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Porsche Boxster: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year

Of 21 model years of the Porsche Boxster on record, 2005 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (19, most often about engine and engine cooling). 2003 has the most recall campaigns (4). 2003 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (4).

How to read this

Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data

Year Recalls Complaints Crash, fire or injury Most reported Combined
2020 0 0 0 — 22 MPG
2019 0 0 0 — 24 MPG
2018 0 0 0 — 24 MPG
2017 0 0 0 — 25 MPG
2016 0 0 0 — 24 MPG
2015 2 3 0 SUSPENSION 24 MPG
2014 3 2 0 ENGINE 25 MPG
2013 1 10 1 ENGINE 25 MPG
2012 1 1 0 SERVICE BRAKES 23 MPG
2011 0 2 0 POWER TRAIN 23 MPG
2010 0 2 0 POWER TRAIN 24 MPG
2009 0 3 0 POWER TRAIN 24 MPG
2008 0 1 0 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 21 MPG
2007 0 2 0 POWER TRAIN 21 MPG
2006 0 5 0 ENGINE 19 MPG
2005 0 19 1 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19 MPG
2004 3 4 0 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19 MPG
2003 4 19 4 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19 MPG
2002 4 11 3 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18 MPG
2001 4 13 2 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18 MPG
2000 3 5 2 ENGINE 18 MPG

Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.

All years of the Porsche Boxster

Questions

Which Porsche Boxster year has the most complaints?
Of 21 model years of the Porsche Boxster on record, 2005 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (19, most often about engine and engine cooling).
Which Porsche Boxster year has the most recalls?
2003 has the most recall campaigns (4).
Which Porsche Boxster years have no complaints or recalls on record?
2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016. That can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, not only a better one.
How is this comparison made?
We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.