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Porsche BoxsterModel year report

2002 Porsche Boxster Problems

Complaints
10filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
37,600miles, 9 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
20 mpgcombined, 2.7L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Porsche Boxster (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2002 Porsche Boxster. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (30% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and body and structure (2). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,600 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 361 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 36 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 64 technical service bulletins 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: “Ims engine failure. Known issues with Porsche. Porsche Boxster 49,500 miles. Place car in reveres, engine seized. Replacement of engine necessary. $8000- $15,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10395201, filed 2011-04, 49,500 miles

Electrical system: “We own a 2002 Porsche Boxster with approximately 66,000 miles. We purchased the vehicle, used, in late 2003. On three separate occasions we have experienced total loss of use of the vehicle due to water leaking into the interior compartment and flooding the control unit, rendering the car totally inoperable. The incidents have taken place in october, 2004 at 33,000 miles, april, 2008 at 61,000 miles, and currently in february, 2010. The repair has initialed replacing the control unit and having to pull out the carpet so as to inhibit mold growth. …”

NHTSA complaint #10318487, filed 2010-03, 33,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “My clutch was making a terrible noise for a week after I initially purchased the car and then again about a week prior to the failure of the clutch. I only have 24000 miles on the clutch and it failed suddenly causing a burning cloud of smoke. I reported the problem initially to the Porsche dealer in new orleans, crescent city motors, and they told me that noises were common and that it was not a problem. I feel this caused my clutch to burn up prematurely, however, they feel like there was no problem in the materials and workmanship. …”

NHTSA complaint #10056618, filed 2004-02, 24,250 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 24,250 and 69,554 miles.

11%0–1022%10–2533%25–5022%50–7511%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 37,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2002200320042005200720102201120122
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 2002 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 RWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed manual172520$4,100
Boxster RWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162318$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 2002 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. 361 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 361 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 2002 Porsche Boxster have?

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2002 Porsche Boxster as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Porsche Boxster is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (30% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2002 Porsche Boxster 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 2002 Porsche Boxster get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Porsche Boxster (Boxster, 2.7L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 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 2002 Porsche Boxster reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,600 miles and the middle half falls between 24,250 and 69,554 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.