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Porsche · Sports Car · 2011–2019

Porsche 911 991

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

3.1 / 5.0 · Based on 15 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

700 PS

3.8L Turbo Benzin

515 kW, Rear-Wheel, No Net

Legendary!
Most Reliable Engine

400 PS

3.8L Benzin

5 weaknesses

Good Choice
Problem Engine

700 PS

3.8L Turbo Benzin

10 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Body Variants

The Porsche 911 991 is available as Coupé and Cabrio — choose your body type for specific insurance data:

Generations


Engine Overview

The Porsche 911 991 is available with 11 engine variants — from 345 to 700 hp. 10 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

Carrera · Benziner· 349–370 PS Engine Change
2011 2016
Good Choice 5 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Carrera 4 · Benziner· 349–370 PS Engine Change
2012 2016
Good Choice 5 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Carrera 4 GTS · Benziner· 430–450 PS Engine Change
2014 2016
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2017 2019
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Carrera 4S · Benziner· 400–420 PS Engine Change
2012 2016
Good Choice 5 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Carrera GTS · Benziner· 430–450 PS Engine Change
2014 2016
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2017 2019
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Carrera S · Benziner· 400–420 PS Engine Change
2011 2016
Good Choice 5 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
GT2 RS · Benziner· 700 PS
2017 2019
Stay Away! 10 weaknesses
GT3 · Benziner· 476–500 PS Engine Change
2013 2016
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
2017 2019
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
GT3 RS · Benziner· 500–520 PS Engine Change
2015 2016
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
2018 2019
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Turbo · Benziner· 521–540 PS Engine Change
2013 2016
Be Careful 8 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 10 weaknesses
Turbo S · Benziner· 560–581 PS Engine Change
2013 2016
Be Careful 8 weaknesses
2015 2019
Be Careful 10 weaknesses

The Porsche Carrera (Benziner, 349–370 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.04 (2011–2016, Good Choice) und MA2.01 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the Carrera!

The Porsche Carrera 4 (Benziner, 349–370 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.04 (2012–2016, Good Choice) und MA2.01 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the Carrera 4!

The Porsche Carrera 4 GTS (Benziner, 430–450 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.01 (2014–2016, Be Careful) und MA2.03 (2017–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the Carrera 4 GTS!

The Porsche Carrera 4S (Benziner, 400–420 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.03 (2012–2016, Good Choice) und MA2.03 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the Carrera 4S!

The Porsche Carrera GTS (Benziner, 430–450 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.01 (2014–2016, Be Careful) und MA2.03 (2017–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the Carrera GTS!

The Porsche Carrera S (Benziner, 400–420 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.03 (2011–2016, Good Choice) und MA2.03 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the Carrera S!

The Porsche GT2 RS (Benziner, 700 PS) has the MDH.NA (3.8L Turbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 10 known weaknesses.

The Porsche GT3 (Benziner, 476–500 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.75 (2013–2016, Be Careful) und MDG.GA (2017–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the GT3!

The Porsche GT3 RS (Benziner, 500–520 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.75 (2015–2016, Be Careful) und MDG.GA (2018–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the GT3 RS!

The Porsche Turbo (Benziner, 521–540 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.71 (2013–2016, Be Careful) und MDA.BA (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the Turbo!

The Porsche Turbo S (Benziner, 560–581 PS) comes with 2 different engines: MA1.71S (2013–2016, Be Careful) und MDA.BA (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the Turbo S!

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
!Soft-Top Fabric Chafes — Porsche Refuses Warranty

The soft-top fabric shows pronounced chafe marks at the fold lines after 3–4 years. Porsche Germany classifies this as normal appearance. New roof approximately €4,100 plus €1,000 fitting.

Symptoms: Clearly visible chafe marks and colour changes on the soft-top fabric, especially at fold lines. Headliner can come loose.
from 50,000 km
High
Cabriolet Roof Headliner Creasing

The interior headliner of the cabriolet roof develops creases and partially detaches. A cosmetic issue with no functional impact.

Symptoms: Visible creases in the roof headliner, fabric coming loose in places
from 60,000 km
High
Water Ingress Through Aged Seals

Door and window seals harden over time. Water enters the interior in heavy rain.

Symptoms: Wet footwell after heavy rain, fogged windows
from 80,000 km
Low
Targa Sliding Roof Seal Detaches Repeatedly — Front Right

The front right seal detaches over approximately 20 cm. Re-gluing does not hold permanently. Repair requires a complete sliding roof replacement with repainting.

Symptoms: Visibly protruding rubber seal front right on the Targa roof. Slight water ingress after rain. Wind noise at motorway speed.
from 30,000 km
Medium
Targa Roof Leaks Water in High-Pressure Car Wash

High-pressure car washes force water in at the A-pillar/roof joint. Sealed in normal driving and rain. Regular seal conditioning helps.

Symptoms: Water droplets on the inside of the windscreen after a car wash. Only at high water pressure, not in normal rain.
Low
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Above Average
2 complaints · 2011–2019
Other
1
Body Structure
1
Wipers & Visibility
1

Top Reported Issues

Other (1 complaints)
Body Structure (1 complaints)
Wipers & Visibility (1 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 118 weaknesses have been documented for the Porsche 911 991 (2011–2019) — 107 engine-related and 11 vehicle-related. One problem engine: MDH.NA (3.8L Turbo). Typical issues affect Body, Brakes, HVAC, Rust. Considered reliable: MA1.04 (3.4L), MA1.03 (3.8L).

911 (MA1.02, 2008–2012) — Be Careful: Bore scoring on Alusil cylinders, Elevated oil consumption from DFI piston rings, High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure. Power: 345 PS.

911 (MA1.01, 2008–2012) — Be Careful: Bore scoring on Alusil cylinders, Elevated oil consumption from DFI piston rings, High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure. Power: 381–385 PS.

911 (M97.77, 2009–2012) — Be Careful: Coolant pipes detach (GT1 block), Timing chain guide rails worn, Variocam actuator bolts loosen (MY2010/2011). Power: 430–435 PS.

911 (M97.77, 2009–2012) — Be Careful: Coolant pipes detach (GT1 block), Timing chain guide rails worn, Variocam actuator bolts loosen (MY2010/2011). Power: 450 PS.

911 (MA1.70, 2009–2012) — Be Careful: Coolant pipes detach from GT1 block, VTG housing corrosion, High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure. Power: 500 PS.

911 (M97.70S, 2010–2012) — Be Careful: Plastic coolant pipes at oil cooler fracture, VTG linkage seized, Hydraulic engine mount leaking or collapsed. Power: 620 PS.

911 (MA1.01, 2010–2012) — Be Careful: Bore scoring on Alusil cylinders, Elevated oil consumption from DFI piston rings, High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure. Power: 408 PS.

911 (MA1.70, 2010–2012) — Be Careful: Coolant pipes detach from GT1 block, VTG housing corrosion, High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure. Power: 530 PS.

911 (MA1.75, 2013–2016) — Be Careful: Recall: connecting rod bolts come loose (2013–2014), Finger follower and camshaft wear (F-engines), Cylinder wall bore scoring. Power: 476 PS.

911 (MA1.71, 2013–2016) — Be Careful: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure, Bore scoring on Alusil cylinders, PDK distance sensor / valve block failure. Power: 521 PS.

911 (MA1.71S, 2013–2016) — Be Careful: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure, Bore scoring on Alusil cylinders, PDK distance sensor / valve block failure. Power: 560 PS.

911 (MA1.01, 2014–2016) — Be Careful: Bore scoring on Alusil cylinders, Elevated oil consumption from DFI piston rings, High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure. Power: 430–435 PS.

911 (MA1.75, 2015–2016) — Be Careful: Recall: connecting rod bolts come loose (2013–2014), Finger follower and camshaft wear (F-engines), Cylinder wall bore scoring. Power: 500 PS.

911 (MA2.01, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Water pump failure with internal coolant loss, Turbo oil feed pipe failure, Wastegate actuator corrosion and seizure. Power: 370 PS.

911 (MA2.03, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Water pump failure with internal coolant loss, Turbo oil feed pipe failure, Turbo shaft seal failure. Power: 420 PS.

911 (MDA.BA, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Premature water pump failure, Turbo oil return lines leaking, Piston and cylinder wall damage under extreme track use. Power: 540 PS.

911 (MDA.BA, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Premature water pump failure, Turbo oil return lines leaking, Piston and cylinder wall damage under extreme track use. Power: 581 PS.

911 (MA2.03, 2017–2019) — Be Careful: Water pump failure with internal coolant loss, Turbo oil feed pipe failure, Turbo shaft seal failure. Power: 450 PS.

911 (MDG.GA, 2017–2019) — Be Careful: Recall: defective connecting rods (718, 2021 batch), Lash cap detaches — oil pump blocks, Elevated oil consumption during track use. Power: 500 PS.

911 (MDH.NA, 2017–2019) — Stay Away!: Finger Follower Metallurgy Defect — High-Rev Operation, Connecting Rod Bolt Manufacturing Defect — Engine Failure, Intercooler Water Spray — Insufficient Tank Capacity. Power: 700 PS.

911 (MDG.GA, 2018–2019) — Be Careful: Recall: defective connecting rods (718, 2021 batch), Lash cap detaches — oil pump blocks, Elevated oil consumption during track use. Power: 520 PS.

What to watch out for with the Porsche 911? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Porsche 911 991 have? +
The Porsche 911 991 has 107 known engine weaknesses and 11 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Porsche 911 991? +
faq.watch_a_avoid faq.watch_a_rec
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: MA1.04 (3.4L), MA1.03 (3.8L). The most reliable engine is the MA1.03 (3.8L) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the MDH.NA (3.8L Turbo). Problem engine: MDH.NA (3.8L Turbo) — stay away!
Which Porsche 911 991 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Porsche 911 991. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 5 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Porsche 911 991 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Porsche 911 991 — rated: "Legendary!". {description} The GT2 RS with 515 kW, rear-wheel drive and PDK is the most uncompromising road car Porsche built in the 991 era. The torque hits the rear wheels with an intensity that commands respect even from experienced drivers. PDK at this power level with rear-wheel drive is no weakness — it's the only sensible decision. 140 laps of the Nürburgring proved: the car is driveable, but it forgives no mistakes. Epic not in spite of, but because of its uncompromising nature.
Is the Porsche 911 991 worth buying used? +
The Porsche 911 991 is a good choice as a used car — 2 of 15 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the Porsche 911 991? +
The Porsche 911 991 is available with engine variants from 345 to 700 hp. Petrol: M97.70S (3.6L Turbo), MA1.02 (3.6L), MA1.01 (3.8L), M97.77 (3.8L), MA1.70 (3.8L Turbo), MA1.04 (3.4L), MA1.03 (3.8L), MA1.75 (3.8L), MA1.71 (3.8L Turbo), MA1.71S (3.8L Turbo), MA2.01 (3.0L Turbo), MA2.03 (3.0L Turbo), MDG.GA (4.0L), MDA.BA (3.8L Turbo), MDH.NA (3.8L Turbo).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee