Why does the 928 have more recalls than complaints?

NHTSA's 928 file holds five recall campaigns and two owner complaints by our October 10, 2026 count. Recalls come from Porsche; a complaint exists only when an owner writes in. Two complaints across twelve model years says little about the car either way.

Which 928 recall involves the catalytic converter?

Campaign 89V106, on 1985-1987 cars. The heat shield above the catalytic converter was too small and the converter could overheat; the remedy was a larger, improved shield. The campaign counted 6,905 vehicles, which may include other models.

Will you buy a 928 with a dead V8?

Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Tell us which 928 it is and whether it rolls.

Model file · PorscheUpdated October 11, 2026 · 9 sources

Selling a tired or non-running Porsche 928

Twelve model years of the Porsche 928 appear in EPA data, and NHTSA holds just two owner complaints for all of them. The maker's own record is longer: five recall campaigns, three of them touching fuel or heat.

A white Porsche 928 coupe with round exposed headlights parked at an outdoor car meet beside an orange muscle car — Photo: Bull-Doser · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Model years in EPA data: 1984-1995
Complaints to NHTSA: 2
Recall campaigns: 5
Engines (Wikipedia): V8, 4.5 to 5.4 liters
Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 3- or 4-speed automatic
Class: Grand tourer, front engine, rear-wheel drive
Built in: Zuffenhausen, Germany

A 928 with a dead V8, or a repair list longer than its value, can still be sold. We buy whole non-running and junk cars and sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

A different kind of Porsche

Wikipedia contrasts the 928 with what came before: the 356 resembled the Beetle, the 911 grew from the 356, the 914 was a joint venture and the 924 came from a Volkswagen and Audi project. Zuffenhausen built this grand tourer, front engine and rear-wheel drive, from May 1977 to 1995. Wikipedia lists four V8 families, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0 and 5.4 liters, paired with a 5-speed manual or an automatic of 3 or 4 speeds. EPA data names the 928 S, S4 and GTS. Wikipedia adds that Porsche shipped only 77 GTS models to the US in the year it dropped the GTS.

Recalls by model year group

1984-1987: engine carrier, fuel hose and heat shield

85V084 (1985): the engine carrier had a faulty weld at its support bracket eyes. NHTSA's notice says the weld could give way, and the carrier could break with higher mileage. Dealers replaced the carrier and its support. 162 vehicles in the campaign.
89V106 (1985-1987): the heat shield above the catalytic converter wasn't big enough, so the converter could overheat. A larger shield went on. 6,905 vehicles, which may include other models.
87V031 (1987): the return fuel line hose might not resist ozone. Dealers fitted an ozone-resistant hose. 892 vehicles.

The 1984 has one complaint on file, naming the power train.

1988-1995: a fuel nut and a transmission part

90V117 (1990): a plastic fuel gauge mounting nut could crack and let fuel leak from the tank. New nuts of an improved material went on. 19 vehicles.
92V092 (1991): a plastic filler piece inside the automatic transmission lacked support and could move under hydraulic pressure. Dealers installed a braced filler piece. 145 vehicles.

The 1993 has the other complaint, naming the engine and engine cooling.

928 complaints and recalls by model year

Our October 10, 2026 count of the 928's NHTSA file. Because 89V106 spans 1985 to 1987, the recall column totals seven against five campaigns.

Model year	Complaints	Recall campaigns
1984	1	0
1985	0	2
1986	0	1
1987	0	2
1988-1989	0	0
1990	0	1
1991	0	1
1992	0	0
1993	1	0
1994-1995	0	0

Worth saving?

Start by running the 928's VIN through NHTSA's search. On a 1990 car, a fuel smell near the tank is the case 90V117 describes; don't run it while it leaks. A 1991 automatic that won't kick down is where 92V092 points, and our bad transmission guide helps you weigh a gearbox quote. For a 928 that's become a long-term project, see old project car.

How to sell a 928 whole

Name the version: S, S4, GTS or an earlier car, manual or automatic, plus the VIN.
Say what it does: runs rough, cranks without starting, or doesn't turn over.
Tell us where it's parked. It's a long, heavy car, so mention tight driveways or a flat tire.
Leave the V8 and parts in place. Flag anything already sold off.
Call (877) 421-6008 or start online. Keep the 928's title handy for the driver.

Wikipedia traces the 924 to a Volkswagen and Audi project; every other model is on our Porsche page.

Questions people ask

Why does the 928 have more recalls than complaints?: NHTSA's 928 file holds five recall campaigns and two owner complaints by our October 10, 2026 count. Recalls come from Porsche; a complaint exists only when an owner writes in. Two complaints across twelve model years says little about the car either way.
Which 928 recall involves the catalytic converter?: Campaign 89V106, on 1985-1987 cars. The heat shield above the catalytic converter was too small and the converter could overheat; the remedy was a larger, improved shield. The campaign counted 6,905 vehicles, which may include other models.
Will you buy a 928 with a dead V8?: Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Tell us which 928 it is and whether it rolls.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

EPA fuel economy data: Porsche 928 model years and variants fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), counted October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
NHTSA recall 85V084: engine carrier weld, 1985 nhtsa.gov
NHTSA recall 87V031: return fuel line hose, 1987 nhtsa.gov
NHTSA recall 89V106: catalytic converter heat shield, 1985-1987 nhtsa.gov
NHTSA recall 90V117: fuel gauge mounting nut, 1990 nhtsa.gov
NHTSA recall 92V092: automatic transmission filler piece, 1991 nhtsa.gov
Wikipedia: Porsche 928 (engines, transmissions, plant, GTS) en.wikipedia.org