Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
47,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PORSCHE BOXSTER S. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE IGNITION MODULE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PORSCHE BOXSTER S. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE IGNITION MODULE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000.
NHTSA ODI #10238710
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2003
Fuel System, OtherFire
WAS DRIVING A 2001 PORSCHE BOXSTER WHEN LOST COMPLETE POWER. CAR TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED THAT MY AIR INTAKE HAD BEEN SUCKING UP CIGARETTES AND CAUSING A SERIES OF SMALL FIRES IN MY CAR. AIR INTAKE HAS NO SCREEN TO PROTECT THINGS FROM GETTING IN -- JUST A PAPER AIR FILTER WHICH CAN BURN IF A CIGARETTE BECOMES STUCK…
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WAS DRIVING A 2001 PORSCHE BOXSTER WHEN LOST COMPLETE POWER. CAR TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED THAT MY AIR INTAKE HAD BEEN SUCKING UP CIGARETTES AND CAUSING A SERIES OF SMALL FIRES IN MY CAR. AIR INTAKE HAS NO SCREEN TO PROTECT THINGS FROM GETTING IN -- JUST A PAPER AIR FILTER WHICH CAN BURN IF A CIGARETTE BECOMES STUCK ON THE FILTER. WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BUT DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR HAS HEARD OF IT.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
CERTAIN 2-DOOR CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TIPTRONIC (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH AN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED KEY-LOCK-CABLE DOWN TO THE SHIFT SELECTOR. IF THE KEY-LOCK-CABLE IS NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITION KEY WILL SNAG UPON BEING REMOVED FRO THE IGNITION LOCK OR THE SLECTOR LEVER CAN BE SHIFTED FROM POSITION "P" WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED AND THE LOCKING BUTTON OPERATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SELECTOR LEVER IS THEN SHIFTED FROM POSITION "P" TO POSITION "R, N OR D" WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED, AND IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ON, THE VHEICLE WILL NOT BE SECURED FROM INADVERTENLY ROLLING AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE ADJUSTMENT AND, REGARDLESS OF THE RESULTS OF THIS INSPECTION, THE KEY-LOCK-CABLE MUST ALSO BE ADJUSTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Porsche Boxster S Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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