Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Porsche Boxster, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Steering1
- Engine1
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 2004 Porsche Boxster failed the safety check 0.88% of the time — 60% less often than the average 2004 passenger car (2.21%). Median odometer at inspection: 56,963 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2004 Porsche Boxster cars on Dutch roads are the 2.7 petrol (168 kW, 225 hp) and 3.2 petrol (191 kW, 256 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.7 petrol | 168 kW 225 hp | 51 |
| 3.2 petrol | 191 kW 256 hp | 40 |
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
126 first registered in 2004 are on Dutch roads; 79% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €83,182.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde60
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld25
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm23
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)14
- Band onvoldoende profiel14
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht13
- Band beschadigd13
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen10
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,480 cars built in 2004 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 856 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, 2,128 of these cars first registered in 2004 took their annual MOT test. 74% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2004 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.9% | 21.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.1% | 7.5% |
| Brakes | 6.5% | 13.8% |
| Suspension | 6.5% | 17.2% |
| Tyres | 3.3% | 6.7% |
| Visibility | 3.2% | 7.7% |
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
10 of these cars first registered in 2004 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 141,000 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
36 2004 cars are on the New Zealand register; 28% arrived as used imports, 72% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2004 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… |
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."
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 2004 Porsche Boxster: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 11008661 | Manufacturers certificate with an overview on approved Porsche C30 engine oils. See attached for list of affected vehicles. All MY04-20 |
| 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 |
| 11008476 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.020 |
| 11008473 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the seat frame - 992885456CY |
| 11008470 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.015 |
| 11008454 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the booster - 7PP035223M, 7PP035223AA, and 99164548000 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)