Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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.
While I was driving on a city street at about 30 MPH, my 2005 Boxster started making a rattling noise, then completely died in the middle of an intersection on a city street without any prior warning. At the same time, all of the warning lights came on. I was able to put the car in neutral and coast to the side of the road. Car was towed to my mechanic, who states it is an intermediate shaft bearing issue/failure. Had I been driving on the freeway at high speed, I most likely would have been killed. I am the original owner of the car, it has 128,000 miles and recommended maintenance is all up to date.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Porsche Boxster. The contact stated while traveling approximately 55 MPH, the engine made a loud noise, various warning lamps illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the motor needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic suggested that the vehicle be taken to an authorized Porsche dealer for repairs. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who verified the failure and stated that the motor had self destructed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was to be inspected and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000. Updated 8/12/14 updated 8/23/2017
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). …
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.
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.
I have a 1999 Boxster. At 9500 miles the engine blew up. Ira motors in danvers replaced it with a rebuilt engine. I have had numerous problems with this car since then but it has been under warranty. My car is always garaged in winter and has only 25,000 miles on the new motor. In mid oct. Of this year my car started running rough when started in the morning. It was due for it's 30,000 mi check up soon so I took it into the dealer. I spent $1000 for the check up and two days later picked it up and it was running rough again. Coughing, choking and stalling out. I left the car there. The dealer told me they couldn't duplicate the problem. I took the car home and when the weather got colder it happened again and again. I have taken it back to the dealer 4 times. The last time the service dept. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Porsche Boxster years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (16), 2005 (12) and 1998 (8) model years. Engine complaints make up 57% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Porsche Boxster engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Porsche Boxster model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Porsche Boxster engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles; 65% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (15 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (9).
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.