not only did it get a new engine, but the exterior reflected a clean slate design that shared only a similar profile with previous 911s. Porsche made the 996 wider and longer and gave it a lower roofline. Porsche borrowed the headlights from the then-new Boxster to save money (the company was in dire financial straits at the time). You can always spot a Porsche 996 by its “fried egg” headlights. The generations before and after have oval units.
All these changes helped to keep the 911 relevant in the 21st century and laid the groundwork for successive generations of Porsche’s flagship.
The Porsche 996 and the IMS Bearing Issue
You can’t talk about the Porsche 996 without mentioning the notorious problem with the intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing. It’s an issue well-known to Porsche enthusiasts and a vital matter that newcomers may not be familiar with.
The IMS bearing inside the engine connects the crankshaft to the flywheel. It enables the camshafts to work indirectly off the crankshaft and helps with engine longevity. Porsche used an internally manufactured IMS bearing in the 996’s engine (and the Boxster’s powerplant), but a design flaw caused premature failure to the component. An IMS bearing failure is catastrophic, leading to total engine loss and expensive repairs.
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Our findings for the most reliable Porsche 996 years only apply if the IMS bearing has already been replaced. Otherwise, owners are just asking for trouble. LN Engineering reports an 8% failure rate for original IMS bearings, while some online Porsche forums estimate the probability of failure to be as high as 20%. Given that fixing an engine damaged by a bad IMS bearing can run $10,000 or more, any failure rate is too high.
Before buying any Porsche 996, always confirm that the IMS bearing has been replaced. Don’t take the seller’s word; ask for documentation of the repair. Otherwise, budget $3,500-$5,000 to replace the original IMS bearing if you decide to buy a 996 without a replaced component.
Symptoms of a faulty IMS bearing include metal shavings in the engine oil or abnormal vibrations when the engine operates in the 4000-6000 rpm range. A Porsche with a suspected bad IMS bearing should never be driven (or even started, for that matter). Call a tow truck.
Overview: The Most Reliable Porsche 996 Years
Given the relatively short production run of the Porsche 996 (1999-2004) and modest sales (although successful by the company’s standards), there isn’t a lot of history about this generation of the 911.
We’ll review what’s been reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), carcomplaints.com, and other sources to assess the dependability of each year of the Porsche 996. Our primary focus is searching for engine and transmission problems, which are the most expensive to fix (especially on a Porsche). However, we’ll also keep our eyes out for troubles that can be almost as bothersome, like issues with the electrical system.
1999 Porsche 996
Reliability Ruling: Keep shopping
The available data for the 1999 model year of the Porsche 996 doesn’t show much. There’s a grand total of eight owner complaints on file with NHTSA, which is remarkable considering the company sold more than 8,000 units of this car in 1999. And the sole recall covers a faulty fuel gauge.
Overall, this model year seems worthwhile, but we’re giving it a thumbs down because it’s the first year of an all-new model. Vehicles with an all-new design are vulnerable to glitches that may never go. Often, these first-year gremlins are worked out in subsequent years. So, we suggest skipping the 1999 Porsche 996.
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2000 Porsche 996
Reliability Ruling: Get out your checkbook
NHTSA-filed reports about the 2000 Porsche 911 number only five, and while three of these complaints point to cooling system issues, that’s hardly enough to call these troubles a pattern. This model year also has a single recall (again, for a bad fuel gauge). It all adds to a used 911 worth considering (assuming it passes a pre-purchase inspection and the IMS bearing issue has been addressed).
2001 Porsche 996
Reliability Ruling: Another thumbs up
The 2001 model year marks the first owner report submitted to carcomplaints.com about the 996 generation. This single submission cited a blown head gasket, which can be expensive to repair. But there are no other reports about this issue. NHTSA does have a few owner complaints about the engine, but these involve the cooling system. There are no recalls, either. We don’t see anything standing in the way of giving the 2001 Porsche 996 a thumbs up for reliability.
2002 Porsche 996
Reliability Ruling: Add this one to your list
Remove the NHTSA reports covering the IMS bearing or a coolant issue (both previously discussed), and the 2002 Porsche 996 gets a clean bill of health. Most of the other complaints are one-off incidents, meaning there aren’t any consistent problems to worry about.
2003 Porsche 996
Reliability Ruling: A definite yes
In terms of reliability, the 2003 Porsche 911 is basically a repeat from the previous year. The only unique problem is a recall for defective seats, which doesn’t impact mechanical dependability. Otherwise, this model year is worth checking out.
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2004 Porsche 996
Reliability Ruling: Be cautious, but this one is still acceptable
Despite a serious recall, we’re adding the 2004 edition to the most reliable Porsche 996 years. Porsche issued a do-not-drive order and recall for about 500 examples with defective suspensions. The problem is fixable and doesn’t affect key mechanical systems. Assuming you keep the IMS bearing and coolant issue in mind, this Porsche offers good reliability (remember, this is still a 20-year-old vehicle).
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