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2003 Porsche BoxsterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 2003 Porsche Boxster, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-656 the manufacturer reports only 30% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 30%Owner complaints122 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage12kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 13, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Porsche Boxster has problems

12 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
Power train30
Engine10
Engine and engine cooling10
Fuel/propulsion system10
Seats10
Service brakes10
Steering11
Tires10
Vehicle speed control11
2 other systems21

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

2 recalls

2003 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.

30%repaired · 2024 Q3

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 22V-656 · Aug 30, 2022 · 222,858 vehicles · 67,551 repaired

Risk. Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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

2003 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
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Porsche Boxster safety ratings

2003 Porsche Boxster 2-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Boxster owners report

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

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…
Complaint 11530804 · Jul 7, 2023 · 12,669 miles
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…
Complaint 10552976 · Nov 19, 2013 · 11,000 miles

Own a 2003 Boxster?

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