1997 Porsche Boxster: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. While attempting to engage in park gear, the shifter became very difficult to move out of the drive position. The vehicle was towed to an unknown independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission selector seized and the selector leveler had to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer; however, porsche of westwood in westwood, massachusetts was contacted by phone. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 98v112000 (power train) several years ago. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated that the gear shift failed to shift into the park position. As a result, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear into neutral in order to start the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the gear indicator displayed that the vehicle was in reverse while it was in parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 98v112000 (power train). The failure mileage was 57,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated that the air bag light sporadically illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the seat belt buckles, harness and control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000. Updated 5/13/14*cn *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated the ignition switch was cracked and causing electrical failures to the air conditioner, wipers and head lights. The contact notices a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 98v113000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) but was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer should extend the recall since the failure was a known safety defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2010
“Dt: the contact's daughter was driving the vehicle and when she arrived home she alerted the contact that there was a milky substance in the oil. The vehicle was not driven again. It was then towed to the dealership. They wanted $14,000 to fix it, but did not tell her what was wrong with the vehicle. She then took it to another mechanic, for a second opinion. The mechanic, determined there was a casting flaw which caused the radiator fluid to leak into the engine . The vehicle has not yet been repaired. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2005
“Electrical system: ignition switch failure. The same failure as recall #w03 in 1998. Dealer replaced switch in 1999, ignition switch cracked and failed again 2005. I am told by porsche my vehicel is not covered under the recall.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2005
“Srs (airbag light) on due to faulty grounding in seatbelt switch. Porsche boxsters have an issue with it's airbag lights on due to a design flaw with the way porsche has grounded the switch on the seat belt harness. Porsche has subsequently released a technical service bulletin and parts update to address the issue, but fixes are done at owners expense. I believe that a recall should be in order to address this issue.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2005
“1997 porsche boxter tiptronic transmission shifter selector increasingly became difficult to move and eventually unable to put in park and or drive. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2004
“Upon exiting the vehicle consumer noticed flames coming from the intake manifold. This occurred after the consumer installed a new battery, and drove for approximately 2 miles. Then consumer turned the vehicle off. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2004
“When pressing on the accelerator pedal vehicle would not accelerate, causing the driver to shut off the engine, then restart the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2003
Recalls - 6 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE BEARING SLEEVES CAN SEIZE IN THE INTERMEDIATE SELECTOR LEVERS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED BEARING SLEEVES OF THE LEVER WITH BEARING SLEEVES OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN CRACK AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAILURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TYPE IGNITION SWITCH.
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.
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.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: CHILD SEATING SYSTEM AIR BAG DEACTIVATION KIT FOR USE ON 1997-1998 911 CARRERA S, CARRERA 4, CARRERA 4S, AND TURBO (1997 MODEL ONLY), PART NO. 993 803 283 00, AND 1997-1998 BOXSTER MODEL VEHICLES, PART NOS. 996 803 283 00 AND 996 803 083 00. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE CONTACT BUCKLE (WHICH IS PART OF THE KIT) DOES NOT DEACTIVATE THE AIR BAG(S).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED AIR BAG DEACTIVATION KIT.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Boxster by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Porsche Boxster reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Porsche Boxster. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 1997 Porsche Boxster have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.