2002 Porsche Boxster: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Porsche Boxster: 2 recalls, 10 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #03V004000 · 2003 · 12,234 vehicles
What's 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #22V656000 · 2022 · 222,858 vehicles
What's 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…
Why it matters: Improperly adjusted headlights May not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (2): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Body & structure (2): the most common themes are leaks (2).
The 2002 Porsche Boxster has 10 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 14 Boxster model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 12). Complaints peaked in 2010 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 37,600 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (13 complaints, 2 recalls), 2003 (12 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Porsche Boxster.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Porsche Boxster have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Porsche Boxster, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Porsche Boxster problems?
Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (3), transmission & drivetrain (2), electrical (2).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Porsche Boxster get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (2.7 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Porsche Boxster repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.