The most famous sports car model in the world, 911, except for a maybe Corvette, needs a new muffler.
Porsche is recalling more than 2,000 of its new 2012 and 2013 models of the 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 sports cars equipped with a standard exhaust system. The tail pipe may fracture and separate from the rear muffler. If the exhaust tail pipe separates from the muffler, it may become a hazard for other vehicles on the road, increasing the risk of a crash. The 911s are the latest cars, the so called 991-generation of vehicles internally, (Milestones 50 Years of the Porsche 911), equipped with the 3.4-liter, 6-cylinder boxer engine.
Porsche is not aware of any defects or reported failures on any customer owned 911s. All defects to date were reported on internal Porsche test vehicles with mileages greater than 25,000 miles. Porsche is also not aware of any accidents or injuries.
The first fracture occurred last May in the circular welded seam on the rear muffler of an internal test-vehicle manufactured during the affected production period, which was from May 2012 to January 2013. In a NHTSA filing, Porsche said it and an unnamed supplier conducted internal inspections and component testing. As a remedial measure, reinforced components were developed and endurance tested.
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear mufflers free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule since parts are being made. Many of the 911 vehicles produced were equipped with the optional sport exhaust system, which is unaffected by this safety recall.
Owners may contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche’s safety recall number is AD01. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.
