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What years did Porsche have engine problems?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 14, 2026

If you have owned or are considering owning a Porsche 996 or 986 between the years of 2000 and 2005, or 997 from 2006 to 2009 then there is a very good chance you have heard about the notorious IMS (Intermediate shaft) bearing failure. The intermediate shaft bearing commonly fails on the Porsche 996 and 997 models.If you have owned or are considering owning a Porsche 996

Porsche 996

The Porsche 996 is the internal designation for the 911 model manufactured by the German automaker Porsche from 1997 until 2006. It was replaced by the 997 in 2004 but the high performance Turbo S, GT2 and GT3 variants remained in production until 2006.

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or 986 between the years of 2000 and 2005, or 997 from 2006 to 2009 then there is a very good chance you have heard about the notorious IMS (Intermediate shaft) bearing failure. The intermediate shaft bearing commonly fails on the Porsche 996 and 997 models.

What years did Porsche have IMS issues?

All Porsche Boxster, Cayman, and 911 vehicles from 1997 through 2008 with the M96 or M97 engine have an IMS (intermediate shaft) that is supported by a sealed ball bearing.

Which Porsche models have IMS problem?

Which Porsche models can IMS bearing failure occur on? Boxsters, Caymans and 911s from MY1997 to MY2008 are all at risk of IMS bearing failure, with the exception of Turbo, GT2 and GT3 models. However, the type of bearings used changed over the period and some were more prone to failure than others.

What is the most unreliable Porsche?

These Porsche models are the least reliable;

  • Porsche Boxster.
  • Porsche 911.

What year did Porsche change the IMS bearing?

Porsche upgraded the IMS along with the design of the IMS bearings on 2007 model year cars onwards. For the Porsche engines fitted from 1998 to 2006/07, there have been many aftermarket solutions to address the issue We have fitted and assessed many of these solutions.

16 related questions found

Does 997 have IMS issues?

Porsche has been at the center of a recent controversy due to IMS (intermediate shaft) bearing failure in some 997 production cars, but recent data shows that there may not be as many problems as initially thought.

Should I replace my IMS bearing?

With model year 1997 through 2005 engines, the bearing is indeed accessible. Any IMS bearing replacement is intended to be installed as a pro-active measure in preventative and regular maintenance. Once an engine has suffered a failure, replacement of the intermediate shaft bearing is no longer an option.

What is a poor man's Porsche?

The Porsche brand is known for high quality and high performance, but also high prices. The term 'poor man's Porsche' is commonly used to describe a separate, cheaper brand that offers a comparable experience.

Do Porsches break down a lot?

Compared to other sports car brands like Ferraris, Porsche repairs cost less. Moreover, Porsches are well built and do not break down frequently. Provided you adhere to regular maintenance and servicing, you will not have to spend so much on repairs.

How long do Porsche engines last?

They are built to perform, yes, but they are built to perform for many years. Porsche 911 engine mileage can be rated at 100,000 miles and 10 years. Like any vehicle, Porsche 911s last longer with proper and routine maintenance and care. Most Porsche vehicles will last you up to the 150,000-mile marker and beyond.

How can IMS bearing failure be prevented?

Install a retrofit kit (applicable to 1997-2005 M96 engines) or the IMS Solution (a permanent solution applicable to 2000-2005 single row IMS bearings): this is the best way to avoid IMS bearing failures.

Does 2007 Porsche 911 have IMS issues?

Engine numbers up to M97/01 68509790 has the older IMS bearing and numbers from M97/01 68509791 has the larger revised bearing. The incidence of IMS failures in 2006-2008 Porsche Boxster, Cayman, and 911 models with the M96 or M97 engine is very low.

Which is the most reliable Porsche?

Porsche 911 Carrera

This is one of the few Porsche models that are relatively free from consumer complaints about performance and reliability. Throughout its long and storied history, The Porsche 911 Carrera has been voted the most reliable car that the automaker has produced to date.

Are Porsche expensive to maintain?

Among luxury brands (excluding exotics), Porsche is the most expensive luxury vehicle brand to maintain. Although Porsches may not need repair as often as BMWs, at $400 for an oil and filter change, it doesn't take long for Porsche maintenance costs to add up quickly.

Is Porsche more reliable than BMW?

Comparison of BMW and Porsche vehicles near Longueuil.

In J.D. Power's 2020 ranking of the most reliable brands, BMW ranks 8th. Porsche? 4th!

Are Porsches reliable?

The Porsche Reliability Rating is 2.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 32nd out of 32 for all car brands. This rating is based on an average across 345 unique models. The average annual repair cost for a Porsche is $1,192, which means it has below average ownership costs.

What is the cheapest Porsche?

What is the cheapest Porsche 2020? The cheapest new Porsche as of 2020 was the Porsche Macan with a starting price of $54,900.

What is Porsche known for?

Porsche is a German luxury and sports car manufacturer, based in Stuttgart and founded in 1931. The company is best known for its powerful, precise-handling sports cars, most famously the iconic 911.

How much does it cost to have an IMS bearing replaced?

The cost of a IMS Retrofit replacement bearing and labour for installation is usually more than $4,000 but can be done in conjunction with the clutch. This is a small investment compared to the cost of rebuilding or replacing the entire engine.

How can you tell if the IMS bearing has been replaced?

If you have reason to believe it has been replaced with an LN Engineering IMS bearing, you can check with them. If the bearing was registered properly they can tell you. They also provide adhesive number plates with their bearing that owners apply next to the VIN plate and in door sills.

How long does IMS bearing last?

IMS bearing failure can happen anytime. Some bearings have failed just after 3,000 miles while others have lasted for 200,000 miles or longer. Failure is unpredictable and irrespective of mileage.

Does 2008 Porsche 911 have IMS issues?

In fact, every 911 from 1964 through 2008 had an IMS bearing. Even the beloved Mezger motor cars like the Turbos, GT3s, etc. all had IMS bearings.

Is the Porsche 997 collectible?

The 997 generation cars are still relatively modern and thus include the necessary creature comforts to be acceptable as daily drivers. But they are not too old to be considered collectible yet, so prices have yet to skyrocket like the 993 generation.

How reliable are Porsche Caymans?

Overall Reliability Ratings: Is The Porsche Cayman Reliable? Overall the Porsche Cayman reliability is 58.1 and that makes it very reliable. The chart below illustrates exactly how this ranks compared to some other cars, but the average overall rating is 57 as some comparison.

How reliable are old Porsche?

Nearly every Porsche that has been released since 1998 is just an evolution of that water-cooled engine and should be reliable well over 150,000 miles. Buying an older Porsche is usually a pretty safe bet.