2001 Porsche Boxster: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling; the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2023
“Was driving on the florida turnpike in the miami area, under rush hour traffic, doing about 75-80 mph when the front left tire blew up from the side wall. Almost lost control of the car. The tire has a 4" opening on the sidewall close to the wheel. Called hankook, they sent me to a local distributor who said he couldn't do anything about it. Tires were about 2 years old with plenty of thread left. Last hankook tires for me, family and close friends. I am replacing all the tires on this car. Tire is a hankook ventus v12 evo. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2014
“Air bag light is always on yet it is not defective. Many other people have this same porsche issue. They want 500 to fix it. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Motor failed while trying to start it. All valves bent. Replaced at my expense. I bought the car new and it was serviced as per factory recommendations.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2010
“Rear main seal oil leak prone to the porsche boxster. Unit was fixed 18 months ago under normal factory warranty and failed again. The cost of the fix was over $1,900.00. Shouldn't a fix done by the dealer last longer then 18 months and 5,500 miles? Porsche told me to "do what I need to do" to recover front he loss. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2008
“I was recently told by a porsche dealer that the rear engines seals need to be replaced for $2400. After researching this extensively over the internet, most if not all porsche boxsters need this replaced before 60,000 miles. And this is due to inappropriate seals being used up to at least 2004. Porsche even during the late 1990's, replaced engines under warranty because of this problem. It is very evident that the issues with the rear main seals are an epidemic and should have been recalled for all vehicles affected. I called porsche hq and they declined to do anything under good will. It is just not right when so many other people are affected. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2007
“Porsche boxsters from 1999-2004 have a defective rear engine seal which fails in all vehicles. This should be a recall because even the dealer says it is common. This is a very costly fix and should have been dealt with years ago. The NHTSA even has technical bulletins issued on this. This is far too common of a defective part which needs to be recalled and fixed by porsche. They have since then replaced the rear seals with a different type used on cayennes. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2007
“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”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2003
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2001
“2001 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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 1901
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
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.
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."
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.
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 2001 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 2001 Porsche Boxster reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Porsche Boxster. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2001 Porsche Boxster have open recalls?
4 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.