Porsche Boxster
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2007–2016). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Porsche Boxster? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ 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.
AI Interpretation
Medium ConfidenceAverageNHTSA complaint data for the 2007–2016 Porsche Boxster shows a moderate number of reports, with the power train being the most frequently cited component. Complaints are concentrated in the 2013 model year, which accounts for a notable share of total reports. Crash-related complaints are minimal, suggesting that safety-related incidents are rare in the dataset.
- Power train complaints are the most common, with 10 reports.
- The 2013 model year has the highest number of complaints (10).
- Engine and suspension are the next most reported components, with 5 and 4 complaints respectively.
- There are 8 recalls associated with this vehicle range.
- Power train issues appear to be a recurring theme, with 10 complaints.
- Engine-related complaints total 5, indicating potential concerns.
- Suspension complaints (4) may warrant attention.
The 2013 model year has 10 complaints, the highest of any year, with power train being the most cited component. This suggests that 2013 models may have a higher likelihood of power train-related issues.
The 2016 model year has zero complaints, and 2008 and 2012 each have only 1 complaint, suggesting these years may have fewer reported issues. However, low complaint counts do not guarantee reliability.
- Inspect the power train, including transmission and drivetrain, for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the specific vehicle.
- Request service records to check for prior repairs related to power train, engine, or suspension.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on reported components.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
8 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.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2007–2016. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 26 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
26 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.
The contact owns a 2015 Porsche Boxster. The contact stated that the vehicle rental app TURO informed him that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V679000 (Power Train). The dealer was then notified about the recall and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
STRONG VIBRATION AND NOISE IN FRONT END STEERING, SUSPENSION AND WHEELS AT HIGHER STEERING ANGLES AND SLOW SPEED MOTION. THIS OCCURS IN DRIVEWAYS, PARKING LOTS AND SHARP TURNS ONTO CITY STREETS AND HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY PRESENT SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, AND REPORTED IT TO THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP IN JUNE, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 PORSCHE BOXSTER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THERE WAS A VIOLENT VIBRATION AND NOISE NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PORSCHE JACKSONVILLE (904-725-9155, LOCATED AT 10100 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS EXPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ECHOED THE DEALER'S STATEMENT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,200. *BF*JB
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR 8-LANE HIGHWAY. I SHIFTED UNEVENTFULLY THROUGH THE GEARS, UNTIL I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM 5TH TO 6TH. AT THIS POINT, I DISCOVERED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER OFFERED NO RESISTANCE AND HAD NO EFFECT: THE SHIFT LINKAGE HAD FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR WAS IN 5TH AND I COULD NO LONGER CHANGE THE GEAR. BECAUSE I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND KNEW THE AREA, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO AN EXIT THAT OFFERED SAFE PARKING, AND CALL FOR A TOW. A BIT OF WEB RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THIS IS A MODEL DEFECT THAT HAS ALREADY AFFECTED MANY. THE BOXSTER AND CAYMAN (987) HAVE A CABLE LINKAGE, AND I SUSPECT THAT THE CABLE (PART # 98742404211) IS UNDERDESIGNED AND PRONE TO SNAP (E.G., HTTP://WWW.PLANET-9.COM/987-CAYMAN-BOXSTER-PROBLEMS-COMPLAINTS/75482-BROKEN-SHIFTER-CABLE.HTML, HTTP://GOTACLASSACTION.COM/PORSCHE-INVESTIGATED-OVER-FAULTY-SHIFTER-CABLE-IN-911-AND-CAYMAN-VEHICLES). I AM CONCERNED THAT A FAILURE OF THE SHIFT CABLE AT THE WRONG TIME, OR TO THE WRONG DRIVER, COULD HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. THE CABLE CAN FAIL WHEN SHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR, EVEN REVERSE. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, A DRIVER COULD INITIATE A THREE-POINT TURN, AND END UP WITH HIS VEHICLE IN THE ROADWAY, PERPENDICULAR TO TRAFFIC, UNABLE TO PROCEED. ALSO, AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WHO HAD TO COPE WITH THE SAME SITUATION I DID (STUCK IN A HIGH GEAR, MOVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) MIGHT BE UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND BRING HIS VEHICLE SAFELY TO A STOP. THESE ARE JUST TWO SCENARIOS; THERE ARE MANY OTHERS. NOTE THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFETIME (I AM THE FIRST OWNER). IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP LESS THAN 5 MONTHS AGO TO COMPLETE ITS 4-YEAR MAINTENANCE. IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 2,500 MILES SINCE IT WAS LAST INSPECTED. IN OTHER WORDS, IT APPEARS THIS FAILURE CAN STRIKE AT ANY TIME, EVEN ON A WELL-MAINTAINED, LOW-MILEAGE CAR. *TR
STARTING FROM A STOP LIGHT, I ENGAGED THE CLUTCH ON MY NEW 2010 PORSCHE CARRERA S. UPON REACHING APPROPRIATE SPEED, I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AS I APPLIED ACCELERATION, BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. I THEN NOTICED THE CLUTCH PEDAL DID NOT RETURN TO ITS FULLY DISENGAGED POSITION, RATHER IT STAYED HALF DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTED IN OVERREVING, LOSS OF SPEED IN TRAFFIC, AND BURNING AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. *TR
CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THE SHIFTER SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY LOOSE, LEAVING THE CAR STUCK IN 1ST GEAR. AFTER SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS, THE ROOT CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A SNAPPED SHIFT CABLE BETWEEN THE SHIFTER "STICK" AND THE TRANSMISSION. FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITHIN THE PORSCHE COMMUNITY, CAUSED BY A BAD ENGINEERING DESIGN WHERE THE SHIFT CABLE IS MADE TO TAKE A SHARP BEND IN IT'S PATH TO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE SHIFT CABLE METAL TO FATIGUE THROUGH THE BEND AND EVENTUALLY SHEAR/SNAP WITHOUT WARNING. SIMPLY GOOGLE "PORSCHE SHIFT CABLE BREAK" FOR EXAMPLE TO FIND THE MANY MANY FOLKS SUFFERING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS AT AN IN-OPPORTUNE TIME LIKE ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC! I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED IN AN AREA WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. IMAGINE IF I WAS CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED AND THEN DOWNSHIFTING FOR SAY AN EXIT, SUDDENLY FINDING THE SHIFTER GO COMPLETELY LOOSE, CAUSING ME TO BE STUCK IN SAY 6TH GEAR. THE INITIAL SHOCK AND NOT HAVING TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO GET REAR ENDED AT SPEED. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL PORSCHE DEALER TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS OR NOTICES WERE OUT FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY CONFIRMED NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY PORSCHE. ATTACHED ARE PICTURES OF THE TWO CABLES REMOVED FROM MY CAR. ONE IS STILL IN TACT WHILE THE OTHER BROKEN ONE CLEARLY SHOWS THE BROKEN/SHEARED OFF CABLE END THAT ATTACHES TO THE TRANSMISSION.
MY 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE HAS AN "AUTO STOP" FEATURE THAT KILLS THE ENGINE WHENEVER THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE, THE CAR ENGINE RESTARTS. THE STOP-START DELAY IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY A CAR THAT WAS BEHIND ME BECAUSE THE DRIVER WAS ANXIOUS TO "MOVE" AND MY CAYENNE'S ENGINE HAD TO RESTART BEFORE IT WOULD MOVE FROM THE STOP LIGHT. THIS SPECIAL FEATURE CAN BE TURNED OFF, BUT YOU MUST TURN IT OFF EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. OTHERWISE, THE AUTO STOP FEATURE WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE. I CONSIDER THE AUTO STOP FEATURE TO BE PROBLEMATIC. *TR
2014 Porsche Boxster- Consumer haves concerns about the hydro-mounting, which is causing a PADM fault. Consumer paid for the repair & it occurred again. The first occurred after 35000 miles and again after 42000 miles. Consumer has read that others have had the same problem. Consumer thinks its a design problem & thinks it will happen again. Consumer ask should they have it fixed again?
The door panels are warping and detaching from the door. I'm sure the airbags should be affected as well. I have contacted Porche America but no one calls except customer service who keeps no records of previous calls.
There is an open recall on my Porsche boxster, the Porsche recall number for this is AMC0. The recall involves reprogramming the car to reduce emissions in sport+ mode. My car has an aftermarket tune on the ECU, and the porsche dealership has told me that the recall is not possible due to this modification. If I want to get the recall done, they want me to pay to replace the ECU/DME. I also consented to and was charged for labor hours for the dealership to research any way to not replace the ecu and do this recall, but they found no method to do so. Are they legally allowed to refuse a recall due to modifications to the car? Should the cost to replace the ECU be covered under the recall? I can't seem to find any information about this online, so thanks for any information regarding this
2013 PORSCHE BOXTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-679. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, BUT THE DEALER DENIED HAVING THE PARTS.
2013 PORSCHE BOXTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH CONTROL ARM MOUNTS ON REAR SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 21V-679. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE.
2013 PORSCHE BOXSTER. CAR ROLLS WHEN STOPPED WITH TRANSMISSION IN 'PARK.' SIMILAR TO RECALLS OF PORSCHE CAYENNES AND PANAMERAS. MAY BE SIMILAR TO THE TRANSMISSION CONNECTION BUSHING PROBLEM THAT CAME LOOSE IN OTHER MODELS.
HORN STICKS LOUD AND REMAINS ON FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE. SUSPECT BRACKET HOLDING AIRBAG NEEDS NEW ISOLATION "O" RINGS WHICH, OVER TIME, ALLOW HORN TO TOUCH BRACKET COMPLETING HORN RELAY CIRCUIT. COULD CAUSE OTHER CARS TO SWERVE INTO TRAFFIC. SPECIFICALLY, I WAS STOPPED FOR A 4 WAY STOP SIGN, ANOTHER CAR APPROACHED AT SUCH A SPEED THAT I SAW SHE WAS GOING TO STOP AND SHE DIDN'T. I WATCHED HER BLOW BY AND GOT BEHIND HER AND BLEW THE HORN BUT THE HORN STAYED ON. THE LADY STOPPED AND I TOLD HER (SHE WAS A REALTOR GOING TO A SHOWING) SHE MISSED THE STOP. AS I WENT ON MY WAY THE HORN QUIT. TOTAL TIME 30-45 SECONDS. CONTACTING DEALER FOR REPAIR ESTIMATE.
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.
IT LOST POWER BRAKES DURING MY DRIVING AT 45 MILES/HOUR. THE VEHICLE COULDN'T STOP MORE THAN 200 YARD BEFORE A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I ALMOST HIT INTO TRAFFIC WHICH RUNS AT 55 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR DROVE ABOUT 25000 MILES WHEN POWER BRAKES FAILED. PORSCHE SAID VEHICLE'S VACUUM PUMP BROKEN. THEY FIXED. I ASKED THEM WHAT IS LIFE FOR A VACUUM PUMP, THEY REJECTED TO ANSWER. I ASKED THEM WHY THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED, THEY SAID IT WAS SCRAPPED, THEY DON'T KNOW. I ASKED THEM HOW THEY ARE SURE THE NEW ONE WOULD BE GOOD. THEY TOLD ME THAT IS WHY THEY PROVIDED 4 YEARS WARRANTY/50000 MILES WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM IT IS SAFETY PARTS, IF THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG, I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. IT IS HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE WHEN POWER BRAKE LOST, THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL, COULDN'T STOP. I AM LUCKY I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE BECAUSE NO ONE IN FRONT OF AND LUCKILY AGAIN THE CAR STOPPED ABOUT 20 YARDS BEFORE TRAFFIC LANE ON ROUTE 55 IN IL.
MY DASHBOARD READS FAULT OF THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND A YELLOW ENGINE APPEARS I CALLED PORSCHE OF RAMSEY NJ AS I HAVE NOT HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR THREE MONTHS YET AND WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THEY HAD BUCKWILD TOWING TOW MY VEHICLE TO THEIR LOCATION I AM EXTREMELY UPSET AND WANT RESTITUTION FROM THIS COMPANY I DON'T HAVE THE MILEAGE BUT I THINK ITS 5373 THE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME I TRIED TO START IT AND THIS IS WHAT APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD. *TR
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. *TR
ON THE 2013 BOXSTER THE TAILPIPE CAN BURN YOUR LEG IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFULLY WHEN YOU GO TO OPEN THE REAR TRUNK. IT MY VIEW THAT THE TAILPIPE EXTEND TO LONG FROM THE BUMPER OF THE CAR AND THEREFORE, WHEN SOMEONE GOES TO OPEN THE TRUNK YOUR LEG WILL TOUCH THE TAILPIPE. MY WIFE WAS BURN ON HER LEG FROM THE TAILPIPE. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO NORTH AMERICA PORSCHE. I GOT THE FEELING FROM THE SENIOR REP THAT IT HAPPEN AND SO WHAT. I SOMEONE CAN TAKE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
KNOWN PROBLEM WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL PIN /SPINDLE WEARS IN THE PIVOT BUSH MECHANISM. THIS INTERFERES WITH PEDAL MOVEMENT AND CAN STICK CAUSING BRAKES TO STICK ON. THIS CAN CAUSE DASH WARNINGS BUT IF NOT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLES BRAKES TO OVERHEAT WITHOUT DRIVERS KNOWLEDGE. THE UPGRADED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM PORSCHE AS THE OLD VERSION SPINDLE AND BUSHES ARE FLAWED. I HAVE REPLACED THE PARTS,P99142328400 BEARING PIN / SPINDLE AND BUSHES P7PP721113A. THEY ARE SMALL IN COST BUT COULD PREVENT SERIOUS FAILURE OR INJURY / DEATH.. I LIVE IN UK AND BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO YOU
Showing 20 of 26 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Porsche Boxster
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
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 Boxster has 26 complaints on record across 10 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 Boxster has 8 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 Boxster's 26 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 AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Average) 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. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with 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 Boxster vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Porsche 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 Boxster has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.