The 2003 Porsche Boxster S has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 235,092 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
POWER TRAIN03V0040002003-01-2312,234 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
IF THE SELECTOR LEVER IS THEN SHIFTED FROM POSITION "P" TO POSITION "R, N OR D" WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED, AND IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ON, THE VHEICLE WILL NOT BE SECURED FROM INADVERTENLY ROLLING AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE ADJUSTMENT AND, REGARDLESS OF THE RESULTS OF THIS INSPECTION, THE KEY-LOCK-CABLE MUST ALSO BE ADJUSTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE…
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1
STEERING
1
1crashes1injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
1crashes1injuries
TIRES
1
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints11
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“I have a 2003 porsche boxster s with 32,000mi on it. On the 8th of march, the engine failed with an intermediate shaft bearing failure requiring the replacement of the engine. Porsche cars north america are not helpful. Such a catastrophic failure of the engine in my opinion is dangerous and…”
“On saturday, may 16th this boxster suffered engine failure while traveling at ~ 30 mph. The engine failed with no prior warning. The initial indication was a loud and distracting flapping noise that sounded like something had been picked up on the car's undercarriage. This was followed within a…”
“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…”
“I have had many problems with a 2003 boxster s I purchased in may 2003 from mckenna porsche in norwalk, ca. Some of the major problems in the last 2 years include: 1) condensation in oil filler area; 2) oil leaks in 2 locations; 3) worn drive belt; 4) clutch causing grinding noise; 5) iginition…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Porsche Boxster S as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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