1997 Porsche BOXSTER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 18 complaints (27.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 38.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Air Bags: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2001: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10026513 · 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AS A RESULT CONSUMER HAS NO WIPERS/ HEADLIGHTS/AIR CONDITIONER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031692 · 2003-07-31 (July 31, 2003)
NHTSA: 98-V-113-000:VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN CRACK AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAILURES. CONSUMER STATED HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALL DUE TO THE VIN#. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057153 · 2004-01-30 (January 30, 2004)
WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071521 · 2004-04-26 (April 26, 2004)
UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE CONSUMER INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY, AND DROVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES. THEN CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100921 · 2004-12-02 (December 2, 2004)
1997 PORSCHE BOXTER TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SELECTOR INCREASINGLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND EVENTUALLY UNABLE TO PUT IN PARK AND OR DRIVE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116467 · 2005-04-06 (April 6, 2005)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THE SAME FAILURE AS RECALL #W03 IN 1998. DEALER REPLACED SWITCH IN 1999, IGNITION SWITCH CRACKED AND FAILED AGAIN 2005. I AM TOLD BY PORSCHE MY VEHICEL IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 74,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126011 · 2005-06-21 (June 21, 2005)
DT: RECALL 98V113000. WAS ISSUED CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. CALLER SAID HER CAR HAD SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN RECALL. DEALER SAID THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. MANUFACTURER SAID THIS CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY , AND NOT IN THE RECALL, AND WILL OFFER NO HELP. ALSO, ANOTHER RECALL 98E005000. CONCERNING AIR BAGS WAS MENTIONED. CALLER SAID THEY WILL NOT HELP HER WITH THIS RECALL EITHER. CALLER HAS PAID FOR PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD BE UNDER THESE RECALLS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134077 · 2005-08-24 (August 24, 2005)
SRS (AIRBAG LIGHT) ON DUE TO FAULTY GROUNDING IN SEATBELT SWITCH. PORSCHE BOXSTERS HAVE AN ISSUE WITH IT'S AIRBAG LIGHTS ON DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE WAY PORSCHE HAS GROUNDED THE SWITCH ON THE SEAT BELT HARNESS. PORSCHE HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND PARTS UPDATE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, BUT FIXES ARE DONE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134077 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V004000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V112000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 1998-05-22 (May 22, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE BEARING SLEEVES CAN SEIZE IN THE INTERMEDIATE SELECTOR LEVERS.
Consequence: THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MOVE RESULTING IN FAILURE TO ACTIVATE THE SELECTOR LEVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED BEARING SLEEVES OF THE LEVER WITH BEARING SLEEVES OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V113000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 1998-05-22 (May 22, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN CRACK AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAILURES.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEATER BLOWER, HEADLAMPS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TYPE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗