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2002 Porsche Boxster problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Porsche Boxster is engine and cooling. Its complaint count is close to a typical Boxster model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
67/100
Owner complaints
10
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
376
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18-20mpg

The worst 2002 Porsche Boxster problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Brakes
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 2

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported August 30, 2022 · 222,858 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1‑800‑767‑7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.

Recall number 22V656000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported January 23, 2003 · 12,234 vehicles affected
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

See all 2 recalls for the 2002 Porsche Boxster

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Porsche Boxster 376

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 376 bulletins for the 2002 Porsche Boxster

2002 Porsche Boxster fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.7L 6‑cylRWD16-1723-2518-20
3.2L 6‑cylRWD15-162318

What 2002 Porsche Boxster owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 13, 2012 · Transmission · 69,554 miles · CT

2002 porche boxster. Consumer writes in regards to complaint concerning vehicle parts *tgw the consumer stated the cables from the shifter to the transmission failed while driving in heavy traffic.

Filed Apr 8, 2012 · Seat belts · 80,000 miles · AR

The seat belt on my vehicle, when buckled, has a tendency to not latch completely and allows for the release without pressing the release button. Also when it is latched, there is a tendency for it to get caught and not release without significant pulling force on the buckle.

Filed Apr 7, 2011 · Engine · 49,500 miles · FL

Ims engine failure. Known issues with porsche. Porsche boxster 49,500 miles. Place car in reveres, engine seized. Replacement of engine necessary. $8000- $15,000.

Filed Mar 16, 2010 · Body, Electrical · 70,000 miles · MD

See odi case number: 10318487, computer failure due to water leakage into cab. This happened to me twice in fall, 2008. The first time, the dealer replaced the computer (at my cost) and one month later, it happened again. Again, the computer was replaced and the carpets needed removal and cleaning due to fungus, all at my cost.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Body, Electrical · 33,000 miles · CA

We own a 2002 porsche boxster with approximately 66,000 miles. We purchased the vehicle, used, in late 2003. On three separate occasions we have experienced total loss of use of the vehicle due to water leaking into the interior compartment and flooding the control unit, rendering the car totally inoperable. The incidents have taken place in october, 2004 at 33,000 miles, april, 2008 at 61,000 miles, and currently in february, 2010. The repair has initialed replacing the control unit and having to pull out the carpet so as to inhibit mold growth. The first incident was repaired under the vehicle's warranty, the second time was repaired at our expense of approx. $1,600. The estimate for this current repair is $1,500. We believe this poses a severe safety risk because the first incident took place while the car was in use. We were driving up a hill. Suddenly the vehicle became inoperable and we had to maneuver the car using the handbrake, to reverse down the hill. The car had to be towed to the dealer. We have investigated the problem on the internet and found that this is a common problem with certain porsche's vehicles. There is a defect in the vehicle and/or the restrictive filters that cause them to become clogged with debris and cause the water leakage. In addition to this problem recurring domestically, we note that the federal safety agency, was informed via frcl-09f028-2453 dated april 5, 2009 of a similar problem in non-u.s. Markets. We would appreciate your investigating this defect.

Filed Mar 17, 2007 · Engine · 37,600 miles · MI

I was driving at low speeds in town, and the car stalled with the check engine light flashing. The car was towed to a local dealer (porsche of lansing) who indicated that the timing chain broke (prematurely, as the car only has 37600mi). The car was in repair for 7 weeks, at a cost of $7700. The day after the repair was finished, the car made a loud ticking noise and then a v. Loud snapping sound from the engine. The dealer indicated that the timing chain slipped causing catastrophic engine damage. This time, the dealer has agreed to replace the engine with a new (remanufactured) unit. I contacted porsche for good will assistance regarding the original premature engine failure. They declined to give any support because the failure occurred "more than 1 year after the original warranty expired" (the dealer claimed the in-service date was 10/2001). However, the maintenance manual shows a stamp from the original porsche dealer, clearly indicating the in-service date is 2/27/2002. Since the failure occurred on 1/22/2007, this is less than one year after the original warranty expired...

Filed Jun 14, 2005 · Brakes · 22,000 miles · VA · crash

Brakes suddenly loose pressure and car does not stop.

Filed Feb 5, 2004 · Transmission · 24,250 miles · LA

My clutch was making a terrible noise for a week after I initially purchased the car and then again about a week prior to the failure of the clutch. I only have 24000 miles on the clutch and it failed suddenly causing a burning cloud of smoke. I reported the problem initially to the porsche dealer in new orleans, crescent city motors, and they told me that noises were common and that it was not a problem. I feel this caused my clutch to burn up prematurely, however, they feel like there was no problem in the materials and workmanship. I have heard that there are problems with the throw out bearing in porsche boxsters and this is the part that was making the noise.

Filed Jan 15, 2003 · Tires · 7,000 miles · IA · crash

Original equipment tires on 2002 porsche boxter s are not safe on wet pavement. The type of tires are designed for clean dry pavement only. Very dangerous on wet pavement. No warning is provided to owner. Not disclosed to owner, tire manufacturer warns of use on other than clean dry pavement. Car hydroplanned during first rainstorm and caused serious accident on busy interstate highway. Tires had to be replaced.

Filed Jul 30, 2002 · Engine · FL · crash

On two occasions and on two separate vehicle engine camshaft failed while driving. Dealer and manufacturer were aware of problem. Feel free to provide any further information.

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Questions about the 2002 Porsche Boxster

Is the 2002 Porsche Boxster reliable?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2002 Porsche Boxster, close to a typical Boxster model year.

What is the 2002 Porsche Boxster year score?

The 2002 Porsche Boxster scores 67 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Porsche Boxster: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Porsche Boxster?

Engine and cooling, with 3 complaints. Next is body (2).

How many recalls does the 2002 Porsche Boxster have?

2 recalls, covering exterior lighting and power train.

What year does the Porsche Boxster have bad engine?

The Porsche Boxster model years with the most engine complaints are 1999 (16 complaints) and 2005 (11 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2002 Porsche Boxster get?

Official estimates for the 2002 Porsche Boxster range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.7L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16-17 city and 23-25 highway.

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