Illustration2001 PORSCHE BOXSTER AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED. REPAIR TO THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE THAT IS LINKED TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NOT PERFORMED AND THE AIRBAG LED WAS AGGRESSIVELY RIPPED OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. *TS *JB
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
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
What owners actually said
13 reportsTHE 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
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
Official recalls
222V656000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.