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Research · Two Seaters

2003 Porsche Boxster SRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2003 Porsche Boxster S. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (4) and structure (1). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
7
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 30, 2022NHTSA 22V656000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jan 23, 2003NHTSA 03V004000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2005 – Mar 2019
  1. Engine and engine cooling4
  2. Structure1
  3. Tires1
  4. Steering1
  5. Air bags1
  6. Power train1
  7. Electrical system1
  8. Latches/locks/linkages1

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 Boxster S model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20003
20012
200211
20037
20112
20131
20153
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

4 reports
“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 THE RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THEIR ENGINEER, HTTP://WWW.LNENGINEERING.COM/IMS.HTML. THEIR RESEARCH INDICATES THAT PORSCHE KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND THINKS IT HAS TO DO WITH PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER CARS (ONE OF WHICH IS MINE) AND FIXES IT WHEN IT HAPPENS DURING WARRANTY. I ASKED THEM TO HELP COVER THE COST AND THEY SAID NO, AS MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A CAR (PORSCHE OR NOT) SHOULD NOT FAIL LIKE THIS ESPECIALLY WITH NO WARNING. AS AN FYI, IT APPEARS PORSCHE FINALLY REDESIGNED THIS PART IN 2006. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME CAPTURE SOME OF MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE AS WELL AS MAKE OTHER USERS AWARE WITH A POSSIBLE RECALL. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10344995

Structure

1 report1 crash
“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 LIGHTLY AND IT CAME DOWN ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, THEN STARTED TO PULLING ME TO THE RIGHT IMMEDIATELY. I TURNED LEFT TO CORRECT AND THE FRONT TIRES LOST TRACTION AND SO THE REAR TIRES LOST TRACTION IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR SPUN AROUND TWICE AND SIDESWIPED AGAINST THE CURB ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE FRONT ENDED UP FACING EASTWARDLY, JUST THE SAME WAY AS I WAS HEADING. I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. THE LEFT SIDE DOOR AIRBAG OPENED UP. MY LEFT ARM AND SIDE OF MY BODY GOT ALL BRUISED UP AND SORE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, BECAUSE OF THE CAR AND AIRBAG IMPACT. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WENT OVER THE CURB AND DID NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE. THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2019Structure, TiresCrash reportedODI 11186922

Tires

1 report1 crash
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S5)
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 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Boxster S
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$3,950468
Boxster S
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$4,200494
  • Boxster S
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,950/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Boxster S
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $4,200/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 2003 Porsche Boxster S as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 4957
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

2003 Boxster S questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Porsche Boxster S have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Porsche Boxster S problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (4), structure (1), tires (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Porsche Boxster S get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Porsche Boxster S at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026