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Research · Two Seaters

2012 Porsche BoxsterRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for the 2012 Porsche Boxster. Most complaints involve service brakes (1). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2011
Owner complaints
1
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts

Free remedy

PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 911 SPEEDSTER AND 911 GTS RS 4.0; AND MODEL YEAR 2012 BOXSTER (INCLUDING S AND SPYDER); CAYMAN (INCLUDING S AND R); 911 CARRERA (INCLUDING S, GTS, 4, 4S, AND 4 GTS); 911 TARGA 4 AND TARGA 4S; AND 911 TURBO AND TURBO S MODELS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 31, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE MOUNTING HOLES IN THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATES FITTED TO THE VEHICLE ARE TOO SMALL. IF THE HOLE DIAMETER IS TOO SMALL, THE ANCHOR PLATE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ROTATE ABOUT THE FASTENING BOLT AS DESIGNED.

Seat beltsReported Aug 5, 2011NHTSA 11V409000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2019 – Mar 2019
  1. Service brakes1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199722
199832
199928
20005
200113
200211
200319
20044
200519
20065
20072
20081
20093
20102
20112
20121
201310
20142
20153
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

1 report
“KNOWN PROBLEM WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL PIN /SPINDLE WEARS IN THE PIVOT BUSH MECHANISM. THIS INTERFERES WITH PEDAL MOVEMENT AND CAN STICK CAUSING BRAKES TO STICK ON. THIS CAN CAUSE DASH WARNINGS BUT IF NOT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLES BRAKES TO OVERHEAT WITHOUT DRIVERS KNOWLEDGE. THE UPGRADED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM PORSCHE AS THE OLD VERSION SPINDLE AND BUSHES ARE FLAWED. I HAVE REPLACED THE PARTS,P99142328400 BEARING PIN / SPINDLE AND BUSHES P7PP721113A. THEY ARE SMALL IN COST BUT COULD PREVENT SERIOUS FAILURE OR INJURY / DEATH.. I LIVE IN UK AND BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO YOU”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2019Service brakesODI 11184514
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
2.9L 6-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 7-spd · 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 Oct 30, 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
Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202923$3,450386
Boxster S
Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202923$3,450386
Boxster Spyder
Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202923$3,450386
Boxster
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192622$3,600404
Boxster Spyder
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192622$3,600404
Boxster S
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192621$3,800423
  • Boxster
    Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 2.9 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Boxster S
    Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Boxster Spyder
    Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Boxster
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.9 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Boxster Spyder
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Boxster S
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 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 2012 Porsche Boxster as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 6192
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

2012 Boxster questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Boxster have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 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 2012 Porsche Boxster problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Porsche Boxster get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Porsche Boxster at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026