2002 Porsche Boxster problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (2) · Tires (1) · Structure:body (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Porsche Boxster model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-08-30 · campaign 22V656000 · 222,858 vehicles
Defect: 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 Federa
Risk: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
Service bulletins (371)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-29 · GR13D801-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
parts information for parts withdrawal - radio & satellite radio receiver. note that part 91164559100 is also applicable to the following models not in the product list: 911 (1970-1989), 914 (1970-1976), 924 (1976-1985), 924s (1986-1988), 928 (1978-1995), 944 (1982-1991), 964 (1989-1994), 968 (1992-
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 28-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c40 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 27-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c20 engine oils. note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c20 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 26-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c30 engine oils. note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which c30 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 25-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche a40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which a40 engine oils are assigned. model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.
Wheels 2026-09-14 · SPTL2609 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
special tools and equipment information for alignment machines - q3 2026 software spec update available
Showing the 6 most recent of 371 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2012-09-13 · Power Train · 69,554 mi“2002 porche boxster. consumer writes in regards to complaint concerning vehicle parts *tgw the consumer stated the cables from the shifter to the transmission failed while driving in heavy traffic. …”
2012-04-08 · Seat Belts · 80,000 mi“the seat belt on my vehicle, when buckled, has a tendency to not latch completely and allows for the release without pressing the release button. also when it is latched, there is a tendency for it to get caught and not release without significant pulling force on the buckle. *tr…”
2011-04-07 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 49,500 mi“ims engine failure. known issues with porsche. porsche boxster 49,500 miles. place car in reveres, engine seized. replacement of engine necessary. $8000- $15,000. *tr…”
2010-03-16 · Structure · 70,000 mi“see odi case number: 10318487, computer failure due to water leakage into cab. this happened to me twice in fall, 2008. the first time, the dealer replaced the computer (at my cost) and one month later, it happened again. again, the computer was replaced and the carpets needed removal and cleaning due to fungus, all at my cost. *tr…”
2010-03-10 · Structure:body · 33,000 mi“we own a 2002 porsche boxster with approximately 66,000 miles. we purchased the vehicle, used, in late 2003. on three separate occasions we have experienced total loss of use of the vehicle due to water leaking into the interior compartment and flooding the control unit, rendering the car totally inoperable. the incidents have taken place in o…”
2007-03-17 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 37,600 mi“i was driving at low speeds in town, and the car stalled with the check engine light flashing. the car was towed to a local dealer (porsche of lansing) who indicated that the timing chain broke (prematurely, as the car only has 37600mi). the car was in repair for 7 weeks, at a cost of $7700. the day after the repair was finished, the car made a lo…”
2005-06-14 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · 22,000 mi · 💥 crash“brakes suddenly loose pressure and car does not stop. …”
2004-02-05 · Power Train:clutch Assembly · 24,250 mi“my clutch was making a terrible noise for a week after i initially purchased the car and then again about a week prior to the failure of the clutch. i only have 24000 miles on the clutch and it failed suddenly causing a burning cloud of smoke. i reported the problem initially to the porsche dealer in new orleans, crescent city motors, and they to…”
2003-01-15 · Tires · 7,000 mi · 💥 crash“original equipment tires on 2002 porsche boxter s are not safe on wet pavement. the type of tires are designed for clean dry pavement only. very dangerous on wet pavement. no warning is provided to owner. not disclosed to owner, tire manufacturer warns of use on other than clean dry pavement. car hydroplanned during first rainstorm and caused serio…”
2002-07-30 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 💥 crash“on two occasions and on two separate vehicle engine camshaft failed while driving. dealer and manufacturer were aware of problem. feel free to provide any further information.*ak…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.