2013 Porsche Boxster problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (2) · Structure:body (2) · Engine (2)
🧭 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)
Power Train:axle Assembly 2021-09-01 · campaign 21V679000 · 4,934 vehicles
Defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Boxster, 2013-2014 Boxster S, 2014-2015 Cayman, Cayman S, 2015 Boxster GTS, and Cayman GTS vehicles. The rear-axle carrier side sections may fracture.
Risk: A carrier fracture may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear-axle carrier side sections, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB7.
Service bulletins (444)
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.
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
Electrical System 2026-09-01 · No. 12-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical information for damage to nano plug contacts due to utilization of incorrect measuring equipment
Showing the 6 most recent of 444 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-11-03 · Unknown Or Other“there is an open recall on my porsche boxster, the porsche recall number for this is amc0. the recall involves reprogramming the car to reduce emissions in sport+ mode. my car has an aftermarket tune on the ecu, and the porsche dealership has told me that the recall is not possible due to this modification. if i want to get the recall done, they wa…”
2022-06-08 · Suspension“2013 porsche boxter. consumer writes in regard to nhtsa safety recall 21v-679. the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall. the consumer received a letter stating the parts were available, but the dealer denied having the parts.…”
2022-03-10 · Suspension“2013 porsche boxter. consumer writes in regards to issue with control arm mounts on rear suspension. the consumer referenced recall 21v-679. the consumer stated the parts necessary to complete the recall repair were unavailable. …”
2019-11-22 · Power Train · 22,230 mi“2013 porsche boxster. car rolls when stopped with transmission in 'park.' similar to recalls of porsche cayennes and panameras. may be similar to the transmission connection bushing problem that came loose in other models.…”
2017-12-13 · Unknown Or Other · 5,769 mi“horn sticks loud and remains on for about one minute. suspect bracket holding airbag needs new isolation "o" rings which, over time, allow horn to touch bracket completing horn relay circuit. could cause other cars to swerve into traffic. specifically, i was stopped for a 4 way stop sign, another car approached at such a speed that i saw she wa…”
2017-02-23 · Engine · 8,600 mi“my 2013 boxster is currently at the dealer for repairs for the 7th time due to rodent damage to wiring. porsche used a soy based compound on its wires which is extremely attractive to rodents. porsche germany and porsche north america deny the use of these products. an email yesterday stated "we do not have any information that indicates we curr…”
2016-08-29 · Service Brakes · 25,000 mi“it lost power brakes during my driving at 45 miles/hour. the vehicle couldn't stop more than 200 yard before a traffic light. i almost hit into traffic which runs at 55 miles per hour. the car drove about 25000 miles when power brakes failed. porsche said vehicle's vacuum pump broken. they fixed. i asked them what is life for a vacuum pump, they re…”
2013-10-19 · Engine · 5,373 mi“my dashboard reads fault of the engine control system and a yellow engine appears i called porsche of ramsey nj as i have not had this vehicle for three months yet and was told not to drive the vehicle they had buckwild towing tow my vehicle to their location i am extremely upset and want restitution from this company i don't have the mileage but i…”
2013-06-27 · Structure:body · 💥 crash“i rented a 2013 porsche boxter conv. they dropped it off to me at store, due to my car being towed away from being hit. was quickly shown the outside to verify no body or wheel damage' few days later, driving rental, i pull up behind a pick up truck on the coldwater cyn in los angeles, (one way, each direction} traffic came to a standstill, an…”
2013-05-08 · Structure:body · 4,800 mi“ on the 2013 boxster the tailpipe can burn your leg if you're not carefully when you go to open the rear trunk. it my view that the tailpipe extend to long from the bumper of the car and therefore, when someone goes to open the trunk your leg will touch the tailpipe. my wife was burn on her leg from the tailpipe. i made a complaint to north ameri…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.