1999 Porsche Boxster: engine failure

8 of the 28 complaints about the 1999 Porsche Boxster describe engine failure.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 29%
typical mileage: 42,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 34 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

2005
4
2004
2
2003
2
2002
2
2001
2
1999
8
1998
3
1997
1

What owners say

Filed Aug 29, 2011 · Engine · 14,011 miles · CA

This low-mileage vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure at freeway speed. The vehicle was cruising on level freeway when the engine lost power and white smoke began pouring out of the exhaust. The engine died and would not restart on the side of the freeway and was towed to a service facility. After complete disassembly it was determined that the engine was not rebuild-able due to a slipped cylinder sleeve which resulted in piston, cylinder head and block damage. Detailed photos are available.

Filed Feb 12, 2010 · Engine · 42,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 porsche boxster. The contact had massive engine failure while driving 20 MPH and the crank shaft broke. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and the engine was replaced. The manufacturer advised the contact that the warranty was not valid and that there were no recalls for the failure. Routine maintenance was performed on the vehicle prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.

Filed Jun 10, 2008 · Engine · 69,353 miles · PA

It's well documented that early production porsche boxsters had a significant number of engine failures due to cracked or slipped cylinder liners. There was never a recall but porsche did replace failed engines under warranty. Porsche has not divulged exactly how many engines this actually occurred in other than a broad range of 2.5 engines in late 1998-early 1999. Nor have they released any engine numbers that have had sleeves installed. I purchased my car 2 weeks ago from the original owner with 69k miles and full main dealer service history. The engine has now failed due to a slipped cylinder liner. The engine has not been raced or over-revved. I'm looking at a possible $8 - $13k repair bill for a replacement/rebuilt engine. Fortunately the engine seized whilst in a car park. Had it done so whilst driving on the busy interstate, the consequences could have been catastrophic. With the introduction of the boxster, porsche teamed up with kolbenschmidt to manufacture their new water-cooled engine. The cases experienced several issues starting with their porosity. In 1998 kolbenschmidt's casting machine was damaged. This lead to liner failures in late 1998 to early 1999. This would translate into only the 1999 model year due to production dates. The time required to repair the machine could have slowed boxster production down severely unless a fix was found. The solution was to reline some not-quite-perfect blocks that were on hand. Most of these blocks had a casting defect or a porosity problem in at least one cylinder. Kolbenschmidt began the process of the repairs until the casting machine was fixed. This process started by boring out the failed cylinder to allow for the insertion of the liner.

Filed Dec 15, 2006 · Engine · 50,911 miles · NJ

I had driven the car without incident to a store. When I tried to start the car later it would not start. It was determined by both an independent mechanic and a porsche dealer that the car had sustained catastrophic engine failure of an unknown origin. (they were not be able to determine exactly what the problem without disassembling the engine. I did not ask them to do this.). I replaced the engine.

Filed Nov 30, 2005 · Engine · 35,000 miles · MA

I have a 1999 boxster. At 9500 miles the engine blew up. Ira motors in danvers replaced it with a rebuilt engine. I have had numerous problems with this car since then but it has been under warranty. My car is always garaged in winter and has only 25,000 miles on the new motor. In mid oct. Of this year my car started running rough when started in the morning. It was due for it's 30,000 mi check up soon so I took it into the dealer. I spent $1000 for the check up and two days later picked it up and it was running rough again. Coughing, choking and stalling out. I left the car there. The dealer told me they couldn't duplicate the problem. I took the car home and when the weather got colder it happened again and again. I have taken it back to the dealer 4 times. The last time the service dept. Told me there was nothing they could do and that they had several cars up to 2005 models doing the same thing. They told me it was a winter fuel additive in the northeast that doesn't get along with porsche boxsters. My other cars run fine on the same fuel. Meanwhile what am I to do with a car that won't start in the winter. I cannot sell it this way and ira porsche of danvers, ma said they cannot fix it. I have been on line and found several other cars with the same problem. How can you help me? Should I only drive the car in summer in california? Patricia cohen.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Engine · 7,000 miles · 00

While at the car wash the consumer attempted to pull out of the facility and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who found that the engine had seized. The vehicle was out of warranty.

Filed Nov 27, 2000 · Engine · MA

The vehicle experienced premature engine failure, the engine siezed.

Filed Nov 11, 1999 · Engine · CA

Catasrophic engine failure in heavy traffic resulting in loss of breaks and very heavy steering. Had this happened on the free way the results could have been fatal. Further more many other porsche boxster owners have had the same problem. Engine replaced under warranty.