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2012 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa 4S

The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa 4S is a 350-hp 3.4-liter flat-6 with a 7-speed manual or 7-speed pdk and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $106,400 MSRP.

It makes 350 horsepower and 287 lb-ft of torque, spinning to a 7,800 rpm redline.

The 911 Carrera measures 176.8 inches long on a 96.5-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,042 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$106,400 ($150,610 *)
MSRP with Destination$107,350 ($151,954 *)
Destination Charge$950
Engine
Engine TypeNaturally Aspirated Flat-6 (Boxer), Rear-Engine
Displacement3.4 L
Horsepower350 hp
Torque287 lb-ft
Redline7,800 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24V, VarioCam Plus (variable timing & lift on intake side)
Bore and Stroke97.0 x 77.5
Compression Ratio12.5:1
Injection TypeDirect Fuel Injection (DFI); 3-way catalytic converter
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission7-speed manual or 7-speed PDK
1st Gear3.91 (46 mph **)
2nd Gear2.29 (79 mph **)
3rd Gear1.55 (117 mph **)
4th Gear1.3 (139 mph **)
5th Gear1.08 (168 mph **)
6th Gear0.88 (206 mph **)
7th Gear0.71 (255 mph **)
Reverse3.55
Final Drive3.44
Fuel Economy
Recommended FuelPremium Plus (98 RON)
Suspension
Front SuspensionMcPherson strut; transverse & longitudinal control arms; vibration dampers in coil springs; EPS
Rear SuspensionMulti-link (5 control arms); cylindrical coil springs with coaxial dampers
Brakes
Front Brake Calipers4-piston aluminum monobloc
Front Brake DiscPerforated vented, 330 mm x 28 mm
Rear Brake DiscPerforated vented, 330 mm x 28 mm
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front8.5J x 19
Wheels Rear11.0J x 19
Tires Front235/40 ZR19
Tires Rear285/35 ZR19
Dimensions & Weight
Length176.81 in
Width71.18 in
Height51.3 in
Wheelbase96.46 in
Front Track60.31 in
Rear Track59.76 in
Cargo Volume12 ft³
Curb Weight3,042 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars
** Theoretical max speed per gear at redline

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Tested, but no star ratings were published (2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 DR RWD).

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Porsche 911 CARRERA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Dec 11, 2020 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

Ohlins USA, Inc (Ohlins) is recalling certain Front Struts, part number POS 5N20. These struts were sold as part of Ohlins strut kits part number POZ MN02, intended for installation on 1999-2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 996), and 2001-2006 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 996) and kit part number POZ MN05, intended for installation on 2005-2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (generation 997), and 2006-2013 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S (generation 997). The pin of the strut may experience excessive stress during maximum steering, possibly resulting breakage of the pin.

Consequence: If the pin fails, it will cause separation of the strut from the vehicle, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ohlins will notify owners, and dealers will request the return of all unsold kits containing the subject part from dealer/distributor inventory for a full refund. All owners who purchased one of the kits (POZ MN02 or POZ MN05) will receive replacement front struts (POS 5N20 or POS 5N21 - These parts are interchangeable), along with new top mount interface solutions, free of charge. The recall began December 22, 2020. Owners may contact Ohlins customer service at 1-800-336-9029.

NHTSA campaign 20E091000

Feb 22, 2013 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

Porsche is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2012, through November 12, 2012, and equipped with a standard (not sport) exhaust system. The exhaust tail pipe may fracture and separate from the rear muffler.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear mufflers free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on May 9, 2013. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243.

NHTSA campaign 13V058000

Aug 5, 2011 · SEAT BELTS

PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 911 SPEEDSTER AND 911 GTS RS 4.0; AND MODEL YEAR 2012 BOXSTER (INCLUDING S AND SPYDER); CAYMAN (INCLUDING S AND R); 911 CARRERA (INCLUDING S, GTS, 4, 4S, AND 4 GTS); 911 TARGA 4 AND TARGA 4S; AND 911 TURBO AND TURBO S MODELS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 31, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE MOUNTING HOLES IN THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATES FITTED TO THE VEHICLE ARE TOO SMALL. IF THE HOLE DIAMETER IS TOO SMALL, THE ANCHOR PLATE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ROTATE ABOUT THE FASTENING BOLT AS DESIGNED.

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT BE ROUTED OPTIMALLY AROUND THE OCCUPANT, OR MAY POTENTIALLY LOOSEN AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT ANCHORS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.

NHTSA campaign 11V409000

5 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Porsche 911 CARRERA

Owner Complaints

5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Porsche 911 CARRERA (1 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System1
Engine1
Exterior Lighting1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train1
Structure1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 22, 2024 · Exterior Lighting
“Tail light fall off the car while driving, catching it dangling from the car holding by only one wire. Upon inspection, they came off due to a broken plastic lug that was holding the taillights…”
Oct 18, 2023 · Electrical System, Structure
“1. Door panel Issue. I have a 2012 911, and have noticed last year that the door panels have popped up on both sides, it looks like the glue has given way. It seems that this is a common issue for…”
Jul 8, 2023 · Power Train, Vehicle Speed Control
“Cruising on the highway and a transmission error comes up saying that there's no reverse gear. Got off the highway and even gears aren't engaring, no 2,4,6 gears. 1,3,5,7 gears are engaging. Turned…”
Aug 24, 2020 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“PORSCHE 991 911 AND 981 CAYMAN/BOXSTER MODELS HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE FOAM PADS SECURING THE FUEL TANK DEGRADE OR FALL OUT. THE INITIAL MANIFESTATION IS A SQUEAKING SOUND WHERE THE PLASTIC TANK RUBS…”
Oct 9, 2015 · Unknown Or Other, Engine Fire
“THE AUTOMOBILE LOST POWER ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. AFTER GLIDING TO A HALT, FIRE WAS NOTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY ENGULFED AND DESTROYED THE WHOLE CAR.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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