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Porsche BoxsterModel year report

2003 Porsche Boxster Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
19,000miles, 10 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
21 mpgcombined, 2.7L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 27 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2003 Porsche Boxster. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and brakes (1). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 70% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 19,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 376 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 16 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.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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 vehicle would enter LIMP Mode. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer on two separate occasions and was informed that the gear selector switch was sticky due to the vehicle not being driven. The vehicle was repaired after the failures; however, the failure persisted. …”

NHTSA complaint #11530804, filed 2023-07, 12,669 miles

Air bags: “The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own causing the contact to lose control which resulted an accident. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to this incident. There were no lights illuminated on the dash. The vehicle finally hit a curb causing extensive damage to the vehicle. The driver was injured, but hasn't gone to the hospital. There was a police report filed. The air bags also did not deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #10161053, filed 2006-06, 18,000 miles

Engine: “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 bearings. The cars that were involved are cars from 2001-2005 Porsche Boxster. There was a lawsuit (eisen vs. Porsche cars north america) that took place and settled before going into trial. People that owned the cars were notified to get their ims bearings fixed through Porsche. I was never notified. …”

NHTSA complaint #11265610, filed 2019-10

Mileage when problems were reported

70% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 77,312 miles.

10%0–1050%10–2510%25–500%50–7520%75–10010%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 19,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2003200620122014201920262
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 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 manual182721$3,900
Boxster RWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162419$4,350

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 → · 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. 376 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 376 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 2003 Porsche Boxster have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2003 Porsche Boxster as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.

Has the 2003 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 2003 Porsche Boxster get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Porsche Boxster (Boxster, 2.7L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 19,000 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 77,312 miles; 70% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.