RoadVitals

1999 Porsche Boxster

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Jan 10, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Porsche Boxster, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 153 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1645.7%
  • Airbags720.0%
  • Electrical38.6%
  • Seat belts38.6%
  • Body & structure12.9%
  • Other / unspecified12.9%
  • Tires & wheels12.9%
  • Brakes12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
03V004000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Jan 23, 2003
12,234 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.Manufacturer number A305View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 28
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 10, 2012

MISFIRES DURING WARM UP, AFTER WARM UP THE ENGINE RUNS SMOOTH WITH HIGH RPM OF 1200 TO 1300. I HAVE TO TAP THE ACCELERATOR PAD TO LOWER THE RPM,AFTER COUPLE OF SECONDS THE RPM GOES BACK UP. WHEN IT REACHES 190 DEGREES RPM GOES HIGHER TO ALMOST 1500, TEMPERATURE GOES TO 210 DEGREES FAN TURNS ON FROM THE RADIATOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, FAN ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SOMETIMES TURNS ON AND SOMETIMES NOT . THEN THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING AT 210 DEGREES, START UP BUT WON'T RUN. YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE TEMPERATURE TO DROP DOWN TO 160 DEGREES, SOMETIMES ALL THE WAY DOWN. START IT UP THEN THE ENGINE RUNS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443249
Incident
Dec 12, 2011
Mileage
127,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 29, 2011

THIS LOW-MILEAGE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT FREEWAY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS CRUISING ON LEVEL FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WHITE SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE FACILITY. AFTER COMPLETE DISASSEMBLY IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT REBUILD-ABLE DUE TO A SLIPPED CYLINDER SLEEVE WHICH RESULTED IN PISTON, CYLINDER HEAD AND BLOCK DAMAGE. DETAILED PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10423403
Incident
May 18, 2009
Mileage
14,011 mi
AirbagsOther / unspecified
Filed Feb 7, 2011

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE PROBLEM IS IN A SENSOR IN THE SEATBELT. EACH TIME IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND PORSCHE WANTS ME TO SPEND $550 TO REPLACE THE UNIT WITH THE FOURTH SENSOR. I HAVE DECLINED TO DO THIS AS THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY THE NEW UNIT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS CAR ACCORDING TO SERVICEMEN AND THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN TO PORSCHE WITHOUT RESPONSE. *LN

NHTSA ID
10381055
Incident
Jan 27, 2011
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 12, 2010

PORSCHE BOXTER AIRBAG ( SRS) MALFUNCTION. SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT. MONDAY, OCT.11 2010 APPROX. 2:00. VEHICLE HAD BEEN UNUSED FOR 4 WEEKS. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEH. BATTERY WAS ALMOST DEAD. NO ACTION FROM STARTER. VEH ALARM SOUNDED. ALARM REMAINED BLARING UNLESS KEY WAS IN #1 POSITION. I WENT INTO MY HOUSE ( TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. ) I HEARD A LOUD " BANG " . UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR I SAW THAT THE LEFT (DRIVERS) AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED. I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR FROM THE AIRBAG WAS NOT PLEASANT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10360051
Incident
Oct 11, 2010
Mileage
76,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 12, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PORSCHE BOXSTER. THE CONTACT HAD MASSIVE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND THE CRANK SHAFT BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ID
10308956
Incident
Jan 12, 2010
Mileage
42,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 24, 2008

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON IN 1999 PORSCHE BOXSTER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND RECURRING PROBLEM WITH PORSCHE BOXSTERS. IT WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A SEAT BUCKLE PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE ISSUE IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COME ON. PORSCHE SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM IN ORDER CLEAR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10239526
Incident
Jul 15, 2008
Mileage
26,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2008

IT'S WELL DOCUMENTED THAT EARLY PRODUCTION PORSCHE BOXSTERS HAD A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ENGINE FAILURES DUE TO CRACKED OR SLIPPED CYLINDER LINERS. THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL BUT PORSCHE DID REPLACE FAILED ENGINES UNDER WARRANTY. PORSCHE HAS NOT DIVULGED EXACTLY HOW MANY ENGINES THIS ACTUALLY OCCURRED IN OTHER THAN A BROAD RANGE OF 2.5 ENGINES IN LATE 1998-EARLY 1999. NOR HAVE THEY RELEASED ANY ENGINE NUMBERS THAT HAVE HAD SLEEVES INSTALLED. I PURCHASED MY CAR 2 WEEKS AGO FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 69K MILES AND FULL MAIN DEALER SERVICE HISTORY. THE ENGINE HAS NOW FAILED DUE TO A SLIPPED CYLINDER LINER. THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN RACED OR OVER-REVVED. I'M LOOKING AT A POSSIBLE $8 - $13K REPAIR BILL FOR A REPLACEMENT/REBUILT ENGINE. FORTUNATELY THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILST IN A CAR PARK. HAD IT DONE SO WHILST DRIVING ON THE BUSY INTERSTATE, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BOXSTER, PORSCHE TEAMED UP WITH KOLBENSCHMIDT TO MANUFACTURE THEIR NEW WATER-COOLED ENGINE. THE CASES EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES STARTING WITH THEIR POROSITY. IN 1998 KOLBENSCHMIDT'S CASTING MACHINE WAS DAMAGED. THIS LEAD TO LINER FAILURES IN LATE 1998 TO EARLY 1999. THIS WOULD TRANSLATE INTO ONLY THE 1999 MODEL YEAR DUE TO PRODUCTION DATES. THE TIME REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE MACHINE COULD HAVE SLOWED BOXSTER PRODUCTION DOWN SEVERELY UNLESS A FIX WAS FOUND. THE SOLUTION WAS TO RELINE SOME NOT-QUITE-PERFECT BLOCKS THAT WERE ON HAND. MOST OF THESE BLOCKS HAD A CASTING DEFECT OR A POROSITY PROBLEM IN AT LEAST ONE CYLINDER. KOLBENSCHMIDT BEGAN THE PROCESS OF THE REPAIRS UNTIL THE CASTING MACHINE WAS FIXED. THIS PROCESS STARTED BY BORING OUT THE FAILED CYLINDER TO ALLOW FOR THE INSERTION OF THE LINER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230492
Incident
May 30, 2008
Mileage
69,353 mi
AirbagsElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jan 11, 2007

AIRBAG WARNING LAMP STAYING ON DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED SENSOR SYSTEM THAT RELIES ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND GROUNDING SYSTEM ELECTRICAL RESISTANCES BEING INCREDIBLY STABLE OVER TIME. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY REDESIGNED SEAT BELT RECEPTACLES AND REPLACING WIRES. IF YOU DON'T FIX THIS PROBLEM, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW IF YOU HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU WANT TO CLEAR THIS LAMP INDICATION, YOU MUST SHELL OUT $500 TO $1500 TO DO SO. HOW DOES PORSCHE HAVE THE NERVE TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THEIR PART WHICH LEADS TO AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF NOT CORRECTED. MY INCIDENT IS FAR FROM AN ISOLATED ONE. I'VE CHECKED OUT OTHER COMPLAINTS VIA THE INTERNET. *JB

NHTSA ID
10178448
Incident
Jun 2, 2005
Mileage
20,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

No. 2404

EQUIPMENT; POWER TRAIN

Special tools and equipment information for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, and Panamera

No. 2403

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Special tools and equipment information for brake caliper pins for the 911, Boxster, and Cayman

PIWIS2401j

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.020

PIWIS2302s

EQUIPMENT

Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.050 & .052

No. 32-23

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Instructions on manufacturers certificate for approved C20 engine oils

No. 33-23

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche C30 engine oils

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Porsche Boxster by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015320—
2014230—
2013101038.3
2012110—
2006500—
2005160028.8
2004330—
2003124065.4
2002104055.7
2001134051.1
2000530—
1999Viewing283044.8
1998324146.8
1997226049.4
1996000—
1989100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.