Most common 1997 Porsche Boxster problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Porsche Boxster complaints by model year
Best Boxster years: 2014, 2000, 2006. Years to avoid: 2005, 1998, 1999, 1997. Compare all years →
1997 Porsche Boxster recalls (3)
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.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The ignition switch can crack and cause electrical failures.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new type ignition switch.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with tiptronic transmissions. The bearing sleeves can seize in the intermediate selector levers.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the affected bearing sleeves of the lever with bearing sleeves of an improved design.
What 1997 Porsche Boxster owners say
Air bags
I took my 1997 Porsche Boxster to my Porsche service dealer in cincinnati, ohio with a seat belt warning light on. A diagnosis was done and code received, to the effect that my seat belts needed replacing, both driver and passenger, due to a electrical short in the seat belt warning/air bag system. The total repair ranges @ $1100, $500 parts + $600 labor. I have researched this problem with Porsche boxsters going back to the late nineties up to today. Porsche north America has done some remedial work through dealers on this problem, but has not fully owned the potential safety issue with these electrical modules shorting out leaving drivers and passengers unprotected. Their arrogance in this matter is over the top for a supposedly "high end" line of vehicles. I have tried to work with them, volunteering to pay part of the expense. …
Dt: recall 98V113000. Was issued concerning ignition switch failure. Caller said her car had same failure as mentioned in recall. Dealer said this car was not included in recall. Manufacturer said this car was not under warranty , and not in the recall, and will offer no help. Also, another recall 98e005000. Concerning air bags was mentioned. Caller said they will not help her with this recall either. Caller has paid for problems that should be under these recalls.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Porsche Boxster. The contact stated the ignition switch was cracked and causing electrical failures to the air conditioner, wipers and head lights. The contact notices a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 98V113000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) but was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer should extend the recall since the failure was a known safety defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Dt: recall 98V113000. Was issued concerning ignition switch failure. Caller said her car had same failure as mentioned in recall. Dealer said this car was not included in recall. Manufacturer said this car was not under warranty , and not in the recall, and will offer no help. Also, another recall 98e005000. Concerning air bags was mentioned. Caller said they will not help her with this recall either. Caller has paid for problems that should be under these recalls.
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Porsche Boxster. While attempting to engage in park gear, the shifter became very difficult to move out of the drive position. The vehicle was towed to an unknown independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission selector seized and the selector leveler had to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer; however, Porsche of westwood in westwood, massachusetts was contacted by phone. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 98V112000 (power train) several years ago. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Porsche Boxster. The contact stated that the gear shift failed to shift into the park position. As a result, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear into neutral in order to start the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the gear indicator displayed that the vehicle was in reverse while it was in parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 98V112000 (power train). The failure mileage was 57,000.
1997 Porsche Boxster engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Porsche Boxster a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Boxster rates use caution: 2.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Boxster at the same age. It is one of the Boxster years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Porsche Boxster?
The air bags — 7 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (7) and transmission & drivetrain (5).
How many recalls does the 1997 Porsche Boxster have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1997 Porsche Boxster, the most recent from January 23, 2003 (automatic transmission). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Porsche Boxster?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2000 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 1998, 1999 and 1997. See the full Porsche Boxster years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Porsche Boxster problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 36% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.