1. 1IMS (intermediate-shaft) bearing: the sealed ball bearing gets no continuous oil feed and, if it fails, can lose cam timing and destroy the engine. The 996.2 (roughly MY2002–2005) uses the weaker single-row bearing that carries the higher cited failure rate — litigation disclosed figures up to about 8% — so a documented IMS retrofit (aftermarket kits from specialists such as LN Engineering exist) is a real plus and is worth doing during any clutch job.
2. 2Bore scoring, cracked cylinders and slipped liners are the more serious M96 failure and can require an engine rebuild or replacement. Before buying, listen for a cold-start rattle or knock on cylinder 6 and check the oil for metal; a clean bore-scope is worth more than model year, since the single-row IMS spans the whole 996.2 run.
3. 3Weeping rear main seals (RMS) are common on the M96 and often minor but can recur; check for oil at the bell-housing and factor a reseal into the clutch and flywheel work these cars eventually need.
4. 4Recall NHTSA 04V070 covered 2003-model-year 911s whose front seat backs could tilt rearward on one side in a rear-end impact; the remedy was replacement front seats. It is the only recorded NHTSA campaign for these years, so on a 2003 car confirm it was carried out.

• 04V0700002003
  Front seat backs could tilt rearward on one side in a rear-end impact; remedy is replacement front seats.

US NHTSA campaigns for this model. A listed campaign may not apply to a particular car, and may already have been remedied — check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.