← New search

2001 Porsche Boxster

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Boxster years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 7 of 13 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 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2023
Electrical SystemService Brakes

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) failure due to premature degradation of plastic wiring harness connectors for ABS wheel speed sensors located in each wheel well. ABS warning light illuminated alerting to the disabling of the system. Issue confirmed by independent repair facility. Dealer was engaged, but denied coverage due to veh…

Read full complaint

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) failure due to premature degradation of plastic wiring harness connectors for ABS wheel speed sensors located in each wheel well. ABS warning light illuminated alerting to the disabling of the system. Issue confirmed by independent repair facility. Dealer was engaged, but denied coverage due to vehicle being out of warranty and no recalls initiated.

NHTSA ODI #11539625

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2021
Electrical SystemStructure

There are thousands of complaints/postings appearing on the Internet, including fixes, (many of which may be equally dangerous) whereby the vehicle's central locking mechanism fails, making it impossible for passengers to egress through either door or window. The locking mechanism on the driver's side door has a cheap part that…

Read full complaint

There are thousands of complaints/postings appearing on the Internet, including fixes, (many of which may be equally dangerous) whereby the vehicle's central locking mechanism fails, making it impossible for passengers to egress through either door or window. The locking mechanism on the driver's side door has a cheap part that is known to commonly fail. When it does, neither the driver nor passenger door may be opened from either inside or outside of the vehicle. The central locking system is tied in with the door lock, and the windows may sometimes also fail when the lock mechanism fails. We had to remove a fuse from her car to reset the windows so we could extricate her. The Internet is replete with unofficial fixes for this problem, frequently using home-made parts, and Porsche representatives commonly acknowledge the issue and charge a great deal to repair using the same flawed parts. In the event of a crash, both driver & passenger may be trapped with no possible means of egress, without disassembling the driver's side door, which would be impossible in an emergency. I am shocked and outraged that this condition has been allowed to go unaddressed for years, despite being so commonly known that there are literally hundreds of Internet posts and videos telling owners how to temporarily fix their cars using either Porsche parts, or in many cases, home-made parts which would also be seriously dangerous. It is unbelievable that NHTSA has never acted on this issue to compel Porsche to make so many thousands of vehicles safe. Merely googling "Porsche Boxster Lock Problem" will produce literally hundreds of videos demonstrating the problem and several home-made fixes. The American driving public deserves better than this from NHTSA and Porsche. Please do something about this while I look for a replacement car for my 16 year old daughter, whom I pray will not ever be in an accident in this car and become trapped, causing her death!!!

NHTSA ODI #11445767

81,195 miles · Nov 21, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

1.EARLIER DATE FIXED WIREHARNESS/DRAINED PARTS AT LOCAL BMW REPAIRMAN GARAGE RESOLVED 2. LATER IN CITY,TURNING IN MOTION CAR SUDDENLY STALL/POWERLOSS OF BRAKES,CLUTCHSTICKY,HEAR TIMING ODD,STEERING DIFFICULT HAD TOWED TO PORSCHE DEALER . GARAGE).PORSCHE DIAGNOSED W MULTIPOINT INSPECTION ,PORSCHE ONLY DID WORK COVERED BY 3RD PAR…

Read full complaint

1.EARLIER DATE FIXED WIREHARNESS/DRAINED PARTS AT LOCAL BMW REPAIRMAN GARAGE RESOLVED 2. LATER IN CITY,TURNING IN MOTION CAR SUDDENLY STALL/POWERLOSS OF BRAKES,CLUTCHSTICKY,HEAR TIMING ODD,STEERING DIFFICULT HAD TOWED TO PORSCHE DEALER . GARAGE).PORSCHE DIAGNOSED W MULTIPOINT INSPECTION ,PORSCHE ONLY DID WORK COVERED BY 3RD PARTY EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR A OIL WATER SEPARATOR AND WATER RADIATOR REPLACED AND TOLD ME ENGINE HAS ISSUES,5 MOS LATER STILL AT PORSCHE,CAUTION TO DRIVE,TOWED OUT, PORSCHEMANUF /CR/SC CODES TO REPAIR UNTIL THEN RELEASED CAR W OPERATIVE/SAFETY ISSUES DEALING WITH AIRWATER BLOW OUT ON ENGINE SEALS, AND LOSS OF POWER FOR SAFE DRIVING AND STOPPING AND PARKING.PORSCHE MUST PAY FOR THESE ISSUES REPORTED FOR RECALL REQUIRED MORE THAN JUST WARN ME.HAND BRAKE SUDDEN NONHOLDING SO DRIFT POSSIBLE IN PARKING,BRAKES/CLUTCH UNSAFE PER TOW TRUCKER , ELECTRICAL /TRUCKSWITCH/ROOF /DOOR SWITCH UNABLE TO EXIT /ENTER VEHICLE SAFELY.EACH TIME PORSCHE INSPECTS AND I REPEAT THERE IS FORGET/HEARING ISSUES NOTED, AND DIDNT DO THE MANUFACTURER CODED SAFETY MEASURES AND SAYS DIDNT INCLUDE THE DRIVER WARNINGS /CONCERNS OF SAFETY TO CHECK ON PAPERWORK TO TRACK CONVERSATIONS JUST WHAT MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS DESPITE SAFETY CODES. ATTACH BRAKES CODE/ELECTRICAL CODE/POWERTRAIN CODE/ENGINE RECALLCODE (SAFERCAR.GOV) TRAPPING DRIVER/PASSENGER FOR CRASH & INJURIES AFTER INSPECTIONS/VERBAL CONCERNS UNRESOLVED AND RISK OF SAFETY.NEW BATTERY PLACED IN MONTHS PRIOR.HOUSING AND LUBRICATION SYSTEMS AT JOINTS CONCERN AT SEALS FROM BLOW OUT OF AIRWATER SEPARATOR CREATING AN EMERGENCY ON VEHICLE,IS PORSCHE WAITING TILL A NEW ENGINE WHILE CODESAFETY ISSUES.PORSCHE NOTED FAN BELT,POWER TRAIN CODE ISSUES,REQUIRED FOR SAFETY. APPARENTLY THE WATER RADIATOR/WATER PUMP BLEW HOT STEAM THRU ENTIRE ENGINE PARTS LOOSENING THEIR EFFECTIVENESS TO BE SAFE DRIVING WITHOUT CONCERN OF ACCIDENT /DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #11281649

200 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Electrical SystemStructureSuspension

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP UNLATCHED BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE WINDOW AT NIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN THROUGH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOW DUE TO CRACKS AND NEEDS CONSTANT REPAIRS. THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAR HAS A CRACKING SOUND WHICH THE DEALERSHIP HEARS BUT IGNORES, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS ALL OF THE TIME IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO S…

Read full complaint

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP UNLATCHED BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE WINDOW AT NIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN THROUGH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WINDOW DUE TO CRACKS AND NEEDS CONSTANT REPAIRS. THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAR HAS A CRACKING SOUND WHICH THE DEALERSHIP HEARS BUT IGNORES, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS ALL OF THE TIME IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO SPLIT IN HALF, THE SUSPENSION MAKES A VERY LOUD METAL CRACKING NOISES AS IF IT IS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041488

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Electrical SystemFire

THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF ELECTRICAL FAULTING WITHIN THE DASHBOARD AND THE FIRE ORIGINATED WITHIN THE VEHICLE WHERE THERE IS EVIDENCE OF ELECTRICAL FAULTING WITHIN THE DASHBOARD SUFFICIENT TO IGNITE THE WIRING INSULATION AND IMMEDIATE COMBUSTIBLES INTO OPEN FLAME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763676

Official recalls

2

22V656000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Aug 30, 2022

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.

03V004000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jan 23, 2003

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.