2001 Porsche Boxster

Routine

Owners filed 13 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000
Service Brakes2
000
Electrical System2
000
Air Bags2
000
Tires1
000
Suspension1
101
Power Train › Driveline1
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash1
010

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights22V656000
Filed Aug 30, 2022222,858 vehiclesPorsche Cars North America, Inc.

Defect. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission03V004000
Filed Jan 23, 200312,234 vehiclesPorsche Cars North America, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN 2-DOOR CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TIPTRONIC (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH AN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED KEY-LOCK-CABLE DOWN TO THE SHIFT SELECTOR. IF THE KEY-LOCK-CABLE IS NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITION KEY WILL SNAG UPON BEING REMOVED FRO THE IGNITION LOCK OR THE SLECTOR LEVER CAN BE SHIFTED FROM POSITION "P" WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED AND THE LOCKING BUTTON OPERATED.

Risk. IF THE SELECTOR LEVER IS THEN SHIFTED FROM POSITION "P" TO POSITION "R, N OR D" WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED, AND IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ON, THE VHEICLE WILL NOT BE SECURED FROM INADVERTENLY ROLLING AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE ADJUSTMENT AND, REGARDLESS OF THE RESULTS OF THIS INSPECTION, THE KEY-LOCK-CABLE MUST ALSO BE ADJUSTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

What owners reported

Newest filings
SuspensionCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 27, 2023LA

The right front suspension failed. Something broke so that the wheel/brake component bent away from the car causing a sudden left hand turn/jerk. This was confirmed upon exiting the car and looking at the front right semi-attached wheel. The car traveled THROUGH highway safety cables, front windshield shattered, right passenger side arm bag deployed and car stopped in median before going into oncoming traffic. The car is currently being picked up and accessed by insurance company. No warning lamps or messages. The front end did seem to "float" prior to the accident - I figured I had a tire problem and was looking to exit the highway up the road. I went to the ER and had flying glass injuries resulting from the crash. Car is a "garage queen!" I never race or have never been on a race track. I have all records of care. No prior accidents or changes have been made to the car. It is 22 years old and was in excellent shape. I have read about incidents like this since the accident - specific to this car model in online sources. I am reporting this to my local Porsche club also so they can be proactive.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 2023FL

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) failure due to premature degradation of plastic wiring harness connectors for ABS wheel speed sensors located in each wheel well. ABS warning light illuminated alerting to the disabling of the system. Issue confirmed by independent repair facility. Dealer was engaged, but denied coverage due to vehicle being out of warranty and no recalls initiated.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 31, 2021NC

There are thousands of complaints/postings appearing on the Internet, including fixes, (many of which may be equally dangerous) whereby the vehicle's central locking mechanism fails, making it impossible for passengers to egress through either door or window. The locking mechanism on the driver's side door has a cheap part that is known to commonly fail. When it does, neither the driver nor passenger door may be opened from either inside or outside of the vehicle. The central locking system is tied in with the door lock, and the windows may sometimes also fail when the lock mechanism fails. We had to remove a fuse from her car to reset the windows so we could extricate her. The Internet is replete with unofficial fixes for this problem, frequently using home-made parts, and Porsche representatives commonly acknowledge the issue and charge a great deal to repair using the same flawed parts. In the event of a crash, both driver & passenger may be trapped with no possible means of egress, without disassembling the driver's side door, which would be impossible in an emergency. I am shocked and outraged that this condition has been allowed to go unaddressed for years, despite being so commonly known that there are literally hundreds of Internet posts and videos telling owners how to temporarily fix their cars using either Porsche parts, or in many cases, home-made parts which would also be seriously dangerous. It is unbelievable that NHTSA has never acted on this issue to compel P

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 21, 201981,195 milesFL

1.EARLIER DATE FIXED WIREHARNESS/DRAINED PARTS AT LOCAL BMW REPAIRMAN GARAGE RESOLVED 2. LATER IN CITY,TURNING IN MOTION CAR SUDDENLY STALL/POWERLOSS OF BRAKES,CLUTCHSTICKY,HEAR TIMING ODD,STEERING DIFFICULT HAD TOWED TO PORSCHE DEALER . GARAGE).PORSCHE DIAGNOSED W MULTIPOINT INSPECTION ,PORSCHE ONLY DID WORK COVERED BY 3RD PARTY EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR A OIL WATER SEPARATOR AND WATER RADIATOR REPLACED AND TOLD ME ENGINE HAS ISSUES,5 MOS LATER STILL AT PORSCHE,CAUTION TO DRIVE,TOWED OUT, PORSCHEMANUF /CR/SC CODES TO REPAIR UNTIL THEN RELEASED CAR W OPERATIVE/SAFETY ISSUES DEALING WITH AIRWATER BLOW OUT ON ENGINE SEALS, AND LOSS OF POWER FOR SAFE DRIVING AND STOPPING AND PARKING.PORSCHE MUST PAY FOR THESE ISSUES REPORTED FOR RECALL REQUIRED MORE THAN JUST WARN ME.HAND BRAKE SUDDEN NONHOLDING SO DRIFT POSSIBLE IN PARKING,BRAKES/CLUTCH UNSAFE PER TOW TRUCKER , ELECTRICAL /TRUCKSWITCH/ROOF /DOOR SWITCH UNABLE TO EXIT /ENTER VEHICLE SAFELY.EACH TIME PORSCHE INSPECTS AND I REPEAT THERE IS FORGET/HEARING ISSUES NOTED, AND DIDNT DO THE MANUFACTURER CODED SAFETY MEASURES AND SAYS DIDNT INCLUDE THE DRIVER WARNINGS /CONCERNS OF SAFETY TO CHECK ON PAPERWORK TO TRACK CONVERSATIONS JUST WHAT MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS DESPITE SAFETY CODES. ATTACH BRAKES CODE/ELECTRICAL CODE/POWERTRAIN CODE/ENGINE RECALLCODE (SAFERCAR.GOV) TRAPPING DRIVER/PASSENGER FOR CRASH & INJURIES AFTER INSPECTIONS/VERBAL CONCERNS UNRESOLVED AND RISK OF SAFETY.NEW BATTERY PLACED IN MONTHS PRIOR.HOUSING AND LUBRICATION SYSTEMS A

Tires
Filed Jul 16, 2014FL

WAS DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE IN THE MIAMI AREA, UNDER RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, DOING ABOUT 75-80 MPH WHEN THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW UP FROM THE SIDE WALL. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE TIRE HAS A 4" OPENING ON THE SIDEWALL CLOSE TO THE WHEEL. CALLED HANKOOK, THEY SENT ME TO A LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR WHO SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TIRES WERE ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD WITH PLENTY OF THREAD LEFT. LAST HANKOOK TIRES FOR ME, FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS. I AM REPLACING ALL THE TIRES ON THIS CAR. TIRE IS A HANKOOK VENTUS V12 EVO. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 2, 201239,000 milesMA

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON YET IT IS NOT DEFECTIVE. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PORSCHE ISSUE. THEY WANT 500 TO FIX IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 17, 201188,870 milesWI

MOTOR FAILED WHILE TRYING TO START IT. ALL VALVES BENT. REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT WAS SERVICED AS PER FACTORY RECOMMENDATIONS.

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Apr 14, 200856,614 milesNY

REAR MAIN SEAL OIL LEAK PRONE TO THE PORSCHE BOXSTER. UNIT WAS FIXED 18 MONTHS AGO UNDER NORMAL FACTORY WARRANTY AND FAILED AGAIN. THE COST OF THE FIX WAS OVER $1,900.00. SHOULDN'T A FIX DONE BY THE DEALER LAST LONGER THEN 18 MONTHS AND 5,500 MILES? PORSCHE TOLD ME TO "DO WHAT I NEED TO DO" TO RECOVER FRONT HE LOSS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 5, 200753,208 milesNY

I WAS RECENTLY TOLD BY A PORSCHE DEALER THAT THE REAR ENGINES SEALS NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2400. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS EXTENSIVELY OVER THE INTERNET, MOST IF NOT ALL PORSCHE BOXSTERS NEED THIS REPLACED BEFORE 60,000 MILES. AND THIS IS DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE SEALS BEING USED UP TO AT LEAST 2004. PORSCHE EVEN DURING THE LATE 1990'S, REPLACED ENGINES UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY EVIDENT THAT THE ISSUES WITH THE REAR MAIN SEALS ARE AN EPIDEMIC AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED. I CALLED PORSCHE HQ AND THEY DECLINED TO DO ANYTHING UNDER GOOD WILL. IT IS JUST NOT RIGHT WHEN SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 4, 200753,208 milesNY

PORSCHE BOXSTERS FROM 1999-2004 HAVE A DEFECTIVE REAR ENGINE SEAL WHICH FAILS IN ALL VEHICLES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE EVEN THE DEALER SAYS IT IS COMMON. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY FIX AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH YEARS AGO. THE NHTSA EVEN HAS TECHNICAL BULLETINS ISSUED ON THIS. THIS IS FAR TOO COMMON OF A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY PORSCHE. THEY HAVE SINCE THEN REPLACED THE REAR SEALS WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE USED ON CAYENNES. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Dec 6, 2005MN

2001 PORSCHE BOXSTER AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED. REPAIR TO THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE THAT IS LINKED TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NOT PERFORMED AND THE AIRBAG LED WAS AGGRESSIVELY RIPPED OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. *TS *JB

Electrical System
Filed Oct 8, 2003200 milesNJ

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP UNLATCHED BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE WINDOW AT NIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN THROUGH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOW DUE TO CRACKS AND NEEDS CONSTANT REPAIRS. THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAR HAS A CRACKING SOUND WHICH THE DEALERSHIP HEARS BUT IGNORES, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS ALL OF THE TIME IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO SPLIT IN HALF, THE SUSPENSION MAKES A VERY LOUD METAL CRACKING NOISES AS IF IT IS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *LA

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Jul 1, 2002IL

THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF ELECTRICAL FAULTING WITHIN THE DASHBOARD AND THE FIRE ORIGINATED WITHIN THE VEHICLE WHERE THERE IS EVIDENCE OF ELECTRICAL FAULTING WITHIN THE DASHBOARD SUFFICIENT TO IGNITE THE WIRING INSULATION AND IMMEDIATE COMBUSTIBLES INTO OPEN FLAME.*AK

13 of 13 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20153200Routine
20142300Routine
201310100Routine
20121100Routine
20065000Routine
200516000Routine
20044300Routine
200312400Routine
200210400Routine
2001 — this page13410Routine
20005310Routine
199928300Routine
199832400Routine
199722620Routine

Compare every Boxster year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 30, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.