Most common 2002 Porsche Boxster problems
Share of the 10 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 →
2002 Porsche Boxster recalls (2)
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 › 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.
What 2002 Porsche Boxster owners say
Engine & cooling
I was driving at low speeds in town, and the car stalled with the check engine light flashing. The car was towed to a local dealer (Porsche of lansing) who indicated that the timing chain broke (prematurely, as the car only has 37600mi). The car was in repair for 7 weeks, at a cost of $7700. The day after the repair was finished, the car made a loud ticking noise and then a v. Loud snapping sound from the engine. The dealer indicated that the timing chain slipped causing catastrophic engine damage. This time, the dealer has agreed to replace the engine with a new (remanufactured) unit. I contacted Porsche for good will assistance regarding the original premature engine failure. They declined to give any support because the failure occurred "more than 1 year after the original warranty expired" (the dealer claimed the in-service date was 10/2001). …
On two occasions and on two separate vehicle engine camshaft failed while driving. Dealer and manufacturer were aware of problem. Feel free to provide any further information.
2002 Porsche Boxster engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Porsche Boxster a good car?
Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Boxster rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Boxster at the same age. 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 2002 Porsche Boxster?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (2) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 2002 Porsche Boxster have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2002 Porsche Boxster, the most recent from August 30, 2022 (headlights). 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 2002 Porsche Boxster problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 67% 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.