2003 Porsche BOXSTER S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
53,590 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 42.9% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 28.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Air Bags:On-Off Switch Assembly | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock | 1 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Air Bags:On-Off Switch Assembly: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock: 1; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 1; Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10273686 · 2009-06-13 (June 13, 2009)
ON SATURDAY, MAY 16TH THIS BOXSTER SUFFERED ENGINE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT ~ 30 MPH. THE ENGINE FAILED WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THE INITIAL INDICATION WAS A LOUD AND DISTRACTING FLAPPING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING HAD BEEN PICKED UP ON THE CAR'S UNDERCARRIAGE. THIS WAS FOLLOWED WITHIN A MOMENT BY SHUTDOWN OF THE ENGINE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WE FEEL FORTUNATE THAT THIS ENGINE FAILED AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED IN LIGHT TRAFFIC, SO THAT NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES OCCURRED. HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED EARLIER IN THE DAY WHILE WE WERE DRIVIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,679 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184572 · 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PORSCHE BOXSTER S. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 100 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE STEERING PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BRUISES TO THE LEFT ARM, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11186922 · 2019-03-14 (March 14, 2019)
MARCH 5, 2019. [XXX]. [XXX] 2003 PORSCHE BOXSTER 3.2 ENGINE WITH BRAND NEW MICHELIN ULTRA-HIGH-PERFORMANCE TIRES. ON DECEMBER 31, 2018 ABOUT 10:30 AM, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR GOING EAST, ABOUT 80 TO 100 MILES PER HOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF THREE LANES.WHEN I REACHED THE TOP OF THE HILL, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WOBBLE IN THE AIR, ONE SIDE WENT UP AND THEN IT CAME DOWN: AND THEN THE OTHER SIDE WENT UP AND CAME DOWN ALTERNATING FOR FEW SECONDS; AND THEN THE WHOLE FRONT END STARTED TO GO UP LIKE IT OR TAKING OFF AS AN AIRPLANE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES LIGHT…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11186922 at NHTSA ↗