1999 Porsche Boxster problems & reliability
28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Porsche Boxster, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1999 Porsche Boxster vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 16 | 57% |
| Air Bags | 7 | 25% |
| Electrical System | 3 | 11% |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 11% |
| Equipment | 1 | 4% |
| Power Train | 1 | 4% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 4% |
| Structure | 1 | 4% |
| Tires | 1 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Misfires during warm up, after warm up the engine runs smooth with high rpm of 1200 to 1300. I have to tap the accelerator pad to lower the rpm,after couple of seconds the rpm goes back up. When it reaches 190 degrees rpm goes higher to almost 1500, temperature goes to 210 degrees fan turns on from the radiator on the…”
Electrical System · filed Jan 10, 2012
“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…”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Aug 29, 2011
“The airbag light has come on for the third time. The problem is in a sensor in the seatbelt. Each time it is the same problem and porsche wants me to spend $550 to replace the unit with the fourth sensor. I have declined to do this as they will not warranty the new unit. This is a well known defect in this car…”
Air Bags · filed Feb 7, 2011
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
153 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1999 Porsche Boxster. The 10 most recent:
Special tools and equipment information for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, and Panamera
No. 2404 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 15, 2024
Special tools and equipment information for brake caliper pins for the 911, Boxster, and Cayman
No. 2403 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 14, 2024
Information for PIWIS tester update 42.500.020
PIWIS2401j · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 9, 2024
Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.050 & .052
PIWIS2302s · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 17, 2023
Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche A40 engine oils
No. 35-23 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 14, 2023
Instructions on manufactures certificate for approved Porsche C30 engine oils
No. 33-23 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 14, 2023
Instructions on manufacturers certificate for approved C20 engine oils
No. 32-23 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 14, 2023
Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.040 & .041
PIWIS2302r · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 10, 2023
Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.035
PIWIS2302q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 7, 2023
Information for PIWIS tester update 42.300.030 - .032
PIWIS2302p · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 3, 2023
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1999 Porsche Boxster has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1999 Porsche Boxster?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.