Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 | −50% | 2 | Suspension | Good |
| 2014 | 2 | −60% | 3 | Body | Good |
| 2013 | 10 | 1.4× | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 2006 | 5 | −50% | — | Engine | Good |
| 2005 | 18 | 2.0× | — | Engine | Caution |
| 2003 | 12 | −30% | 2 | Transmission | Average |
| 2002 | 10 | 1.3× | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 2001 | 13 | −20% | 2 | Electrical | Average |
| 2000 | 5 | −50% | 1 | Engine | Good |
| 1999 | 28 | 3.0× | 1 | Engine | Caution |
| 1998 | 32 | 3.4× | 1 | Body | Avoid |
| 1997 | 22 | 2.3× | 3 | Airbag | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median Boxster year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Porsche Boxster problems
Latest Porsche Boxster recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
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.
Power train › Axle assembly
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Boxster, 2013-2014 Boxster S, 2014-2015 Cayman, Cayman S, 2015 Boxster GTS, and Cayman GTS vehicles. The rear-axle carrier side sections may fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear-axle carrier side sections, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243.
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Porsche 911, Boxster, and Cayman vehicles manufactured May 7, 2014, to September 23, 2014. The front hood upper lock components were not manufactured to specification and may fail to securely latch the vehicle's hood during operation.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock on the front hood, free of charge. The recall began December 12, 2014. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243.
Seats
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2014 Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman, Cayman S and 911 Carrera (S, Cabriolet, S Cabriolet, 4, 4S, 4 Cabriolet, 4s Cabriolet) vehicles manufactured September 2, 2013, through September 23, 2013.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2013. Owners may contact Porsche at 1-770-290-3500. Porsche's recall number is AD04.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Porsche Boxster should you avoid?
2005, 1998, 1999 and 1997 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Boxster years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2005.
What is the best year for the Porsche Boxster?
2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other Boxster years at the same age, followed by 2000 and 2006. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Porsche Boxster problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (56), air bags (29) and electrical system (26). Engine complaints peak in the 1999 model year.
How many recalls has the Porsche Boxster had?
7 recalls across 1997–2015. The model year with the most is 1997. See all Porsche Boxster recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.