DecodedCars2016 Porsche 911
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- Class
- Minicompact Cars
- Body styles
- Carrera 4/4s/4gts 2dr Coupe AWD, Carrera 4/4s/4gts Cabriolet AWD, Carrera Base/S 2dr Coupe RWD, Carrera Base/S Cabriolet 2dr Convertible
- Engines
- 3.4L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 400 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 176.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,087–3,351 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Porsche 911 is a minicompact car offered with 4 engines (3.4L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl turbo and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 97-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,197 lb (Carrera 4/4s/4gts 2dr Coupe AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 1% better than the 2016 minicompact car average of 22.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.
What changed for 2016
- Engine added: 4.0L 6-cyl
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 911 →
Trims, performance & features
Engine–4.0L 6-cyl
Engine400 hp3.8L 6-cyl
Trims
RSS, 4S, GTS, 4 GTS
Built in: Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2016 911 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrera 4/4s/4gts 2dr Coupe AWD | 176.8 in | 72.8 in | 51.2 in | 96.5 in | 60.2 / 61.4 in | 3,197 lb | 38/62 |
| Carrera 4/4s/4gts Cabriolet AWD | 176.8 in | 72.8 in | 51.2 in | 96.5 in | 60.2 / 61.4 in | 3,351 lb | 38/62 |
| Carrera Base/S 2dr Coupe RWD | 176.8 in | 71.3 in | 51.2 in | 96.5 in | 60.2 / 59.8 in | 3,087 lb | 38/62 |
| Carrera Base/S Cabriolet 2dr Convertible | 176.8 in | 71.3 in | 51.2 in | 96.5 in | 60.2 / 59.8 in | 3,241 lb | 38/62 |
| Carrera Gts 2dr Coupe RWD | 176.8 in | 72.8 in | 51.2 in | 96.5 in | 60.2 / 61.4 in | 3,142 lb | 38/62 |
| Carrera Gts Cabriolet 2dr Convertible | 176.8 in | 72.8 in | 51.2 in | 96.5 in | 60.2 / 61.4 in | 3,296 lb | 38/62 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 911 Carrera | 3.4L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | +1% | $3,550 | 385 |
| 911 Carrera Cabriolet | 3.4L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 23 | +1% | $3,550 | 382 |
| 911 Carrera 4 | 3.4L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | +1% | $3,550 | 389 |
| 911 Carrera | 3.4L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 403 |
| 911 Carrera Cabriolet | 3.4L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 405 |
| 911 Carrera S | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 407 |
| 911 Carrera S | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 396 |
| 911 Carrera S Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 412 |
| 911 Carrera S Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 404 |
| 911 Carrera 4 | 3.4L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 406 |
| 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet | 3.4L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 398 |
| 911 Carrera 4S | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 406 |
| 911 Targa 4 | 3.4L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 409 |
| 911 Targa 4S | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 431 |
| 911 Targa 4S | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 419 |
| 911 Targa 4 GTS | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 431 |
| 911 Targa 4 GTS | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 419 |
| 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet | 3.4L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 414 |
| 911 Carrera 4S | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 416 |
| 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 424 |
| 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 416 |
| 911 Carrera GTS | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 911 Carrera GTS | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 418 |
| 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 420 |
| 911 Carrera 4 GTS | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 428 |
| 911 Carrera 4 GTS | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 420 |
| 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 432 |
| 911 Targa 4 | 3.4L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | -7% | $3,900 | 422 |
| 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | -12% | $4,100 | 438 |
| 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl | Manual 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | -12% | $4,100 | 438 |
| 911 Turbo | 3.8L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -12% | $4,100 | 449 |
| 911 Turbo S | 3.8L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -12% | $4,100 | 449 |
| 911 Turbo Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -12% | $4,100 | 449 |
| 911 Turbo S Cabriolet | 3.8L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -12% | $4,100 | 449 |
| 911 GT3 | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -16% | $4,850 | 527 |
| 911 GT3 RS | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -16% | $4,850 | 535 |
| 911 R | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -30% | $5,150 | 543 |
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.7 MPG2016 Minicompact Cars average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Porsche 911.
Similar 2016 minicompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Porsche 911 (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Jaguar F-Type | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Porsche Cayman | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 BMW Z4 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (3)
Child Seat · Dec 11, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V875000 · 15,501 vehicles
- Problem
- Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2014 Cayman and Cayman S, 2014-2016 911 GT3, 2016 911 GT3 RS and 911 R, 2018 911 GT3 and 911 GT2 RS and 2019 911 GT3 RS, 911 GT3, and 911 GT2 RS vehicles. The Child Restraint System (CRS) instructions within the Owner's Manual may not provide enough specificity for proper installation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
- Risk
- Improper CRS installation increases the risk of an injury to the occupant in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will provide a an Owner's Manual supplement with proper CRS installation instructions, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKC0.
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jul 17, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V533000 · 7,517 vehicles
- Problem
- Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2016-2017 911 and Boxster, 2016 Cayman and Panamera vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
- Risk
- Deactivated air bags increase the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 13, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB4.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Mar 2, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V134000 · 120 vehicles
- Problem
- Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2016 911 GT3 RS and 911 R vehicles and 2017 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 911 Carrera 4, 911 Carrera 4S, 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, 911 Targa 4, 911 Targa 4S, 911 Turbo S, 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, 718 Boxster, 718 Boxster S, 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S vehicles. The passenger frontal air bag inflator initiator may fail to ignite during a crash.
- Risk
- If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH03.
Not every 2016 Porsche 911 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
2Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
8,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Porsche 911 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Exterior Lighting — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Visibility/Wiper — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 8,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Porsche 911. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 911 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 5 | 7 |
| 2023 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 8 | 3 |
| 2022 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 8 | 10 |
| 2021 911 | 21 | 178 in | Not rated | 8 | 6 |
| 2020 911 | 20 | 178 in | Not rated | 8 | 7 |
| 2019 911 | 25 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 2 |
| 2018 911 | 25 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2017 911 | 25 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 5 | 6 |
| 2015 911 | 23 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 8 |
| 2014 911 | 23 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 4 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Porsche. How we calculate this →