Research · Two Seaters

2021 Porsche 718 BoxsterRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster. Most complaints involve seat belts (1) and back over prevention (1). The EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–24mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
2
Top: seat belts
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2022 – Oct 2025
  1. Seat belts1
  2. Back over prevention1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 718 Boxster model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20212
20231
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Seat belts

1 report
“The seat belt mechanism does not retract on the passenger side of my 2021 Porsche Boxster GTS 718. There was no warning and nothing happened to have caused this. This seat is hardly used as I am the sole driver of this. The seat belt was looked at by a body shop and dealer and we were warned it is an extremely unsafe to have someone in that seat . It does not work as designed and would be dangerous for someone in a short stop or accident etc. At just reached the 4 year mark from when I bought it, seems like a defect in the belt mechanism, according to car experts, as mentioned above .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2025Seat beltsODI 11695136

Back over prevention

1 report
“There is an intermittent problem where the backup camera fails to display an image when the gear selector is in Reverse. Backup camera reveals hazards that are not visible from the driver’s seat. Dealer has so far had three opportunities to diagnose the problem (and failed). Dealer was provided video of engaging reverse while the display failed to show an image. No other inspections were done. No other warnings, etc. I have had the car for 14 months and this (and other related) issues occurred sporadically during that time”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2022Back over preventionODI 11471862
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
718 Boxster
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
212724$3,300375
718 Boxster T
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
212723$3,450380
718 Boxster
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202622$3,600394
718 Boxster S
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192522$3,600410
718 Boxster T
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202622$3,600394
718 Boxster GTS
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192421$3,800418
718 Boxster S
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192421$3,800423
718 Boxster GTS
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172419$4,200458
  • 718 Boxster
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 27 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • 718 Boxster T
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 27 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • 718 Boxster
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 718 Boxster S
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 718 Boxster T
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 718 Boxster GTS
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • 718 Boxster S
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • 718 Boxster GTS
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 15787
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 718 Boxster questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 6, 2026.

What are the most common 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (1), back over prevention (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster at 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026