1997 Porsche Boxster Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 23%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Porsche Boxster, 23% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1997 Porsche Boxster. While attempting to engage in park gear, the shifter became very difficult to move out of the drive position. The vehicle was towed to an unknown independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission selector seized and the selector leveler had to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer; however, Porsche of westwood in westwood, massachusetts was contacted by phone. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 98v112000 (power train) several years ago. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11074960, filed 2018-02, 102,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Porsche Boxster. The contact stated that the gear shift failed to shift into the park position. As a result, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear into neutral in order to start the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the gear indicator displayed that the vehicle was in reverse while it was in parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 98v112000 (power train). The failure mileage was 57,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10836988, filed 2016-02, 57,000 miles“Intermittently in neutral vehicle will stall out and die. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and could not correct the problem. Please provide additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #893719, filed 2001-08Related recalls
- 03V004000Jan 23, 2003Certain 2-door convertible passenger vehicles equipped with the tiptronic (automatic) transmission may have been produced with an incorrectly adjusted…Covers: Porsche Boxster 1997–2003, Boxster S 2000–2003
- 98V112000May 22, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with tiptronic transmissions. The bearing sleeves can seize in the intermediate selector levers.Covers: Porsche Boxster 1997
Related service bulletins
- 10252578Mar 15, 2024Special tools and equipment information for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, and Panamera
- 10016915Sep 6, 2005Clutch pedal does not fully reach its original position.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Porsche Boxster
7 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Porsche Boxster
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology