Porsche 718 Boxster Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Porsche 718 Boxster options? We analyzed 9 model years (2017–2025) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Porsche 718 Boxster has 7 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls across model years 2017–2025. The most reported issue area is SERVICE BRAKES. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2018 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Porsche
- Model
- 718 Boxster
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2025 (9 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 7
- Safety recall campaigns
- 9
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (3 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2018 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Reliability signal
- Excellent
By model year
Porsche 718 Boxster: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
ExcellentThe PORSCHE 718 BOXSTER has 7 NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 7 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 9 federal recall campaigns
- 1 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
9 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2025. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 7 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
7 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
2017 PORSCHE BOXSTER 718 WITH PDK HAS STARTED IN 2ND GEAR ON 3 OCCASIONS MAKING ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED VERY DANGEROUS. 1ST TIME THE PDK TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK AND THEN I MOVED IT TO DRIVE. THE PDK SELECTED GEAR 2 WHILE IN SPORT MODE. 2ND TIME I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, STOPPED TO PUT IN DRIVE, AND THE PDK SELECTED 2ND GEAR. THE 3RD TIME I WAS SLOWING TO A LIGHT AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT RED LIGHT. I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE AND PDK SELECTED 2ND GEAR. I ATTEMPTED IN ALL CASES TO MANUALLY SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR BUT THE PDK WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR. THIS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS FROM ABOUT JULY - SEP 2019. THIS PICTURE IS SHOWING THE 3RD TIME ON SEP 9, 2019.
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN IN THE LANE CLOSET TO THE CURB AT NIGHT WE HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. I PULLED OVER ABOUT TWO BLOCKS AWAY AND NOTICED MY PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WAS DESTROYED AND THE COVER WAS MISSING AS WELL AS THE MIRROR. THE MIRROR WAS ROTATED INWARDS TOWARD THE PASSENGER WINDOW. WE CALLED THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND RETURNED TO WHERE WE HEARD THE EXPLOSION. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATE THE SHERIFFS ARRIVED. WE FOUND THE MIRROR AND THE MISSING COVER ON THE SIDEWALK. GLASS FROM THE MIRROR WAS EMBEDDED IN THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND THE MIRROR HAD ROTATED INWARDS. WE WALKED THE STREET AND COULD NOT FIND ANY ROCKS OR ITEMS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN UP BY THE CAR. THE OUTSIDE OF THE MIRROR CASE HAS LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE, EXCEPT HITTING THE SIDEWALK. IT APPEARED THAT THE MIRROR HAD EXPLODED. I GOOGLED "EXPLODED PASSENGER MIRRORS" ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS A MORE COMMON PROBLEM THAN EXPECTED MAINLY ON HEATED MIRRORS. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE SITE AS WELL AS THE MIRROR DAMAGE. SINCE I WAS IN THE LAND CLOSEST TO THE CURB IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE THAT ANOTHER CARE SIDESWIPED THE MIRROR. ALSO THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE MIRROR AND WHERE ITHE COVER HIT THE CAR.
REAR TIRES ARE COMPLETE BALD AFTER 5000 MILES. WE HAVE HAD CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED AND VERIFIED ALIGNMENT IS FINE AND THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. WHEN WE PURCHASED VEHICLE PARTS WERE MISSING FROM REAR TIRE AND WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVE ABLE AT HIS POINT. THEY ARE SAYING THAT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE DRIVEN BELOW 45 DEGREE. THIS IS MY WIFE'S EVERYDAY CAR BUT ANY SIGNS OF BAD WEATHER SHE TAKES A TRUCK TO WORK. THEY WAS NO MENTION WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR THAT THE TIRE WOULD SELF DESTRUCT AT 40 DEGREES. THERE IS NOTHING IN WRITING FROM THE DEALER OR TIRE MANUFACTURER STATING THIS. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT THEY RECOMMEND SNOW TIRES BELOW 45 BUT THE TIRES ARE NOT DAMAGED UNTIL 5 DEGREES. EVEN AT 5 DEGREES THE TIRE CRACK. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THIS CAR FOR OVER A WEEK NOW WHILE THEY DECIDE WHAT TO DO. THE CAR IS NOT WITH THEM SO NOT SURE WHY IT WOULD TAKE THIS LONG. THERE IS NOTHING THAT STATES THE TIRES FALL APART BELOW 45 DEGREE. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THE TIRES ARE SO SLICK THAT THERE IS NO TRACTION. I WAS INFORMED AT 2500 MILE TIRES SEEMED WORN BUT DEALER TOLD US THEY WERE HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES AND IT IS OK, AND THE PERSON TELLING US DIDN;T UNDERSTAND PORSCHE HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES.
I was traveling North on the 127 expressway in Michigan on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in my brand new Porsche Boxster. It is a manual transmission. There was not a lot of traffic. It was maybe around 4:00 pm and the weather was fine. In the distance I could see a lane closure marked by orange and white barrels. I was going 70 mph. I tried to slow down, but when I pressed down on the brake pedal, NOTHING. There was no resistance and the pedal went all the way to the floor. I hit the brake multiple times and nothing...... Eventually, I rear ended a car in front of me; the driver stated he was going 60-65 miles an hour. My car kept going because there were no brakes. I traveled a long distance before the car came to a stop. The young man and I drove our cars (unbelievably, my brakes worked fine) to the next exit 1&1/2 miles, and we waited for the police to come. Luckily, neither I nor the young man in the car I hit were injured. Neither of our airbags went off. His car didn't even have a dent, but his rear bumper was scratched up. My car has almost $9,000 in damage. On request the car is available for inspection. The service department at the Porsche Dealership in Okemos says the brakes are fine, nothing is wrong with them. At this point, an agent at State Farm, my insurance company, is trying to get permission to hire an Origin and Cause Expert to look at the car. But the insurance company hasn't actually inspected the car (in person) for brake failure or damage assessment.
The seat belt mechanism does not retract on the passenger side of my 2021 Porsche Boxster GTS 718. There was no warning and nothing happened to have caused this. This seat is hardly used as I am the sole driver of this. The seat belt was looked at by a body shop and dealer and we were warned it is an extremely unsafe to have someone in that seat . It does not work as designed and would be dangerous for someone in a short stop or accident etc. At just reached the 4 year mark from when I bought it, seems like a defect in the belt mechanism, according to car experts, as mentioned above .
There is an intermittent problem where the backup camera fails to display an image when the gear selector is in Reverse. Backup camera reveals hazards that are not visible from the driver’s seat. Dealer has so far had three opportunities to diagnose the problem (and failed). Dealer was provided video of engaging reverse while the display failed to show an image. No other inspections were done. No other warnings, etc. I have had the car for 14 months and this (and other related) issues occurred sporadically during that time
Read 1 more owner reports
Engine shuts off while the car is being driven and will not restart.
Showing 7 of 7 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Porsche 718 Boxster
These pages show model-year patterns across 9 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Porsche 718 Boxster, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Porsche 718 Boxster has 7 complaints on record across 9 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Porsche 718 Boxster has 9 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 1 of the Porsche 718 Boxster's 7 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Excellent) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Porsche 718 Boxster vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Porsche 718 Boxster vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Porsche 718 Boxster has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Porsche 718 Boxster by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Porsche 718 Boxster.
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Porsche 718 Boxster reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Porsche 718 Boxster reliable?
Excellent. The Porsche 718 Boxster has 7 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is SERVICE BRAKES. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Porsche 718 Boxster years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (3 complaints), 2018 (0 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Porsche 718 Boxster problems?
Top reported issues: SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints); POWER TRAIN (1 complaints); VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints).
Does the Porsche 718 Boxster have recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Porsche 718 Boxster. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.