1989 Porsche Boxster problems

Common 1989 Porsche Boxster problems

The Porsche Boxster, introduced in 1996, was a significant model for Porsche, revitalizing the company's sales and becoming its biggest volume seller until the introduction of the Cayenne sport utility vehicle. However, like any other car, the Boxster has its share of common problems, particularly in its earlier years.

One of the most commonly reported issues in the 1997-2010 Porsche Boxsters is internal leakage at the oil separator.

The Rear Main Seal (RMS) is another common problem in the Boxster, particularly in the 986 models (1997-2004). Leaking RMS has caught the headlines on these engines, but there are various other issues that need to be kept in mind. All Boxsters are assessed using a laptop on the ECU for engine life comparison with mileage, system fault codes, and over-rev history.

Intermediate shaft bearing failure is another issue that appears to affect higher mileage cars (above 50K miles), but while perhaps 5% of cars have so far been affected, this issue gives little warning of failure.

The IMS (intermediate shaft) bearing failures and Rear Main Seals (RMS) issues are not guaranteed to occur in all models of this era, but if they do, complete engine failure is very likely, and the cost of repair will not be pretty.

Despite these issues, the Porsche Boxster is still a high-performing sports car that requires frequent maintenance and repairs. It has received a reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5 from RepairPal, indicating that it tends to break down frequently.

In summary, the Porsche Boxster, while a high-performing sports car, has its share of common problems, particularly in its earlier years. Internal leakage at the oil separator, engine failure due to bad components, Rear Main Seal leaks, and intermediate shaft bearing failures are some of the widely reported issues. However, with proper maintenance and regular inspections, these issues can be mitigated, and the Boxster can provide a reliable and enjoyable driving experience.

What is the main problem with the Porsche Boxster?

The two main issues the Boxster and 996 faced at the start of the 2000s were IMS (intermediate shaft) bearing failures and RMS (rear main seal) issues. Contrary to popular belief, both of these issues, although certainly prelevant in both models, were not a guaranteed issue in models of this era.

Are old Porsche Boxsters reliable?

The Porsche Boxster usually needs frequent major and unexpected repairs, according to RepairPal. It has a 2.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, ranking 12th out of 15 cars in the same category.

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.

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.

1989 Porsche Boxster car problems categorized by type of issue

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

• Air bags problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Porsche Boxster vehicle components and the number of complaints received.