2001 Porsche Boxster s problems

General information about Porsche-Boxster s
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Porsche Boxster and Cayman are mid-engine two-seater sports cars manufactured and marketed by German automobile manufacturer Porsche across four generations—as a two-door, two-seater roadster (Boxster) and a three-door, two-seater fastback coupé (Cayman).

The first generation Boxster was introduced in 1996; the second generation Boxster and the Cayman arrived in late 2005; and the third generation launched in 2012. Since the introduction of the fourth generation in 2016, the two models have been marketed as the Porsche 718 Boxster and Porsche 718 Cayman.

The nameplate Boxster is a portmanteau of boxer, a reference to its flat or boxer engine, and roadster, a reference to the body style. The nameplate Cayman is an alternative spelling of caiman, a member of the alligator family.

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Common 2001 Porsche Boxster s problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Porsche Boxster S 2001, several common problems have been reported:

IMS Bearing Failure: One of the most significant issues with the Porsche Boxster S 2001 is the potential failure of the Intermediate Shaft (IMS) bearing. This problem can lead to engine failure, which is a serious and costly issue to repair. Owners have reported instances where this failure occurred unexpectedly, causing severe damage to the engine.
Rear Main Seal Oil Leak: Another common problem reported by owners is an oil leak from the rear main seal. This leak can be particularly destructive if not addressed promptly, as it can lead to clutch damage in manual cars. Owners have highlighted the importance of addressing this issue promptly to prevent further damage to the vehicle.
Electrical Issues: Electrical problems have also been a concern for owners of the Porsche Boxster S 2001. These issues can manifest in various ways, affecting the car's performance and reliability. Owners have reported instances of electrical failures leading to issues such as engine hesitation, stalling, and idling problems.
Check Engine Light & Misfires: Owners have experienced issues with the Check Engine Light coming on, often accompanied by engine misfires. These misfires can cause the engine to run rough or lack power, impacting the overall performance of the vehicle. Common causes of misfires include worn spark plugs, cracks in ignition coils, and oil leaking past the spark plug tube seals.
Suspension Problems: Some owners have complained about suspension issues with the Porsche Boxster S 2001. Problems with the suspension can affect the car's handling and ride comfort, leading to a less enjoyable driving experience. Addressing suspension problems promptly is crucial to maintain the vehicle's performance and safety.

These common problems reported by owners of the Porsche Boxster S 2001 highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues that arise. By staying informed about these potential problems, owners can take proactive steps to address them and ensure the longevity and reliability of their vehicles.

What is the biggest problem with Porsche Boxster?

The most common problems with Porsche Boxsters first and second generations are:

Engine Block Porosity.
Cylinder Head Cracks.
Cylinder Lining Cracks.
Rod Bolt Failure.
IMS Bearing Failures.
Chain Tensioner Failure.
Variocam Solenoids Failure.
Leaks in the Rear Main Seal.

Is Porsche Boxster high maintenance?

The annual maintenance cost of a Porsche Boxster is $952. Repair and maintenance costs vary depending on age, mileage, location and shop.

How reliable are old Porsche Boxster?

That being said, aside from the IMS Bearing and RMS issues, Boxsters are extremely reliable cars when it comes down to it. Don't let those potential issues put you off enjoying such a fantastic Porsche experience.

Which Boxster year is best?

If you're wanting the best of the best, most people recommend the 2012 Porsche Boxster as the #1 pick. You can likely choose any of the 987 model, which ranged from the 2005-2012 time range, with 2009-2012 being the best. This second-generation model really brought the vehicle into the spotlight.

2001 Porsche Boxster s car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Porsche Boxster s problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Electrical system problems
Fuel system problems
Other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2001 Porsche Boxster s vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2001 Porsche Boxster s complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2001 Porsche Boxster s.

2008-08-18

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2008-08-14
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PORSCHE BOXSTER S. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE IGNITION MODULE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000.

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2003-09-24

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2003-09-18
Fire: 1
VIN: WP0CB29841U
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Summary: WAS DRIVING A 2001 PORSCHE BOXSTER WHEN LOST COMPLETE POWER. CAR TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED THAT MY AIR INTAKE HAD BEEN SUCKING UP CIGARETTES AND CAUSING A SERIES OF SMALL FIRES IN MY CAR. AIR INTAKE HAS NO SCREEN TO PROTECT THINGS FROM GETTING IN -- JUST A PAPER AIR FILTER WHICH CAN BURN IF A CIGARETTE BECOMES STUCK ON THE FILTER. WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BUT DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR HAS HEARD OF IT.

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2001 Porsche Boxster s recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2001 Porsche Boxster s.

2022-08-30

Manufacturer: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: 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."
Consequence: 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.

2003-01-23

Manufacturer: PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2001 Porsche Boxster s problems:

What are the risks: 2001 Porsche Boxster | Planet-9 Porsche Forum

https://www.planet-9.com/threads/what-are-the-risks-2001-porsche-boxster.19772/

Jan 29, 2008 ... There were two major problems with the early Boxsters. The first was the Rear Main Seal (RMS) failure which took up to the Cayman introduction ...

2001 Boxster.....what to look for? - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion ...

https://rennlist.com/forums/boxster-and-boxster-s-986-forum/757765-2001-boxster-what-to-look-for.html

May 24, 2013 ... Check for grease leaking from CV joint boots or clamps. That's pretty common at the age/milage and is another lengthy job. Motor and trans ...

2001 Boxster S with 2 annoying issues. - 986 Forum - The ...

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/67390-2001-boxster-s-2-annoying-issues.html

Jun 27, 2017 ... I've just bought a 2001 Boxster S, 3.2L 6 speed manual. First annoyance, the factory CDR-220 stereo has only the right hand channel working.

2001 Porsche Boxster Problems and Complaints - 42 Issues

https://repairpal.com/2001-porsche-boxster/problems

Top 2001 Porsche Boxster Problems · Various Faults Due to Intenal Leak at the Oil Seperator · Power Windows Won't Lower Due to Failing Cabriolet Top/Door Handle ...