Which year models of used Porsche 911 to avoid?
And which are safe to buy
Porsche 911 by Vauxford - CC BY
Porsche’s two-door 911 sports car has been in production since 1963 and garnered numerous awards over the years. The vehicle has received particular praise for its air-cooled opposed rear-engine design (water-cooled since 1998) and independent suspension.
Having been manufactured for over 50 years means that there’s a great number of used Porsche 911 year models to choose from. Luckily, CoPilot is here to help you choose the best option!
Quick answer: Avoid Porsche 911 year models 1983 and 2009
Of over 50 years of year models, there are really only two Porsche 911 models you should truly avoid: the 1983 year model and the 2009 model.
The 1983 Porsche 911 reportedly has issues with broken head bolts that may pop up under 40,000 miles. The 2009 year model would be the worst purchase with more problems reported than any other models. This includes stalling and leaking hoses.
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Which year models of Porsche 911 are safe to buy used?
With so many years of production, it’s surprising that almost every year model of the Porsche 911 is a worthy purchase. Almost any used Porsche 911 you choose should deliver the speed and style you’re looking for in a luxury sports car without much hassle. These models have had very few complaints and suffer from minor issues at worst.
- 1963 Porsche 911
- 1964 - 1970 Porsche 911
- 1971 - 1980 Porsche 911
- 1981 Porsche 911
- 1982 Porsche 911
- 1984 - 1990 Porsche 911
- 1991 - 2000 Porsche 911
- 2001 - 2008 Porsche 911
- 2010 Porsche 911
- 2011 Porsche 911
- 2012 Porsche 911
- 2013 Porsche 911
- 2014 Porsche 911
- 2015 Porsche 911
- 2016 Porsche 911
- 2017 Porsche 911
- 2018 Porsche 911
- 2019 Porsche 911
- 2020 Porsche 911
We recommend purchasing any of the aforementioned Porsche 911 year models. Most have no complaints whatsoever, and if they do, they’re extremely minor. For example, the only complaint in the 2002 year model is a broken seat belt, which can be fixed for only $400. Nearly any used Porsche 911 you buy is highly unlikely to give you any trouble.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE THE PORSCHE 911
If you’re interested in this car for your driveway, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Porsche 911 year on the market?
Which year models of Porsche 911 to avoid:
Although most Porsche 911 year models are extremely reliable, there are two we recommend avoiding. These cars have a history of engine issues that the other year models don’t have. With over 50 other dependable year models, there are many better picks for your used Porsche 911 than these.
- 1983 Porsche 911
- 2009 Porsche 911
Both the 1983 and 2009 Porsche 911 year models have engine issues. A complaint of broken head bolts was reported in the 1983 Porsche 911, popping up at around 30,000 miles and costing $1,500 to replace. While this issue hasn’t been widely reported, it’s still advisable to steer clear of this model just to be safe.
The 2009 Porsche 911 year model is the most problematic of all of them, and you should absolutely avoid purchasing one. It has the highest number of reported problems and some may pose a threat to your safety.
All appearing under 30,000 miles, difficulties that drivers of the 2009 year model have experienced include stalling, excessive oil consumption, and leaking hoses. We do not recommend purchasing either of these models, especially considering the plethora of other, safer options.
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Porsche 911 problem counts by year
These are the most common problems reported by owners on platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community. Engine problems are the most common failures in the Porsche 911, ranging from broken head bolts to leaking hoses.
The easiest way to find a reliable Porsche 911 in your area
For the easiest way to find a reliable used Porsche 911 in your area, download the free CoPIlot car shopping app. Tell us what two-door sports car you’re looking for and we’ll find it, searching every dealership in your area to create a personalized list of the best buys for you. Built using the same technology that car dealerships use to buy and sell their inventory, CoPilot is the smartest and easiest way to buy a used Porsche 911.
If you’re more interested in a newer, off-lease ride, try CoPilot Compare, the search engine for nearly-new cars. Not only do we exclusively show you models that are 5 years or newer with low mileage (most with CPO availability), we’ll also break down how much you save buying used vs. new and show you the best nearly-new listings in your area.
Not convinced yet? CoPilot is one of the most trustworthy apps on the market - we don’t work with dealerships, so there are no ‘promoted’ or ‘sponsored’ listings - just the best cars in your area. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page.
