Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.
Run a VIN →Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Porsche 911 Carrera year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model (naming may differ or it predates EPA records).
NHTSA lists 1 recall for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20E091000
Rated configuration: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera 2-DR w/SAB
The parts named most often across 4 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.
Catastrophic coolant loss due to failure of a known issue by manufacturer. The coolant loss resulted due to failure of the epoxy that held the hose to the manifold. The epoxy failure affected 3 of the hoses. This was part of a DOT bulletin affecting this model year. Failure on my vehicle came later after warranty had expired due to low mileage. Also in 2021 the rear lid spoiler failed (another known high failure issue known to manufacturer) due to hydraulic fluid loss. Both repairs came at a extremely high cost and manufacturer refused consideration for help unless vehicle was repaired at their own dealer. This after I had made contact and advised them of location of vehicle at a service facility that is recognized by manufacturer as a credible alternative to their dealer.
FLYWHEEL BROKE THREE TIMES: 1ST REPLACEMENT: THE CAR WAS 20 MONTHS OLD, 16,515 MILES. 2ND REPLACEMENT: THE CAR WAS 37 MONTHS OLD AND HAD 37, 355 MILES (21,000 MILES LATER). 3RD REPLACEMENT: THE CAR WAS 49 MONTHS OLD AND HAD 49,624 MILES (12,000 LATER). *TR
COOLANT FITTING FAILURE ON THE GT3/GT2/TURBO GLUED IN FITTINGS. *TR
2008 PORSCHE TURBO, CLUTCH PEDAL FAILURE. CLUTCH BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE AT SPEED. WRESTLED CAR OUT OF GEAR AND MOVED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CLUTCH FLUID LOW, NO VISIBLE LEAKS. REFILLED, CLUTCH OPERATED FINE. REPORTED TO DEALER, NO PROBLEM FOUND. CLUTCH FAILED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER, NO LEAKS FOUND BUT FLUID MISSING. DEALER REFILLED AND CLUTCH OPERATED OK. 2 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM, NO VISIBLE LEAKS, LOW CLUTCH FLUID. MANY, MANY 997 TURBO OWNERS ARE REPORTING SIMILAR EVENTS ON WEB FORUMS. *TR