2003 Porsche Boxster Owner Complaints

Vehicle has an open safety recall involving a condition that may increase the risk of a crash. During a visit to an authorized dealership for information regarding the recall, dealership personnel advised against completing the recall procedure. I was informed that due to the age of the vehicle and components, performing the recall could potentially damage the headlight seals and that I could be financially responsible for repairs if damage occurred during the recall process. This raised concerns because the recall relates to a safety issue, yet I was discouraged from having the repair performed unless I accepted potential liability for damage resulting from the recall work itself. As a result, the safety recall remains unresolved. No warning lamps or messages were present prior to this interaction. The issue described here concerns the handling of the recall and the guidance provided by the dealership regarding completion of a safety recall repair.

NHTSA ID

11737614

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2003 Porsche Boxster equipped with Landgolden Tires, Tire Line: L27, Tire Size: 265/35/ZR18, DOT Number: (N/A). While performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear passenger’s side tire had experienced extensive tread separation. The online dealer from whom the tires were purchased from was contacted, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11720640

Incident

Feb 22, 2026

Mileage

20,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Porsche Boxster. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the indicator lights on the gear shifter for the park(P) and the four (4) position was flashing. In addition, while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift into fifth gear and the vehicle would enter LIMP Mode. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer on two separate occasions and was informed that the gear selector switch was sticky due to the vehicle not being driven. The vehicle was repaired after the failures; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 12,669.

NHTSA ID

11530804

Incident

Jul 7, 2017

Mileage

12,669 mi

THE IMS BEARINGS IN THE 2001-2005 PORSCHE BOXSTER WOULD JUST STOP THE ENGINE IF NOT REPLACED. HELLO, I BOUGHT MY 2003 POSCHE BOXSTER BRAND NEW FROM RECTOR PORSCHE/AUDI DEALERSHIP OF BURLINGAME BACK IN 2003. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT PORSCHE HAD A FAULTY PART IN THEIR ENGINE CALLED THE IMS BEARINGS. THE CARS THAT WERE INVOLVED ARE CARS FROM 2001-2005 PORSCHE BOXSTER. THERE WAS A LAWSUIT (EISEN VS. PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA) THAT TOOK PLACE AND SETTLED BEFORE GOING INTO TRIAL. PEOPLE THAT OWNED THE CARS WERE NOTIFIED TO GET THEIR IMS BEARINGS FIXED THROUGH PORSCHE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I REACHED OUT TO PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA AND ASKED ABOUT THE LAWSUIT. THE LAST DATE TO FILE TO GET YOUR CAR FIXED WAS OCTOBER 15, 2013. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WASN'T EVEN LISTED IN THEIR SYSTEM AS THE OWNER OF MY PORSCHE BOXSTER. SO I ASKED. HOW COULD HAVE I FILED A CLAIM IF I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT IT. PEOPLE'S CARS WOULD SEIZED FROM WORKING WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 32,480 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SUGGEST'S THAT I GET MY IMS BEARINGS REPLACED. BUT IT WOULD COST ME $3,500. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? THEY WON'T OWN UP TO THIS AND IT'S THEIR FAULT FOR NOT HAVING MY NAME LISTED IN THEIR SYSTEM. I SHOWED THEM MY BILL OF SALES FROM RECTOR AND EVEN SHOWED PROOF OF REGISTRATIONS DATING BACK FROM 2002 - TO PRESENT DAY.

NHTSA ID

11265610

Incident

Sep 20, 2019

TOOK MY PORSCHE BOXSTER TO THE LOCAL PORSCHE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID MY CAR HAD A GASOLINE FUEL LEAK AND NEEDED A REPLACEMENT FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IT WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL.. THE SERVICE ORDER AT PICKUP SAID MECHANIC NOTED FUEL DRIPPING FROM GAS TANK...NOTED LEAKING FROM CRACKS IN THE SENDING UNIT WHERE THE PRESSURIZED FUEL OUTLET IS, REPLACED SENDING UNIT AND SEAL, ALSO NOTED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR SEAL SWOLLEN FROM FUEL CONTAMINATION. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA AND HE SAID NO, WHY SHOULD THEY. I EXLPLAINED THIS WAS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVING A FUEL LEAK THAT COULD HAVE SERIOUS LIFE OR DEATH CONSEQUENCES. I HAVE THE REPLACED UNIT AND PICTURES AS I REQUESTED THIS UPON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE. I WAS CHARGED $628.58 FOR REPLACING FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR(SENDING UNIT). I HAVE A COPY OF THE BILL WITH MECHANIC'S COMMENTS. ALSO PICS OF THE FAULTY UNIT ON MY CELL PHONE.

NHTSA ID

10926541

Incident

Nov 15, 2016

Mileage

119,774 mi

REAR BRAKES (BOTH SIDES) BEGAN APPLYING THEMSELVES WITH NO DRIVER INPUT, LOCKING UP WITHIN ABOUT 5 SECONDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10625772

Incident

Aug 5, 2014

Mileage

95,166 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 PORSCHE BOXTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER PARKING, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE AND DIAGNOSED AS HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BEARING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10552976

Incident

Jun 17, 2006

Mileage

11,000 mi

A STRANGE THING HAPPENED AS MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT IN OUR '03 BOXSTER. THE SEATBACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MYSTERIOUSLY BEGAN ROTATING FORWARD, ALL EFFORTS TO STOP IT USING BODY FORCE FAILED. MY WIFE WAS CRUSHED INTO THE GLOVE BOX BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP. SHE COULD NOT REACH THE DOOR HANDLE AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO EXTRICATE HERSELF AFTER I OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE SEAT MOTOR HAD ROTATED THE SEATBACK FORWARD TO A POSITION OF APPROXIMATELY 45 PAST VERTICAL BY THE TIME IT STOPPED. WE LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE SHEEPSKIN SEAT COVER HAD SNAGGED THE PROTRUDING SWITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT AND HELD IT, CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO ROTATE. THE POINT I NEED TO MAKE IS THIS; WHAT IF THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE? THE DRIVER WOULD BE CRUSHED AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL AND UNABLE TO STOP. A CRASH WOULD BE INEVITABLE, AND THE DRIVER WOULD SUSTAIN SERIOUS INJURY SINCE THE SPACE BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND WHEEL IS SO SMALL. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED FOR THE SEAT MOTOR TO BE ABLE TO ROTATE THE SEATBACK FORWARD TO SUCH A HUGE ANGLE FROM VERTICAL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE MECHANICAL LEVER AT THE TOP OF THE SEAT MAY BE USED IF SEAT ROTATION IS REQUIRED. I STRONGLY URGE PORSCHE TO CONSIDER INSTALLING A LIMIT SWITCH ON THE SEAT MOTOR TO PREVENT EVEN THE REMOTEST POSSIBILITY OF THIS EVENT OCCURRING. THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEONE PLACING AN ITEM IN A POSITION TO SNAG THE PROTRUDING SWITCH AND ACTIVATE THE SEAT ROTATION IS TOO REAL TO IGNORE, AND RAISES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. NOTE THAT THE SHEEPSKIN SEAT COVERS I USE ARE CUSTOM MADE FOR THE BOXSTER SEAT AND HAVE CUTOUTS AROUND THE SEAT SWITCHES; EVEN SO THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10458148

Incident

Mar 1, 2012

Mileage

77,312 mi

1. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW. IT IS MY DAILY DRIVER. ONLY SERVICED MY PORSCHE MECHANICS. IT HAD 32,500 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. AFTER LEAVING A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT, I NOTICED AN UNUSUAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NOT VERY LOAD. I THOUGHT IT HAD CAUGHT A PIECE OF DEBRIS IN THE BELT SYSTEM. DROVE IT SLOWLY HOME, AND THE SOUND GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE CAR. I CALLED THE PORSCHE DEALER IN MOBILE, AL FOR A TOW TRUCK. 2. I WAS TOLD BY THE PORSCHE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE CAR HAD EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS INTERMEDIATE SHAFT (IMS) FAILURE, AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THERE IS LITTLE TO NO WARNING OF THIS FAILURE, AND THEY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS CATASTROPHIC. REQUIRING COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. 3. PORSCHE NORTH AMERICA WAS CONTACTED WITH ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION. THEY RESPONDED WITH AN OFFER TO COVER HALF THE COST OF A FACTORY REBUILT ENGINE. I WOULD PAY THE OTHER HALF, PLUS ALL LABOR AND TOWING COSTS. THIS REPLACEMENT WILL COST ME OVER $11,000.00 !!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10358136

Incident

Sep 7, 2010

Mileage

32,500 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL WHICH RESULTED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE FINALLY HIT A CURB CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED, BUT HASN'T GONE TO THE HOSPITAL. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE AIR BAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

10161053

Incident

Jun 27, 2006

Mileage

18,000 mi

SECOND GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10118005

Incident

Apr 13, 2005

Mileage

12,000 mi

POWER STEERING FAILURE, FLUID LEAK. *JB

NHTSA ID

10039287

Incident

Aug 16, 2003

Mileage

8,000 mi