The 1997 Porsche Boxster has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 16,189 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN03V0040002003-01-2312,234 affected
Defect
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…
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…
POWER TRAIN98V1120001998-05-22738 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE BEARING SLEEVES CAN SEIZE IN THE INTERMEDIATE SELECTOR LEVERS.
Consequence
THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MOVE RESULTING IN FAILURE TO ACTIVATE THE SELECTOR LEVER.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED BEARING SLEEVES OF THE LEVER WITH BEARING SLEEVES OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN CRACK AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAILURES.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEATER BLOWER, HEADLAMPS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TYPE IGNITION SWITCH.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
3
SEAT BELTS
3
POWER TRAIN
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
Total complaints30
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. While attempting to engage in park gear, the shifter became very difficult to move out of the drive position. The vehicle was towed to an unknown independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission selector seized and the selector leveler…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated that the gear shift failed to shift into the park position. As a result, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear into neutral in order to start the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the gear…”
“I took my 1997 porsche boxster to my porsche service dealer in cincinnati, ohio with a seat belt warning light on. A diagnosis was done and code received, to the effect that my seat belts needed replacing, both driver and passenger, due to a electrical short in the seat belt warning/air bag…”
“I took my 1997 porsche boxster to my porsche service dealer in cincinnati, ohio with a seat belt warning light on. A diagnosis was done and code received, to the effect that my seat belts needed replacing, both driver and passenger, due to a electrical short in the seat belt warning/air bag…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated that the air bag light sporadically illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the seat belt buckles, harness and control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated that the air bag light sporadically illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the seat belt buckles, harness and control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 porsche boxster. The contact stated the ignition switch was cracked and causing electrical failures to the air conditioner, wipers and head lights. The contact notices a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 98v113000 (electrical system:ignition:switch) but was advised…”
“Purchased a 1997 porsche boxster approx 1 month ago. Went to start the vehicle and the battery was dead. Charged up the batter and noticed that when the vehicle is turned on there was no air conditioning, windshield wipers didn't work. When the vehicle is turned off, the dash lights remained on…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Porsche Boxster as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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