2013 Porsche Boxster Problems & Complaints

Average1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Boxster at the same age

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2013 Porsche Boxster with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Boxster at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (3 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

10complaints
1recalls
1crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2013 Porsche Boxster problems

  • Engine & cooling~9,000 miles
    330%
  • Body & structure~5,000 miles
    220%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~25,000 miles
    220%
  • Other / not specified~6,000 miles
    220%
  • Suspension
    220%
  • Equipment & accessories
    110%
  • Brakes~25,000 miles
    110%

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

19971998199920002001200220032005200620132014201522322851310121851023
Owner complaints per model year, Porsche Boxster. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Boxster years: 2014, 2000, 2006. Years to avoid: 2005, 1998, 1999, 1997. Compare all years →

2013 Porsche Boxster recalls (1)

Power train › Axle assembly

NHTSA recall 21V-679 · Sep 1, 2021 · 4,934 vehicles

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.

What 2013 Porsche Boxster owners say

Engine & cooling

My 2013 Boxster is currently at the dealer for repairs for the 7th time due to rodent damage to wiring. Porsche used a soy based compound on its wires which is extremely attractive to rodents. Porsche Germany and Porsche north America deny the use of these products. An email yesterday stated "we do not have any information that indicates we currently or previously used a soy based product in our wiring". The damage occurs in our garage which is not enclosed. This damage has been ongoing since 6/25/15.

9,000 miles · Jun 2015

I rented a 2013 Porsche boxter conv. They dropped it off to me at store, due to my car being towed away from being hit. Was quickly shown the outside to verify no body or wheel damage' few days later, driving rental, I pull up behind a pick up truck on the coldwater cyn in los angeles, (one way, each direction} traffic came to a standstill, and then my engine shut off, tachometer went to zero. Odd, and as I was reaching for key to restart, I gently put my foot on the accelerator, and wow, car comes alive and lurches into truck in front of me. Now damage to car can be repaired, but if I had been at a crosswalk when this happened, I could have killed or seriously injured pedestrian. \ dealer later tells me car has option of auto stop.\ should be required of rental car companies to inform renter of this feature so as not to have accidents.

Jun 2013 · crash

2013 Porsche Boxster engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.7L 6-cyl7-speed dual-clutchRWD22 / 31 / 25
2.7L 6-cyl6-speed manualRWD20 / 29 / 24
3.4L 6-cyl7-speed dual-clutchRWD21 / 29 / 24
3.4L 6-cyl6-speed manualRWD20 / 27 / 22

EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Porsche Boxster a good car?

Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Boxster rates average: 1.4× 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 2013 Porsche Boxster?

The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (2) and transmission & drivetrain (2).

How many recalls does the 2013 Porsche Boxster have?

There is 1 recall for the 2013 Porsche Boxster, the most recent from September 1, 2021 (axle assembly). 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 2013 Porsche Boxster problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 9,000 miles; 100% 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.