2003 Porsche 911 Turbo: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo: 2 recalls, 13 owner complaints.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #03V218000 · 2003 · 1,043 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles May have a loose fitting in the pressure line of the power steering assembly.
Why it matters: If the fitting is loose, the hydraulic fluid could leak out, which could lead to loss of power steering assist and, for vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, loss of clutch assistance. If the leaking fluid comes into contact with hot exhaust components, it could ignite.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the fitting to specifications. Owner notification began on December 1, 2003. Owners should contact Porsche at 1-800-545-8039.
Seats Vehicle recall #04V070000 · 2004 · 1,805 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles fitted with front seat backs, which do not meet Porsche's strength standards.
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the seats could twist, tilting on one side to the rear, possibly resulting in personal injury to the vehicle occupant.
The fix: Dealers will replace both the front seats. Owner notification began on April 26, 2004. Owners should contact Porsche at 1-800-545-8039.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #20E091000 · 2020 · 584 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the pin fails, it will cause separation of the strut from the vehicle, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (11): the most common themes are leaks (4).
- Engine & cooling (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Speed control / throttle (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo has 13 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 12 911 Turbo model years for complaints (2.0× the average 911 Turbo year). Complaints peaked in 2013 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 51,285 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (14 complaints, 0 recalls), 2004 (5 complaints, 0 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (11), engine & cooling (2), speed control / throttle (1).
Where can I get a 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.