The Porsche 928 spans 1981–1994 with 6 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1993, 1984, 1981 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1982, 1983, 1989. It delivers up to 17 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Porsche 928 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1994 across multiple generations.
How to read a Porsche 928 VIN — every digit explained
Every Porsche 928 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Porsche and the country it was built in (real Porsche codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 928.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWP0 · WP1
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your 928, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Porsche 928 have?
The Porsche 928 has 6 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1994. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1991 Porsche 928 recalls 1
Power Train:automatic Transmission
What's wrong. A PLASTIC FILLER PIECE LOCATED IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT SUFFICIENT SUPPORT. THIS FILLER PIECE CAN MOVE BECAUSE OF THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM, AND NOT ALLOW THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO KICK DOWN TO A LOWER GEAR.
Risk. IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PUSHED INTO THE KICK-DOWNPOSITION, THE EXPECTED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE MAY NOT OCCUR DUE TOINTERFERENCE OF THE FILLER PIECE. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT DURING AVEHICLE PASSING MANUEVER.
Fix. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FILLER PIECE WHICH HAS A SECURING BRACE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT.
1990 Porsche 928 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. PLASTIC FUEL GAUGE MOUNTING NUT MAY CRACK AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK.
Risk. IF FUEL COMES INTO CONTACT WITH A HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM OROTHER IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix. REPLACE MOUNTING NUTS WITH NUTS OF AN IMPROVED MATERIAL.
1982 Porsche 928 recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. DUE TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, THE HOSE COULD RUB AGAINST THE RIM IN CERTAIN WHEEL POSITIONS. BRAKE FLUID LOSS COULD RESULT, CAUSING A DEGRADATION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS WOULD CAUSE AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES.
Fix. DEALER WILL REROUTE THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE AT NO COST TO OWNER.
1981 Porsche 928 recalls 1
Suspension:front:shock Absorber
What's wrong. FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY WELDED MOUNTING EYES. THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING COULD SEPARATE AND CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE IF VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON ROUGH ROADS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
Fix. THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE CHECKED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Best and worst years for the Porsche 928
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 10 tracked years, the worst years are 1993, 1984, 1981 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1982, 1983, 1989.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 928 | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 1982 928 | — | Best | |
| 1983 928 | — | Best | |
| 1984 928 | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 1989 928 | — | Best | |
| 1990 928 | — | Average | |
| 1991 928 | — | Average | |
| 1992 928 | — | Average | |
| 1993 928 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1994 928 | — | Average |
What are the most common Porsche 928 problems?
The most-reported Porsche 928 problems are Power Train (1 reports), Electrical System (1 reports) and Engine And Engine Cooling (1 reports) — out of 3 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Porsche 928 specifications & dimensions
The 1994 Porsche 928 measures 178″ long on a 98″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,591 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Porsche 928 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 178″ | 74″ | 50″ | 98″ | 3,591 lb |
| 1988–1991 | 178″ | 72″ | 50″ | 98″ | 3,549 lb |
| 1981–1985 | 176″ | 72″ | 50″ | 98″ | 3,384 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Porsche 928 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 928 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 74 cu ft of passenger volume and 8 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Porsche 928 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Porsche 928 get?
The Porsche 928 returns up to 17 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,550/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1995 Porsche 928 (5.4L 8-cyl) gets 15 mpg combined and costs about $5,150/yr to fuel, emitting 592 g/mi CO₂ — about $14,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 928 | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 5.4L 8-cyl | |
| 1994 928 | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 5.4L 8-cyl | |
| 1993 928 | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 5.4L 8-cyl | |
| 1991 928 | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1990 928 | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1989 928 | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1988 928 | 15 | 20 | $4,800 | 555 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1987 928 | 15 | 20 | $4,800 | 555 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1986 928 | 15 | 21 | $4,550 | 523 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1984 928 | 14 | 18 | $4,150 | 592 | — | 4.7L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 928 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 928's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Porsche 928 have? Power & range
The Porsche 928 is offered with 1 powertrain — 5.4L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.4L · 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Porsche 928 cost to own?
A Porsche 928 holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used 928 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 928 loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $22,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 928 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Porsche 928 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 928 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Porsche 928 last?
A well-maintained Porsche 928 typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Porsche 928’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 928’s VIN free →All Porsche 928 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Porsche 928 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 928 | 0 | — | |
| 1993 928 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1992 928 | 0 | — | |
| 1991 928 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1990 928 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1989 928 | 0 | — | |
| 1984 928 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1983 928 | 0 | — | |
| 1982 928 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1981 928 | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 928?
By owner-complaint volume, 1993, 1984, 1981 drew the most reports. 1982, 1983, 1989 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 928 have?
6 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1994. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Porsche recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the 928 get?
Up to 17 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 928 last?
A well-maintained 928 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 928 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 928 is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Porsche 928 warranty?
New Porsche models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Porsche dealer.
Where is the Porsche 928 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 928's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Porsche may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a 928 weigh?
The 928's curb weight is around 3,591 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the 928 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.