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Porsche BoxsterModel year report

1999 Porsche Boxster Problems

Complaints
28filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Porsche Boxster (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1999 Porsche Boxster. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 16 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags (7) and electrical system (3). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 131 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 35 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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 had driven the car without incident to a store. When I tried to start the car later it would not start. It was determined by both an independent mechanic and a Porsche dealer that the car had sustained catastrophic engine failure of an unknown origin. (they were not be able to determine exactly what the problem without disassembling the engine. I did not ask them to do this.). I replaced the engine.”

NHTSA complaint #10164077, filed 2006-12, 50,911 miles

Air bags: “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 defect in this car according to servicemen and there are similar complaints on your website. I have called and written to Porsche without response.”

NHTSA complaint #10381055, filed 2011-02, 50,000 miles

Electrical system: “Airbag warning lamp staying on due to a poorly designed sensor system that relies on seat belt buckle and grounding system electrical resistances being incredibly stable over time. This is a design flaw that has been addressed by redesigned seat belt receptacles and replacing wires. If you don't fix this problem, you will never know if you have a real problem with the airbag system, which is obviously a safety issue. If you want to clear this lamp indication, you must shell out $500 to $1500 to do so. …”

NHTSA complaint #10178448, filed 2007-01, 20,000 miles

Seat belts: “I have a 1999 Porsche Boxster that had no problems concerning safety, airbag or the seat belts of the car until the air bag light mysteriously turned on. The independent repair shop decoded the code to find the problem is a sensor on the passenger seat belt that is faulty, but the air bag was still working properly. The dealer (rusnak Porsche of pasadena) admitted this was not normal wear and tear, the problem is common, but was not covered since my car was out of warranty. …”

NHTSA complaint #10134376, filed 2005-08

Mileage when problems were reported

47% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 26,000 and 69,353 miles.

7%0–1020%10–2520%25–5033%50–757%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

9200020032005200720102012
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 1999 Porsche Boxster 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 RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172420$4,100
Boxster RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152217$4,850

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 1999 Porsche Boxster → · 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. 131 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 131 bulletins →

Other model years of the Porsche Boxster

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2013107,1841—25—Not enough data
2006522,0000—20—Not enough data
20051638,0480—21—Stable
20031219,0002—21—Not enough data
20021037,6002—20—Not enough data
20011353,2082—20—Not enough data
2000549,0001—20—Not enough data
19992850,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983249,1001—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19972256,0003—20—Stable

All Porsche Boxster model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Porsche Boxster have?

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1999 Porsche Boxster as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Porsche Boxster is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 16 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags with 7.

Has the 1999 Porsche Boxster been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Porsche Boxster get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Porsche Boxster (Boxster, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Porsche Boxster reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 26,000 and 69,353 miles; 47% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.