Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Porsche Boxster, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system5
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Tires2
- Service brakes2
- Structure2
- Suspension2
- Air bags2
- Power train2
- Visibility1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 2001 Boxster vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Porsche Boxster failed the safety check 1.19% of the time — 41% less often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 66,172 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2001 Porsche Boxster cars on Dutch roads are the 3.2 petrol (185 kW, 248 hp) and 2.7 petrol (162 kW, 217 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2 petrol | 185 kW 248 hp | 112 |
| 2.7 petrol | 162 kW 217 hp | 91 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
218 first registered in 2001 are on Dutch roads; 62% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €75,051.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde118
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld44
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen29
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm20
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af19
- Band onvoldoende profiel18
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect17
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)16
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,441 cars built in 2001 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,307 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, 2,167 of these cars first registered in 2001 took their annual MOT test. 74% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2001 the figure was 59%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2001 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.0% | 19.3% |
| Brakes | 7.4% | 13.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.2% | 6.8% |
| Suspension | 6.4% | 15.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.7% | 9.7% |
| Visibility | 3.8% | 7.6% |
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
30 of these cars first registered in 2001 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 155,000 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
48 2001 cars are on the New Zealand register; 58% arrived as used imports, 33% 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 11.8–12.9 L/100 km (about 18–20 mpg US), CO₂ 271–297 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boxster · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 9.4 | 11.8 |
| Boxster · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 15.0 | 10.4 | 12.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 Porsche Boxster.
| 2022487 31 Aug 2022 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, covers were not installed over the horizontal headlamp adjusters. As a result, the headlamps may be adjusted horizontally. Canadia… |
| 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
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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 2001 Porsche Boxster: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635600 | INFORMATION ON FAILURE / DEFECT OF THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. *TT |
| 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 |
| 619995 | TECHNICAL INFORMATION REGARDING FAILURE / DEFECT OF NAVIGATION SYSTEM. *TT |
| 11011666 | Parts information with parts withdrawal involving the hydro-mounting - 992199384F The affected vehicles are cars that use the part number mentioned. |
| 11011572 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the oil separator. The affected vehicles are cars that use part number 0PC115099A |
| 11011570 | Special tools and equipment information for the WiScope UV upgrade - affecting all Porsche models |
| 11011563 | Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.020 & .021. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11011561 | Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.017. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11011552 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the camera and control unit with the camera - PAD980551 & PAD980568C. The affected vehicles are cars that use the part numbers mentioned. |
| 11011200 | Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.016. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models with an OBD2 port. |
| 11011195 | Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.010, .011 & .015. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models with an OBD2 port. |
| 11009877 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.048 |
| 11009862 | Special tools and equipment information for the mobile data signal strength in the workshop |
| 11008666 | Manufacturers certificate with an overview on approved Porsche A40 engine oils. See attached for list of affected vehicles. |
| 11008658 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the windscreen. Vehicles affected are cars that use part numbers 992845011Q, 992845011AN, 992845011S, 992845011AM, 992845011BL, 992845011DB, 992845047DY, 992845047FY |
| 11008657 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.040. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11008637 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.032. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11008636 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.030. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11008635 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the booster - 7PP035223M, 7PP035223AA, 99164548000. Vehicles affected are cars that use the part numbers listed. |
| 11008624 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.025 |
| 11008603 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the windscreen. The cars involved are cars that use the part numbers 992845011Q, 992845011AN, 992845011S, 992845011AM, 992845011BL, 992845011DB, 992845047DY, 992845047FY |
| 11008486 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.021 |
| 11008479 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the chain tensioner - 0PB109507D |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)