Model year record

2002 Porsche Boxster recalls & problems

The 2002 Porsche Boxster has 4 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (3 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints10filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingAug 30, 2022

Headlights

Recall 22V656000222,858 vehicles

Problem: 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."
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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Power trainJan 23, 2003

Automatic transmission

Recall 03V00400012,234 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Porsche Boxster 2-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Boxster

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Boxster

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine	3	1	—
Power trainClutch assembly	2	0	—
Electrical system	2	0	—
StructureBody	2	0	—
Tires	1	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	1	—
Seat belts	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train
2002 PORCHE BOXSTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO COMPLAINT CONCERNING VEHICLE PARTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CABLES FROM THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Nov 10, 2011 · 69,554 miles
Seat belts
THE SEAT BELT ON MY VEHICLE, WHEN BUCKLED, HAS A TENDENCY TO NOT LATCH COMPLETELY AND ALLOWS FOR THE RELEASE WITHOUT PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. ALSO WHEN IT IS LATCHED, THERE IS A TENDENCY FOR IT TO GET CAUGHT AND NOT RELEASE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT PULLING FORCE ON THE BUCKLE. *TR
Jul 1, 2010 · 80,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
IMS ENGINE FAILURE. KNOWN ISSUES WITH PORSCHE. PORSCHE BOXSTER 49,500 MILES. PLACE CAR IN REVERES, ENGINE SEIZED. REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE NECESSARY. $8000- $15,000. *TR
Apr 5, 2011 · 49,500 miles
Electrical system
SEE ODI CASE NUMBER: 10318487, COMPUTER FAILURE DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE INTO CAB. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE IN FALL, 2008. THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER (AT MY COST) AND ONE MONTH LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AGAIN, THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AND THE CARPETS NEEDED REMOVAL AND CLEANING DUE TO FUNGUS, ALL AT MY COST. *TR
Oct 1, 2008 · 70,000 miles
Electrical system
WE OWN A 2002 PORSCHE BOXSTER WITH APPROXIMATELY 66,000 MILES. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, USED, IN LATE 2003. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF USE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO WATER LEAKING INTO THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT AND FLOODING THE CONTROL UNIT, RENDERING THE CAR TOTALLY INOPERABLE. THE INCIDENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN OCTOBER, 2004 AT 33,000 MILES, APRIL, 2008 AT 61,000 MILES, AND CURRENTLY IN FEBRUARY, 2010. THE REPAIR HAS INITIALED REPLACING THE CONTROL UNIT AND HAVING TO PULL OUT THE CARPET SO AS TO INHIBIT MOLD GROWTH. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY, THE SECOND TIME WAS REPAIRED AT OUR EXPENSE OF APPROX. $1,600. THE ESTIMATE FOR THIS…
Feb 18, 2010 · 33,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN TOWN, AND THE CAR STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (PORSCHE OF LANSING) WHO INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE (PREMATURELY, AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 37600MI). THE CAR WAS IN REPAIR FOR 7 WEEKS, AT A COST OF $7700. THE DAY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED, THE CAR MADE A LOUD TICKING NOISE AND THEN A V. LOUD SNAPPING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS TIME, THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A NEW (REMANUFACTURED) UNIT. I CONTACTED PORSCHE FOR GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE ORIGINAL PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. THEY…
Jan 22, 2007 · 37,600 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCrash
BRAKES SUDDENLY LOOSE PRESSURE AND CAR DOES NOT STOP.
Jun 12, 2005 · 22,000 miles
Power train › Clutch assembly
MY CLUTCH WAS MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE FOR A WEEK AFTER I INITIALLY PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEN AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH. I ONLY HAVE 24000 MILES ON THE CLUTCH AND IT FAILED SUDDENLY CAUSING A BURNING CLOUD OF SMOKE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM INITIALLY TO THE PORSCHE DEALER IN NEW ORLEANS, CRESCENT CITY MOTORS, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT NOISES WERE COMMON AND THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS CAUSED MY CLUTCH TO BURN UP PREMATURELY, HOWEVER, THEY FEEL LIKE THERE WAS NO PROBLEM IN THE MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP. I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE THROW OUT BEARING IN PORSCHE BOXSTERS AND THIS IS THE PART THAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE. *JB
Jan 13, 2004 · 24,250 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.