Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. While attempting to engage in park gear, the shifter became very difficult to move out of the drive position. The vehicle was towed to an unknown independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission selector seized and the selector leveler had to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer; however, porsche of westwood in westwood, massachusetts was contacted by phone. The vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 98v112000 (power train) several years ago. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
The worst 1997 Porsche Boxster problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags7
- Electrical7
- Transmission5
- Seat belts4
- Engine3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags7
- Electrical7
- Transmission5
- Seat belts4
- Engine3
- Acceleration1
- Lights1
Recalls 3
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the selector lever is then shifted from position "p" to position "r, n or d" with the vehicle parked, and if the parking brake is not on, the vheicle will not be secured from inadvertenly rolling away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the cable adjustment and, regardless of the results of this inspection, the key-lock-cable must also be adjusted. Owner notification began july 15, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact porsche at 1‑800‑545‑8039.
Recall number 03V004000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with tiptronic transmissions. The bearing sleeves can seize in the intermediate selector levers.
- Risk
- The transmission selector lever becomes increasingly difficult to move resulting in failure to activate the selector lever.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the affected bearing sleeves of the lever with bearing sleeves of an improved design.
Recall number 98V112000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The ignition switch can crack and cause electrical failures.
- Risk
- This condition can cause failure of the air conditioning, heater blower, headlamps, and windshield wipers.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new type ignition switch.
Recall number 98V113000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Porsche Boxster 170
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Special tools and equipment information for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, and Panamera
- Special tools and equipment information for brake caliper pins for the 911, Boxster, and Cayman
- Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.020
- Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.050 & .052
- Instructions on manufacturers certificate for approved C20 engine oils
- Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche C30 engine oils
- Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche A40 engine oils
- Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.040 & .041
- Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.035
- Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.030
1997 Porsche Boxster fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-17 | 22-24 | 17-20 |
What 1997 Porsche Boxster owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated that the gear shift failed to shift into the park position. As a result, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear into neutral in order to start the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the gear indicator displayed that the vehicle was in reverse while it was in parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer advised that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 98v112000 (power train). The failure mileage was 57,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated that the air bag light sporadically illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the seat belt buckles, harness and control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000. Updated 5/13/14*cn
I took my 1997 porsche boxster to my porsche service dealer in cincinnati, ohio with a seat belt warning light on. A diagnosis was done and code received, to the effect that my seat belts needed replacing, both driver and passenger, due to a electrical short in the seat belt warning/air bag system. The total repair ranges @ $1100, $500 parts + $600 labor. I have researched this problem with porsche boxsters going back to the late nineties up to today. Porsche north america has done some remedial work through dealers on this problem, but has not fully owned the potential safety issue with these electrical modules shorting out leaving drivers and passengers unprotected. Their arrogance in this matter is over the top for a supposedly "high end" line of vehicles. I have tried to work with them, volunteering to pay part of the expense. At this point, I would like to see some follow up on their "token" ownership of what could be a serious safety issue for thousands of owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated the ignition switch was cracked and causing electrical failures to the air conditioner, wipers and head lights. The contact notices a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 98v113000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) but was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer should extend the recall since the failure was a known safety defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Purchased a 1997 porsche boxster approx 1 month ago. Went to start the vehicle and the battery was dead. Charged up the batter and noticed that when the vehicle is turned on there was no air conditioning, windshield wipers didn't work. When the vehicle is turned off, the dash lights remained on along with the radio therefore causing the batter to die. Check on your website for any recalls for this defect. Noticed that there was a recall for this #98v‑113 dtd 22 may 1998 for this exact problem I'm having. There were 3,217 vehicles distributed in the us and 234 in canada with the VIN # of [xxx] to [xxx] manufactured from october 10, 1996 to may 5, 1997. The VIN on my vehicle is approx 100 numbers from the above listed numbers. [xxx]. I believe that porsche should be responsible for replacing either the complete steering lock with the ignition switch or replacing the ignition switch on with the new design whichever is deemed appropriate. Now porchse wants $430 to repair this. My VIN is extremely close to the ones which fall under this recall notice. Just wondering how it is that you determine which VIN are affected by this defect and which ones are not. Please respond at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time. [xxx]. *nm updated 07/12/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Dt: the contact's daughter was driving the vehicle and when she arrived home she alerted the contact that there was a milky substance in the oil. The vehicle was not driven again. It was then towed to the dealership. They wanted $14,000 to fix it, but did not tell her what was wrong with the vehicle. She then took it to another mechanic, for a second opinion. The mechanic, determined there was a casting flaw which caused the radiator fluid to leak into the engine . The vehicle has not yet been repaired.
Srs (airbag light) on due to faulty grounding in seatbelt switch. Porsche boxsters have an issue with it's airbag lights on due to a design flaw with the way porsche has grounded the switch on the seat belt harness. Porsche has subsequently released a technical service bulletin and parts update to address the issue, but fixes are done at owners expense. I believe that a recall should be in order to address this issue.
Dt: recall 98v113000. Was issued concerning ignition switch failure. Caller said her car had same failure as mentioned in recall. Dealer said this car was not included in recall. Manufacturer said this car was not under warranty , and not in the recall, and will offer no help. Also, another recall 98e005000. Concerning air bags was mentioned. Caller said they will not help her with this recall either. Caller has paid for problems that should be under these recalls.
Electrical system: ignition switch failure. The same failure as recall #w03 in 1998. Dealer replaced switch in 1999, ignition switch cracked and failed again 2005. I am told by porsche my vehicel is not covered under the recall.
Compare the 1997 Porsche Boxster
Other model years
Questions about the 1997 Porsche Boxster
Is the 1997 Porsche Boxster reliable?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 1997 Porsche Boxster, 2.2 times a typical Boxster model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Porsche Boxster?
Airbags, with 7 complaints. Next is electrical (7).
How many recalls does the 1997 Porsche Boxster have?
3 recalls, covering power train and electrical system.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Porsche Boxster get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Porsche Boxster range from 17 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15-17 city and 22-24 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Porsche Boxster?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history