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Porsche Boxster SModel year report

2003 Porsche Boxster S Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
53,590miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Porsche Boxster S (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2003 Porsche Boxster S. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and electrical system (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 53,590 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 359 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 38 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “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 should be taken more seriously by pcna considering the number of cases that are out there.”

NHTSA complaint #10319298, filed 2010-03, 32,000 miles

Air bags: “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 inquired about the size of this seat and was informed that it would fit a child up to 5 years of age. I told them that the law requires that a child 12 and under must not be seated with an airbag. Also an elderly person or someone who recently had surgery would also not want to be seated with an airbag. …”

NHTSA complaint #10180899, filed 2007-01

Electrical system: “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 switch & key didn't work; air conditioning unit didn't cool; 6) stereo system didn't work. Mckenna has repaired/replaced all items to date except the clutch. Mckenna advised clucth problem is my responsibility due to wear and cost is $1700. The vehilce has 19000 miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #10128917, filed 2005-07, 60 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 32,000 and 130,000 miles.

17%0–100%10–2533%25–5017%50–750%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 53,590 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2005200720092010220192
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Porsche Boxster S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Boxster S RWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual162419$4,350
Boxster S RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152418$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Porsche Boxster S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 359 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 359 bulletins →

Other model years of the Porsche Boxster S

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2003753,5902—19—Not enough data

All Porsche Boxster S model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Porsche Boxster S have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2003 Porsche Boxster S as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Porsche Boxster S is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.

Has the 2003 Porsche Boxster S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Porsche Boxster S get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Porsche Boxster S (Boxster S, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Porsche Boxster S reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 53,590 miles and the middle half falls between 32,000 and 130,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.