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1998 Porsche BoxsterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 32 owner complaints about the 1998 Porsche Boxster, most often about the structure. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints320 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage50kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 25, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Porsche Boxster has problems

32 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure110
Air bags80
Engine and engine cooling70
Electrical system60
Seat belts20
Latches/locks/linkages10
Suspension10
Visibility10
Engine10
3 other systems30

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1998 Porsche Boxster recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 03V-004 · Jan 23, 2003 · 12,234 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Porsche.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Boxster year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Boxster median. How we score

'89'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'12'13'14'15
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Porsche Boxster, and the recalls they led to.

  1. DOOR CABLE FAILUREPE98039 · closed Nov 24, 1998
    No recall
In owners' words

What Boxster owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I HAD JUST RETURNED TO MY CAR AT A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER, THE SKY HAD BEGUN TO LOOK AS IF A STORM WAS APPROACHING AND I DECIDED TO PUT UP MY CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE TOP WOULD NOT GO UP, SO I PROCEEDED HOME IN HOPES THAT I WOULD BEAT THE IMPENDING BAD WEATHER HOME. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT BEGAN TO STORM AND…
Complaint 10133799 · Aug 22, 2005 · 49,697 miles
COOLANT LIQUID STARTED TO POUR OUT OF VEHICLE,VEHICLE WAS IN SERVICE THREE TIMES.CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT. *AKTAILPIPE COVER CAME OFF, CONVERTABLE TOP MOTORS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE,ECU HAD TO BE RECODED TO ACCEPT KEY HEAD, LEFT HEADLIGHT LENSE REFLECTOR REPLACED, THE AIR…
Complaint 831849 · Dec 7, 1998

Own a 1998 Boxster?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.