Porsche Boxster S Problems by Year
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file for the Porsche Boxster S, across 10 model years (2000–2014). The 2003 model year has the most complaints (7). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Porsche Boxster S years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Boxster S model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2003 Boxster S: 7 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2000 Boxster S: 3 complaints, 1 recall
- 2001 Boxster S: 2 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2002 Boxster S: 1 complaint, 2 recalls
- 2005 Boxster S: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2011 Boxster S: 1 complaint, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Porsche Boxster S problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Porsche Boxster S model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Boxster S | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2013 Boxster S | 1 | 1 | — | Service Brakes | |
| 2012 Boxster S | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2011 Boxster S | 1 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2005 Boxster S | 1 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2004 Boxster S | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2003 Boxster S | 7 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2002 Boxster S | 1 | 2 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2001 Boxster S | 2 | 2 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2000 Boxster S | 3 | 1 | — | Electrical System |
More from Porsche: all Porsche models · Porsche VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Porsche Boxster S years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2003 (7), 2000 (3), 2001 (2). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Porsche Boxster S?
Electrical System, with 6 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Porsche Boxster S have?
5 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.