Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Porsche Boxster, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure11
- Air bags8
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Electrical system6
- Seat belts2
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Exterior lighting1
- Visibility1
- Equipment1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1998 Porsche Boxster failed the safety check 0.74% of the time — 57% less often than the average 1998 passenger car (1.71%). Median odometer at inspection: 66,752 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
136 first registered in 1998 are on Dutch roads; 49% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €92,500.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde58
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen23
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm19
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld14
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht8
- Mistlicht voor onjuist afgesteld7
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)7
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
513 cars built in 1998 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 614 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 817 of these cars first registered in 1998 took their annual MOT test. 70% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1998 the figure was 64%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 15.1% | 16.0% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.5% | 7.2% |
| Suspension | 6.7% | 12.4% |
| Brakes | 6.6% | 11.8% |
| Visibility | 5.0% | 6.7% |
| Tyres | 3.7% | 3.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
20 of these cars first registered in 1998 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 172,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
33 1998 cars are on the New Zealand register; 88% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 12.0–13.5 L/100 km (about 17–20 mpg US), CO₂ 276–311 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boxster · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.9 | 9.7 | 12.0 |
| Boxster · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 15.7 | 10.7 | 13.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1998 Porsche Boxster.
| 2003009 21 Jan 2003 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with a Tiptronic transmission. The automatic transmission lever cable may be incorrectly adjusted. It may be possible to shift th… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
CERTAIN 2-DOOR CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TIPTRONIC (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH AN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED KEY-LOCK-CABLE DOWN TO THE SHIFT SELECTOR. IF THE KEY-LOCK-CABLE IS NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITION KEY WILL SNAG UPON BEING REMOVED FRO THE IGNITION LOCK OR THE SLECTOR LEVER CAN BE SHIFTED FROM POSITION "P" WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED AND THE LOCKING BUTTON OPERATED.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Porsche told its dealers about the 1998 Porsche Boxster: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635587 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FULE FILLER CAP. *TT |
| 635583 | CONCERNS WITH CLICKING NOISES FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TT |
| 635581 | CONCERNS WITH CLICKING NOISES FROM THE CENTER OF INSTRUMENT PANEL IN THE KNEE PROTECTOR STRIP AREA. *TT |
| 632415 | BRAKE BOOSTER SEAL AT THE FIREWALL CHANGED. *TT |
| 631150 | SUBJECT REGARDING WATER DRAINAGE IN FRONT COWL AREA. *SLC |
| 624984 | INFORMATION REGARDING NOISES DURING ACTUATION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. *YH |
| 616455 | INFORMATION ON THE PORSCHE COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT (PCM) CONTROL UNIT AND CD-ROM DRIVE EXCHANGE PROGRAM. *TT |
| 602008 | SUBJECT ON MANUAL GEARBOX-INSPECTION OF DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER. *YC |
| 601426 | TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON PROGRAMMING AUTOMATIC RELOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF DOORS AND REAR LID. *YC |
| 10252578 | Special tools and equipment information for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, and Panamera |
| 10252562 | Special tools and equipment information for brake caliper pins for the 911, Boxster, and Cayman |
| 10251154 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.020 |
| 10246417 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.050 & .052 |
| 10246387 | Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche A40 engine oils |
| 10246385 | Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche C30 engine oils |
| 10246384 | Instructions on manufacturers certificate for approved C20 engine oils |
| 10246374 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.040 & .041 |
| 10246372 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.035 |
| 10246369 | Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.030 - .032 |
| 10246366 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the glass roof - 9J0877069EY and 9J0877069DY |
| 10244982 | Special tools and equipment information on PIWIS tester update 42.250.050 |
| 10243631 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.250.045 |
| 10243630 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.250.042 |
| 10243625 | Information PIWIS tester update 42.250.040 |
| 10243617 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.250.032 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DOOR CABLE FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation