The 1999 Porsche Boxster has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 12,234 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
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:GASOLINE
6
AIR BAGS
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1
Total complaints35
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Misfires during warm up, after warm up the engine runs smooth with high rpm of 1200 to 1300. I have to tap the accelerator pad to lower the rpm,after couple of seconds the rpm goes back up. When it reaches 190 degrees rpm goes higher to almost 1500, temperature goes to 210 degrees fan turns on…”
“Misfires during warm up, after warm up the engine runs smooth with high rpm of 1200 to 1300. I have to tap the accelerator pad to lower the rpm,after couple of seconds the rpm goes back up. When it reaches 190 degrees rpm goes higher to almost 1500, temperature goes to 210 degrees fan turns on…”
“The airbag light has come on for the third time. The problem is in a sensor in the seatbelt. Each time it is the same problem and porsche wants me to spend $550 to replace the unit with the fourth sensor. I have declined to do this as they will not warranty the new unit. This is a well known…”
“The airbag light has come on for the third time. The problem is in a sensor in the seatbelt. Each time it is the same problem and porsche wants me to spend $550 to replace the unit with the fourth sensor. I have declined to do this as they will not warranty the new unit. This is a well known…”
“Porsche boxter airbag ( srs) malfunction. Spontaneous deployment. Monday, oct.11 2010 approx. 2:00. Vehicle had been unused for 4 weeks. I attempted to start the veh. Battery was almost dead. No action from starter. Veh alarm sounded. Alarm remained blaring unless key was in #1 position. I went…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 porsche boxster. The contact had massive engine failure while driving 20 mph and the crank shaft broke. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and the engine was replaced. The manufacturer advised the contact that the warranty was not valid and that there were no recalls…”
“This low-mileage vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure at freeway speed. The vehicle was cruising on level freeway when the engine lost power and white smoke began pouring out of the exhaust. The engine died and would not restart on the side of the freeway and was towed to a service…”
“Airbag light comes on in 1999 porsche boxster. This seems to be a common and recurring problem with porsche boxsters. It was taken to a repair shop who diagnosed the problem as a seat buckle problem. They indicated that it is a common problem. The issue is that there should be a recall issued to…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 Porsche Boxster as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.