2003 Porsche Boxster problems

“1. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW. IT IS MY DAILY DRIVER. ONLY SERVICED MY PORSCHE MECHANICS. IT HAD 32,500 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. AFTER LEAVING A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT, I NOTICED AN UNUSUAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NOT VERY LOAD. I THOUGHT IT HAD CAUGHT A PIECE OF DEBRIS IN THE BELT SYSTEM. DROVE IT SLOWLY HOME, AND THE SOUND GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE CAR. I CALLED THE PORSCHE DEALER IN MOBILE, AL FOR A TOW TRUCK. 2. I WAS TOLD BY THE PORSCHE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE CAR HAD EXPERIENCED THE INFAMOUS INTERMEDIATE SHAFT (IMS) FAILURE, AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THERE IS LITTLE TO NO WARNING OF THIS FAILURE, AND THEY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS CATASTROPHIC. REQUIRING COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. 3. PORSCHE NORTH AMERICA WAS CONTACTED WITH ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION. THEY RESPONDED WITH AN OFFER TO COVER HALF THE COST OF A FACTORY REBUILT ENGINE. I WOULD PAY THE OTHER HALF, PLUS ALL LABOR AND TOWING COSTS. THIS REPLACEMENT WILL COST ME OVER $11,000.00 !!! *TR”

“The contact owns a 2003 Porsche Boxster. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the indicator lights on the gear shifter for the park(P) and the four (4) position was flashing. In addition, while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift into fifth gear and the vehicle would enter LIMP Mode. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer on two separate occasions and was informed that the gear selector switch was sticky due to the vehicle not being driven. The vehicle was repaired after the failures; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 12,669.”

“The contact owns a 2003 Porsche Boxster equipped with Landgolden Tires, Tire Line: L27, Tire Size: 265/35/ZR18, DOT Number: (N/A). While performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear passenger’s side tire had experienced extensive tread separation. The online dealer from whom the tires were purchased from was contacted, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was not available.”

“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 DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.”

“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 SURGERY WOULD ALSO NOT WANT TO BE SEATED WITH AN AIRBAG. THE BOXSTER S IS ONLY A TWO PASSENGER CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT IT CAN ONLY BE DONE WITH THE CAR SEAT INSTALLED AND THAT THEY COULD NOT DISCONNECT THE AIRBAG ANY OTHER WAY. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IF I WAS TO DISCONNECT IT OR HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TRY TO INSTALL A TURN OFF SWITCH THEN I WOULD BE VOIDING THE WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THE 2005'S CAME WITH A TURN OFF SWITCH BUT NONE FOR THE 2003. I ASKED A MECHANIC IN MY FAMILY ABOUT THIS, HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. COULD YOU PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS.*JB”

“Vehicle has an open safety recall involving a condition that may increase the risk of a crash. During a visit to an authorized dealership for information regarding the recall, dealership personnel advised against completing the recall procedure. I was informed that due to the age of the vehicle and components, performing the recall could potentially damage the headlight seals and that I could be financially responsible for repairs if damage occurred during the recall process. This raised concerns because the recall relates to a safety issue, yet I was discouraged from having the repair performed unless I accepted potential liability for damage resulting from the recall work itself. As a result, the safety recall remains unresolved. No warning lamps or messages were present prior to this interaction. The issue described here concerns the handling of the recall and the guidance provided by the dealership regarding completion of a safety recall repair.”