Photo: Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2004 Porsche 911: common problems and reliability
· 996One of the worst 911 years.
One of the Porsche 911 years to avoid. All 911 years
71 owner complaints, most about engine. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2004 911?The 2004 Porsche 911 has 71 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine and engine cooling. Owners most often flag rear wing actuator failure: mentioned as a potential issue on 996 models with active rear wings; actuators can fail and are expensive to replace.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Porsche 911 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 911 years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the 911?
Across the 30 911 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (1998) to 200 (2022). With 71 complaints, the 2004 911 sits above the model's median of 38.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 911
suspension:front:macpherson strut
Campaign 20E091000Ohlins 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.
What owners report on the 996 911
Owners view the 996 as an attainable entry into 911 ownership, praising its driving experience and value for money. Many describe it as a fun, basic, and easy-to-live-with sports car that is very capable even without modification.
- Very frequentIMS bearing failure
A known weak point on non-Turbo 996 engines; owners report it can fail even on lower-mileage cars. Early 1999-2000 cars with dual-row bearings are considered less prone to failure.
- IsolatedPorous engine block
One owner reported a 2002 model that had a porous block replaced by Porsche under warranty in 2005.
- IsolatedRear wing actuator failure
Mentioned as a potential issue on 996 models with active rear wings; actuators can fail and are expensive to replace.
- IsolatedMain and rod bearing wear
A euro shop reported seeing many 996 engines with worn main and rod bearings.
Owner insights for the 996 911. Read the full 996 owner report.
Typical used price
Used 911 listings typically run $49,999–$134,800.
Other 911 model years
Compare every 911 year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 911 against its rivals
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