2003 Porsche BOXSTER S: complaints, problems and recalls

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH A 2003 BOXSTER S I PURCHASED IN MAY 2003 FROM MCKENNA PORSCHE IN NORWALK, CA. SOME OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS INCLUDE: 1) CONDENSATION IN OIL FILLER AREA; 2) OIL LEAKS IN 2 LOCATIONS; 3) WORN DRIVE BELT; 4) CLUTCH CAUSING GRINDING NOISE; 5) IGINITION SWITCH & KEY DIDN'T WORK; AIR CONDITIONING UNIT DIDN'T COOL; 6) STEREO SYSTEM DIDN'T WORK. MCKENNA HAS REPAIRED/REPLACED ALL ITEMS TO DATE EXCEPT THE CLUTCH. MCKENNA ADVISED CLUCTH PROBLEM IS MY RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO WEAR AND COST IS $1700. THE VEHI…

Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128917 at NHTSA ↗

CALLED PORSCHE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT HOW TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IN 2003 BOXSTER S. I WAS TOLD THAT A PORSCHE MANUFACTURER CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED AND THEN THE SEAT BELT WOULD BE BUCKLED INTO THAT. THIS DEVICE WOULD THEN TURN OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I INQUIRED ABOUT THE SIZE OF THIS SEAT AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD FIT A CHILD UP TO 5 YEARS OF AGE. I TOLD THEM THAT THE LAW REQUIRES THAT A CHILD 12 AND UNDER MUST NOT BE SEATED WITH AN AIRBAG. ALSO AN ELDERLY PERSON OR SOMEONE WHO RECENTLY HAD SUR…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10180899 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

I HAVE A 2003 PORSCHE BOXSTER S WITH 32,000MI ON IT. ON THE 8TH OF MARCH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITH AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BEARING FAILURE REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA ARE NOT HELPFUL. SUCH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE IN MY OPINION IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY BY PCNA CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT ARE OUT THERE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319298 at NHTSA ↗

MY ENGINE FAILED DUE TO A PART CALLED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE CAR IS A 2003 PORSCHE, BOXSTER S WITH 47,000. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON LINE AND APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP I WENT TO, KNEW RIGHT AWAY ABOUT THE FAILURE AS THEY SEE AT LEAST 1 PER MONTH. WHEN THIS PART FAILS, THE REMEDY IS A NEW (OR USED ENGINE). THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW OF THIS FAILURE UNTIL IT HAPPENS. I REPLACED MY ENGINE AND IT COST $12,000. THIS WEBSITE PROVIDES A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PORSCHE PROBLEM AND IT SHOWS SOME OF T…

Owner-reported narrative. 47,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344995 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

Reported: 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2022-08-30 (August 30, 2022)

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."

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

Remedy: 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.