The 2003 Porsche Boxster has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 235,092 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. 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
POWER TRAIN
2
AIR BAGS
1
1injuries
ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
SEATS
1
SERVICE BRAKES
1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1
1crashes
TIRES
1
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Vehicle has an open safety recall involving a condition that may increase the risk of a crash. During a visit to an authorized dealership for information regarding the recall, dealership personnel advised against completing the recall procedure. I was informed that due to the age of the vehicle…”
“The contact owns a 2003 porsche boxster equipped with landgolden tires, tire line: l27, tire size: 265/35/zr18, dot number: (n/a). While performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear passenger’s side tire had experienced extensive tread separation. The…”
“The ims bearings in the 2001-2005 porsche boxster would just stop the engine if not replaced. Hello, I bought my 2003 posche boxster brand new from rector porsche/audi dealership of burlingame back in 2003. I recently found out that porsche had a faulty part in their engine called the ims…”
“The contact owns a 2003 porsche boxster. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the indicator lights on the gear shifter for the park(p) and the four (4) position was flashing. In addition, while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift into fifth gear and the…”
“Took my porsche boxster to the local porsche dealer for an oil change. They called me back and said my car had a gasoline fuel leak and needed a replacement fuel level sensor it was cracked and leaking fuel.. The service order at pickup said mechanic noted fuel dripping from gas tank...noted…”
“Rear brakes (both sides) began applying themselves with no driver input, locking up within about 5 seconds. *tr”
“A strange thing happened as my wife and I were driving home at night in our '03 boxster. The seatback on the passenger side mysteriously began rotating forward, all efforts to stop it using body force failed. My wife was crushed into the glove box by the time I was able to pull over and stop. She…”
“1. I purchased this car new. It is my daily driver. Only serviced my porsche mechanics. It had 32,500 miles at time of failure. After leaving a doctor's appointment, I noticed an unusual sound coming from the engine compartment. Not very load. I thought it had caught a piece of debris in the belt…”
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 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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