2001 PORSCHE 911 TURBO

COOLANT PIPE EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHILE ON A PUBLIC ROADWAY. WAS TRAVELING ON STRAIGHT, SMOOTH ROAD ABOUT 55-60MPH WHEN COOLANT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE ROSE WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD NO WHERE TO PULL OVER ON THE TWO-LANE ROAD, SO WAS FORCED TO STOP CAR IN LANE, PUTTING MYSELF AND FAMILY AT RISK OF BEING HIT BY TRAFFIC WHILE WE WAITED 4 HOURS FOR A TOW.

COOLANT PIPES COME APART WHILE DRIVING AND THERE WAS RAPID LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. THE PROBLEM EXISTS ON THE GT1 MOTOR BECAUSE THERE ARE A COUPLE COOLANT PIPES IN THESE MOTORS THAT ARE NOT A SINGLE CAST PIECE: THE LARGER CAST PIECES HAVE EXTRUDED INLET/OUTLET TUBES THAT ARE CONNECTED USING AN ADHESIVE. THERE IS NO METAL-TO-METAL FRICTION OR PRESS-FIT TO KEEP THESE TUBES IN PLACE, SO AFTER ENOUGH HEAT CYCLES THE ADHESIVE WILL SOFTEN/LOOSEN UP AND THE TUBE WILL COME OUT OF THE CAST BLOCK (WITH THE HOSE STILL ATTACHED), RESULTING IN A RAPID LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. ....UPDATED 04/25/16 *BF

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM. ONE OF THE ALUMINUM HOSE FITTINGS THAT IS EPOXIED INTO THE ALUMINUM HOUSING BROKE FREE CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT TO EMPTY OUT OF THE ENGINE ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THE RUBBER HOSE DID NOT FAIL AND IT WAS STILL CONNECTED TO ALUMINUM HOSE FITTING THAT BROKE AWAY FROM THE HOUSING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. FURTHER INSPECTION AT THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER SHOWED THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TO NO COOLANT LEFT IN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. *TR

PRESS FIT GLUED COOLANT PIPE FITTING FAILED ? COOLANT COVERED ENGINE AND REAR TIRES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH AND I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED INCREASING AND THAT THERE WAS STEAM BELLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND CAR WAS POURING OUT COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT - HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER TO INSPECT. CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH EPOXY COOLANT PIPE FAILURE WHERE THE EPOXY HAD FAILED TO KEEP COOLANT PIPE IN PLACE. *TR

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY PORSCHE TECHNICIAN THAT PORSCHE USED AN INFERIOR AND MECHANICALLY POOR DESIGN FOR THE ENGINE COOLANT LINES. THEY ARE GLUED TOGETHER IN A PLACE WHERE THEY GET HOT. AFTER SEVERAL HEAT CYCLES, THEY WILL FAIL. ALL CARS WITH THIS ENGINE DESIGN WILL HAVE THIS FAILURE OVER TIME. IF THE COOLANT LINES FAIL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THE SLICK COOLANT CAN GET ON THE TIRES AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE ENGINE CAN OVERHEAT WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF OVER $20,000. PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THIS, AS THEY HAVE USED A SUPERIOR THREADED DESIGN ON THEIR RACE CARS WITH THIS ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS WILL TAKE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, AND THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE FOR WEEKS. *TR

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY PORSCHE TECHNICIAN THAT PORSCHE USED AN INFERIOR AND MECHANICALLY POOR DESIGN FOR THE ENGINE COOLANT LINES. THEY ARE GLUED TOGETHER IN A PLACE WHERE THEY GET HOT. AFTER SEVERAL HEAT CYCLES, THEY WILL FAIL. ALL CARS WITH THIS ENGINE DESIGN WILL HAVE THIS FAILURE OVER TIME. IF THE COOLANT LINES FAIL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THE SLICK COOLANT CAN GET ON THE TIRES AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE ENGINE CAN OVERHEAT WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF OVER $20,000. PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THIS, AS THEY HAVE USED A SUPERIOR THREADED DESIGN ON THEIR RACE CARS WITH THIS ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS WILL TAKE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, AND THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE FOR WEEKS. *TR

MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT PORSCHE USED AN INFERIOR AND MECHANICALLY POOR DESIGN FOR THE ENGINE COOLANT LINES. THEY ARE GLUED TOGETHER IN A PLACE WHERE THEY GET HOT. AFTER SEVERAL HEAT CYCLES, THEY WILL FAIL. ALL CARS WITH THIS ENGINE DESIGN WILL HAVE THIS FAILURE OVER TIME. IF THE COOLANT LINES FAIL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THE SLICK COOLANT CAN GET ON THE TIRES AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE ENGINE CAN OVERHEAT WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF OVER $20,000. PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THIS, AS THEY HAVE USES A SUPERIOR THREADED DESIGN ON THEIR RACE CARS WITH THIS ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS WILL TAKE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, AND THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE FOR WEEKS. *TR

MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT PORSCHE USED AN INFERIOR AND MECHANICALLY POOR DESIGN FOR THE ENGINE COOLANT LINES. THEY ARE GLUED TOGETHER IN A PLACE WHERE THEY GET HOT. AFTER SEVERAL HEAT CYCLES, THEY WILL FAIL. ALL CARS WITH THIS ENGINE DESIGN WILL HAVE THIS FAILURE OVER TIME. IF THE COOLANT LINES FAIL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THE SLICK COOLANT CAN GET ON THE TIRES AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE ENGINE CAN OVERHEAT WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF OVER $20,000. PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THIS, AS THEY HAVE USES A SUPERIOR THREADED DESIGN ON THEIR RACE CARS WITH THIS ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS WILL TAKE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, AND THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE FOR WEEKS. *TR

I WAS ACCELERATING UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH) ON A ON RAMP WHEN I HEARD A POP UNDER THE CAR. I FELT THE CAR SHAKE AND DECIDED TO PULL OVER. I DISCOVERED COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND THE SHAKE WAS CAUSED BY MY REAR TIRES SLIPPING AND TRACTION CONTROL COMPENSATING FOR ACCELERATION UNDER SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. LUCKILY I DIDN'T LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO ANOTHER PERSON THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH TO THEM OR MYSELF. THE COOLANT PIPING IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MODEL CAR, IT IS ONLY SECURED BY A GLUE LIKE SUBSTANCE NOT CLAMPED, IT SEEM THE GLUE LET GO AND CAUSED A PRESSURE RELEASE IN MY COOLANT SYSTEM. *TR

PROBLEM SIMILAR TO CASE PE13009 INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN COOLANT LOSS WHICH OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS WELL UNDER HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT (LESS THAN 60MPH). THE PROBLEM OCCUR SUDDEN WITH NO WAY TO AVOID AND CHECK PRIOR INCIDENT HAPPEN. THIS COULD CAUSE HUGE ISSUE TO OTHER MOTORWAY DRIVERS AND I HOPE PORSCHE USA CAN BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. *TR

PROBLEM SIMILAR TO CASE PE13009 INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN COOLANT LOSS WHICH OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS WELL UNDER HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT (LESS THAN 60MPH). THE PROBLEM OCCUR SUDDEN WITH NO WAY TO AVOID AND CHECK PRIOR INCIDENT HAPPEN. THIS COULD CAUSE HUGE ISSUE TO OTHER MOTORWAY DRIVERS AND I HOPE PORSCHE USA CAN BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN SUDDENLY THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. INSTANTLY, TEMPERATURE STARTED RISING AND I SHUT IT DOWN. I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS WRONG BUT I FOUND COOLANT ALL OVER THE REAR WHEELS AND TIRES. AFTER SITTING ON SIDE OF ROAD, ANOTHER PORSCHE OWNER STOPPED BY. WE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS JUST OVERHEATING, SO WE ADDED WATER. IT SEEMED FINE SO I STARTED DRIVING HOME AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE PUT THE CAR ON MY BUDDY'S LIFT AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE MOTOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND TALKING TO MY MECHANIC, IT APPEARS THAT THE COOLANT HOSES THAT ARE BONDED TO THE EXCHANGER HAVE SEPARATED. APPARENTLY, THE HOSE IS GLUED TO THE FITTING. THEY ARE BOTH METAL. MY MECHANIC IS STILL TRYING TO IDENTIFY A PERMANENT FIX BUT AS OF YET WE HAVEN'T FIXED IT. I AM WAITING A BIT TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO FIX THE CAR TO AVOID FUTURE FAILURE. THE CAR HAS LOW MILES AND I AM CONCERNED AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN SUDDENLY THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. INSTANTLY, TEMPERATURE STARTED RISING AND I SHUT IT DOWN. I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS WRONG BUT I FOUND COOLANT ALL OVER THE REAR WHEELS AND TIRES. AFTER SITTING ON SIDE OF ROAD, ANOTHER PORSCHE OWNER STOPPED BY. WE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS JUST OVERHEATING, SO WE ADDED WATER. IT SEEMED FINE SO I STARTED DRIVING HOME AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE PUT THE CAR ON MY BUDDY'S LIFT AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE MOTOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND TALKING TO MY MECHANIC, IT APPEARS THAT THE COOLANT HOSES THAT ARE BONDED TO THE EXCHANGER HAVE SEPARATED. APPARENTLY, THE HOSE IS GLUED TO THE FITTING. THEY ARE BOTH METAL. MY MECHANIC IS STILL TRYING TO IDENTIFY A PERMANENT FIX BUT AS OF YET WE HAVEN'T FIXED IT. I AM WAITING A BIT TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO FIX THE CAR TO AVOID FUTURE FAILURE. THE CAR HAS LOW MILES AND I AM CONCERNED AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

FIRST I NOTICED A BURST OF WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE REAR, AND AFTER THAT, ENGINE TEMPERATURE START TO GO UP. SINCE I HAVE VERY CLOSE TO HOME, I JUST CRUISE BACK. *TR AFTER INSPECTION AT MECHANIC, COOLANT HOSE HAS FLY OFF ITSELF AND CAUSING ALL THE ENGINE COOLANT LOST. REPAIRING IT COSTS ME 5000+ AS IT REQUIRES DROPPING THE ENGINE, MANY HOURS OF LABOR AND 2 WEEKS WITHOUT THE CAR.

MY CAR SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF COOLANT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY A PLUME OF SMOKE APPEARED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I THOUGHT THAT MY ENGINE HAD BLOWN AND I PULLED THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD. TURNS OUT THAT SMOKE WAS ACTUALLY STEAM! I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE WATER CONSOLE FITTINGS HAVING BLOWN OUT. THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THESE FITTINGS WERE HELD INTO THE CONSOLE WITH AN EPOXY FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND THAT THE EPOXY EVENTUALLY FAILS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING STRAIGHT WHEN THE COOLANT ESCAPED OR THE RESULT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THE SHOP REPAIRED MY CONSOLE BY REPLACING THE FITTINGS AND ALUMINUM WELDING THEM IN PLACE SO THEY COULD NOT FAIL AGAIN. THEY HAD TO LOWER THE ENGINE TO DO THIS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF OTHER FITTINGS THAT WERE SIMILARLY EPOXIED IN PLACE ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE THAT SHOULD BE WELDED TOO. THEY SAID THEIR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT FAILURES OF THOSE UPPER ENGINE FITTINGS HAVE BEEN LESS COMMON. I OPTED TO NOT HAVE THOSE FITTING WELDED AT THAT TIME AS THE SHOP WOULD HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THE ENGINE AT CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE. THEY RECOMMENDED I HAVE THEM WELDED IF EVER THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED FROM THE CAR. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM VIRGINIA TO TEXAS WHEN I EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE OEM ADHESIVE ON THE COOLANT LINE FITTINGS IN MY 911 TURBO. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WESTBOUND ON I10. IT COST ME $3700 TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND HAVE ALL OF THE FITTINGS TIG WELDED IN PLACE TO ENSURE THIS NEVER OCCURS AGAIN. *TR

ENGINE COOLANT PIPES THAT ARE EPOXIED IN BY THE MANUFACTURE WORK THEMSELVES LOOSE OVER TIME AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC COOLANT LOSS THAT SPRAYS COOLANT ALL OVER THE REAR TIRES CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE PULLED AND THE COOLANT PIPES REPLACED AND WIELDED IN. *TR

FACTORY PORSCHE COOLANT FITTINGS FAILED AND RELEASED FROM ENGINE BLOCK. DUMPED COOLANT OVER REAR TIRES. OEM COOLANT FITTINGS ARE GLUED INTO THE BLOCK AND FATIGUE OVER TIME. THEY SHOULD BE WELDED OR THREADED INTO BLOCK TO PREVENT SAFETY ISSUES. CAR WOULD HAVE LOST TOTAL CONTROL IF TRAVELING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS. *TR

I WAS TOLD BY SIMILAR OWNERS LIKE MYSELF THAT THE 996 AND 997 PLATFORMS COOLANT HOSE RUPTURE DUE TO BEING GLUED FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE IT HAD 19,000 MILES AND MY CAR HAD 85,000 MILES AND I HAD NOT HAD AN ISSUE SO I WAS NOT SURE HOW TRUE IT WAS. ON SEP 29, OF 2012 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HWY WITH MY BROTHER WHEN I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND WENT TO THE BACK OF THE MOTOR AND THE COOLANT HOSE NEAR THE ALTERNATOR HAD POP OFF DUE TO THE GLUE NOT HOLDING ANY LONGER. I'M GLAD THAT NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT I'M AFRAID OF THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE THE COOLANT LEAKING IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A HIGH RISE RAMP, ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY A DEATH TO MYSELF OR PEOPLE FOLLOWING BEHIND ME. I HAVE SINCE TALKED TO A FEW OTHER PORSCHE OWNERS AND THEY ALL SEEM TO KNOW MANY OTHER OWNERS WHOM HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. SOME ACTUALLY DAMAGING OTHER'S PROPERTY DUE TO SPIN OUT'S BECAUSE OF THE SLIPPERY COOLANT. SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN PRECAUTION AND HAD A FITTING WELDED IN PLACE, AND CLAMPED ON. I BELIEVE THE FACTORY SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE AND DONE IT CORRECTLY VS GLUING A COOLANT HOSE. *TR

WATER MANIFOLD HAS PRESS-FIT EPOYY CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO COME LOOSE. MINE DID AND I LOST ALL OF MY COOLANT. IT BLEW ACROSS THE WHOLE ENGINE BAY AND OVER BACK TIRES. VERY DANGEROUS AS A CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL BEHIND ME AS WELL. TOOK ENGINE APART AND WELDED TWO OF THE FITTINGS BUT SEVERAL OTHERS REMAIN OEM. EXPENSIVE FIX THUS FAR, AND NOT YET DONE. VERY POOR DESIGN AND DANGEROUS!! *TR

SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF COOLANT HOSE 996.106.502.74 BY LONGITUDINAL SPLIT APPROXIMATELY 4" LONG. COOLANT DUMPED ON LR WHEEL CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE SPIN. *TR

SRS SYSTEM ON PORSCHE 911 TURBO 2001 HAS BEEN IN TO DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES TO ATTEMPT TO SOLVE A SRS MALFUNCTION LIGHT. PORSHE REPAIRS AND RETURNS TO ME STATING THAT CAR IS SAFE. LAST FALL WHEN LIGHT CAME ON THEY SAID IT WAS A CONTROL MODULE AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ONE WOULD CURE IT, LESS THAN 2,000 MILES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THAT REPAIR AND CAR WAS STORED FOR THE WINTER, IT HAS FAIL AGAIN AND THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE SEATBELT, WHICH HAS BEEN DONE 4 PREVIOUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE TRIED TO RAISE THIS ISSUE WITHIN PORSCHE NORTH AMERICAN BOTH THRU MY DEALERSHIP, FIELD REP AND WRITING DIRECTLY. I BELIEVE I HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL SAFETY ISSUE AND TRACK RECORD OF PORSCHE NOT BEING ABLE TO SOLVE IT. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2001 PORSCHE 911 TURBO BEGAN POPPING OUT OF SECOND GEAR UPON DECELERATION. PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARS, AND EVEN HAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN OUT THAT STATES IT MIGHT BE BECAUSE OF ASSEMBLY DEFECTS. CERTAINLY, THE BRASS SYNCHROS IN THE TRANSMISSION ARE VERY WEAK AND PRONE TO FAILURE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN SUCH AN EXPENSIVE AND POWERFUL CAR. PORSCHE HAS TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND CHARGES UPWARDS OF $5000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAR CHANGE DRAMATICALLY WHEN YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN, ESPECIALLY IF TURNING A CORNER AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 PORSCHE 911 TURBO. ON IT, I HAVE PS2 TIRES FROM MICHELIN. BOTH OF MY REAR TIRES HAVE SPLIT ON THE INNER SIDEWALL, NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT. THE TIRES OBVIOUSLY WOULD HOLD NO AIR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST WHEN EITHER TIRE FAILED, BUT THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE TIRE SIZES ARE 315/19/25 ZR RATED AND COST ALMOST $500 EACH. FROM MY READING AND POSTING ON 6SPEEDONLINE.COM, I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED JUST TO ME. *NM

ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2001, I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A LARGE PASSENGER VEHICLE OR SUV, WHILE DRIVING A BRAND-NEW 2001 911 PORSCHE TURBO, SUPPOSEDLY EQUIPPED WITH SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME RAN A STOP SIGN AND THE DRIVER DID NOT APPLY HIS BRAKES. I HAD NO STOP SIGN. I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 25 MILES AN HOUR WHEN IT IMPACTED ME AND MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE PORCH. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME, HIT THE PORSCHE DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE, IT RIPPED THE SIDE MIRROR OFF THE PORSCHE, BLEW OUT ALL THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLASS, AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPERATE OR DEPLOY AND THE DOOR FLEXED AND HIT ME (THE DRIVER) IN THE LEFT SIDE. THE SIDE AIR BAG, ACCORDING TO PORSCHE LITERATURE, IS SUPPOSED TO INFLATE AND PROVIDE A PROTECTIVE CUSHION BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND THE DOOR. THE DAMAGE TO THE PORSCHE WAS SIGNIFICANT, COSTING WELL OVER $15,000 TO REPAIR. WHILE FOLLOWING UP WITH PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA AS TO WHY THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF PCNA, IN POSITIONS OF IMPORTANCE AND KNOWLEDGE WITHIN THE COMPANY, TOLD ME THAT THE SIDE AIR BAGS DO NOT OPERATE AT ALL (OR DEPLOY) WHEN THE PORSCHE IS IMPACTED BY AN SUV, OR OTHER PASSENGER CAR THAT HAS A HIGHER FRAME THAN THE PORSCHE. I WAS TOLD BY THESE SAME GENTLEMEN FROM PCNA THAT THE REASON FOR THIS WAS THAT THE TRIGGERING DEVICES ON THE PORSCHE WERE SET VERY LOW IN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THESE SAME GENTLEMEN THAT THE DEALER THAT LEASED ME THE VEHICLE, CHAMPION MOTORS IN POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA, HAS A HISTORY OF EVEN LOWERING THE PORSCHE VEHICLES FURTHER BEFORE THEY ARE SOLD. AFTER I LEARNED THESE FACTS, I TELEPHONED SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NHTSA AND I WAS ROLLED THAT THIS IS NOT THE WAY SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEMS ARE DESIGNED, OR SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED, TO OPERATE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS DEFECT. *NLM