Which Porsche 996 Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)

It is the 996 series that Porsche uses internally to refer to the 911 model that was produced by the German company Porsche from 1997 to 2006.

In comparison to its previous models, the 996 featured a completely new chassis framework, the first such platform since 911’s inception, as well as a unique water-cooled engine.

Aside from the general layout, it was a significant advance in terms of technology, representing a full leap forward from the original automobile. Thus, Porsche 996 is a good car.

But all good things have some bad sides and some of the years of the 996 series were bad. You will learn about them in this article.

Porsche 996 Years to Avoid (List of Years)

There are many problems associated with some years of Porsche 996. This series started as a fraction of 911 in 1999 and lasted till 2005.

Most of the later years model came out bad but not worst and some early years are included here as well. Here is the list of bad Porsche:

• 1999 Porsche 996: Major problem with the 1999 model is the RMS and electric problems.
• 2001 Porsche 996: Bad AC and Dashboard, ignition, and engine problems are the main issues for the 2001 996 model.
• 2002 Porsche 996: People reported electric and engine system failure.
• 2004 Porsche 996: Engine issues, IMS failure are some issues reported by the users of Porsche 996 2004.
• 2005 Porsche 996: Few users have reported engine issues and IMS failure.

Worst Years of Porsche 996

Porsche has very few problems as only a handful of users have reported some problems with them. However, the 2001 model of 996 is the worst because of the highest number of problems. It has interior issue and also engine problems. The parts can be quite expensive and repairing cost is also high.

What Makes These Porsche 996 Years Worth Avoiding?

The 996 series of Porsche is not the worst at all. However, if you want to buy a second-hand 996 there are some model years that you should avoid due to some significant problems.

1999 Porsche 996 Problems:

Porsche 996 made a great impression by making a new kind of engine with a water-cooled system in it. However, the 1999 model could not keep all the promises.

The RMS problem was found in this model reported by some users. They said there was oil leaking due to the broken seal. However, it did not stop the car from running or did not blow up. But it needed a quick fix as it could cause other problems like contamination of the clutch friction plate and engine failure are both possible if it isn’t remedied.

Some users received a bad battery after only a few drives which were disappointing. The electric system has bad malfunction as reported by some users.

The car body rattles sometimes and squeaks sometimes. And as an old model, the repairing parts are hard to find. Thus, it is best to avoid this model.

2001 Porsche 996 Problems:

The 2001 model of Porsche 996 has some issues that might make you not choose it.

The first thing people reported about this car is the AC went bad and the fans inside are not working and not cooling. This is something you can not fix by yourself and it will cost you some bucks to fix it or change it.

The dashboard of the car sometimes showed wrong notifications and the wrong alarm was heard by drivers.

The ignition switch has also some problems as people found it difficult to insert or take out the key from the hole. There are light problems mentioned by some users.

Some reports from NHTSA said there are some problems with the engine and you might want to skip this one out.

Although the 996 2001 does not have many severe problems, the small issues can come up to you from time to time, and fixing this will waste your time and money.

2002 Porsche 996 Problems:

When it comes to the 2002 Porsche 996, one of the main issues is the electric system failure. All the accessories run by the electric system start to malfunction or stop working. From radio to digital writings, heater, windscreen, etc. stops working one by one. And lastly, the battery becomes bad. Even one report said the user put a new battery and after just a few days it went bad.

Another concerning issue is engine failure. About 10% of cars had this problem and that is very unreliable. The cost of engine repairing or replacing it is quite high. And this water-cooled engine is even difficult to repair or change and the cost will increase.

Some safety issues related to the seat belt and airbag were also found by some users. And with all these problems, it is wise to avoid this model.

2004 Porsche 996 Problems:

The majority of the complaints on the Porsche 996 2004 model were about the engine. Engine failure is quite high in this model. Water leaking from the cooling system is also a disappointing issue. It caused the car to overheat or sometimes the engine stopped working. The water pump sometimes stops working.

Some people have faced IMS Failure. Some said the intermediate shaft broke down and causing the engine failure.

This car has some hot weather problems. When it got hot outside some people said that the car would not start.

Some reports were made on body paint wearing off and drivetrain problems. However, the number was very few.

If you want a trouble-free car, the Porsche 996 2004 is not a recommended one.

2005 Porsche 996 Problems:

The fairest of the bad years of 996 is the 2005 model. It does not have plenty of issues and minor problems are not found here.

In some reports, the bad engine was mentioned and some related problems. It is not like you will get a bad engine just from buying this car. Some engine failures were reported.

Other than that, IMS bearing failure was also found in some cases. However, the frequency of this issue is quite low.

It is not one of the worst models of 996, but it is better to buy some other cars which have cleaner sheets than this one.

Which Porsche 996 Years are Safe to Buy?

Porsche 996 has very few problems. Some cars of this series are quite remarkable. Here are some 996 models that you can buy-

2000 Porsche 996:

For more than a century, Porsche has produced many of the world’s finest sports cars. As long as you can afford it, the Porsche 996 2000 is a fantastic car to own.

The horizontally placed six-cylinder engine of the 2000 model is located in the back of the vehicle. Engine output for 2000 is 300 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque from the aluminum 3.4-liter engine.

It also has a water-cooling system to keep the temperature of the engine down.

The interior and the exterior, both are excellent and beautiful. This is definitely a good buy.

2003 Porsche 996:

The 2003 model of 996 is a beauty to the eye. The elegance of the design is noteworthy. And the driving is so entertaining that it has a big fan base.

You can even choose from a hardtop, convertible, or Targa with its distinctive sliding glass roof!

The engine that comes with this car is the 3.6L 6 Cylinder producing 320 hp. It is a fast car with smooth driving. There are no such bad reviews that can question its reliability. Hence, it is a great car if you want to expend a bit more than average.

Conclusion

Porsche is no doubt one of the best car companies in the world. It has been making sports cars that are remarkable and worthy of praise.

The 996 series of this brand is also a great one. If you can buy the right car and avoid the bad years you will get to enjoy every ride with Porsche!

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