2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Recalled for Seat Belt Anchor Defect
Porsche recalled 235 units of the 2012 911 Carrera S and related models in September 2011 due to a seat belt anchor plate defect that could compromise occupant safety.
Porsche Cars North America recalled 235 vehicles, including the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S, after identifying a fault with the seat belt anchor plates. The issue, affecting cars built between 31 May and 10 June 2011, centred on mounting holes in the anchor plates that may have been machined too small. As a result, the anchor plate might not rotate properly around the fastening bolt, compromising the seat belt's ability to restrain occupants as intended in a crash.
The recall, filed with US safety authorities under campaign number 11V409000, also applied to a range of other 2011 and 2012 Porsche models. These included the 911 Carrera, Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Carrera GTS, Targa 4, Targa 4S, Turbo, Turbo S, GT3 RS, Speedster, Boxster, Boxster S, Boxster Spyder, Cayman, Cayman S and Cayman R. All were manufactured within the same short production window in early summer 2011.
Nature of the defect and risk to occupants
Porsche found that the reduced diameter of the seat belt anchor plate holes could prevent the plate from rotating around its bolt as designed. This could affect the routing of the seat belt across the occupant or, in some cases, cause the belt to loosen over time. In a crash, such a failure would increase the risk of injury by reducing the effectiveness of the restraint system.
Recall process and repair
Porsche began notifying owners by mail on 2 September 2011. The company instructed its dealers to inspect the seat belt anchors and replace the seat belt assembly if necessary. All work was carried out free of charge. Owners could contact Porsche customer service or the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for further information. Porsche's internal reference for the recall was AB02.
The recall campaign covered only a small number of vehicles due to the limited production period involved. Owners were advised to check their vehicle identification number (VIN) through the official NHTSA website to confirm whether their car was affected and to ensure the recall repair had been completed if required.
Other Porsche 911 Carrera recalls
This 2012 seat belt anchor recall was distinct from later campaigns affecting the 911 Carrera, which have included issues with seat belt locking retractors, brake booster connections and rear axle control arm fastenings. Each recall has targeted specific model years and build periods, so owners should consult official sources for the most up-to-date information.
For further details on the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S and related models, see our coverage of the model's launch and technical developments at/2012-porsche-911-going-to-la-auto-show
