There are 3 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2002 Porsche Boxsterin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
IMS ENGINE FAILURE. KNOWN ISSUES WITH PORSCHE. PORSCHE BOXSTER 49,500 MILES. PLACE CAR IN REVERES, ENGINE SEIZED. REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE NECESSARY. $8000- $15,000. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN TOWN, AND THE CAR STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (PORSCHE OF LANSING) WHO INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE (PREMATURELY, AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 37600MI). THE CAR WAS IN REPAIR FOR 7 WEEKS, AT A COST OF $7700. THE DAY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED, THE CAR MADE A LOUD TICKING NOISE AND THEN A V. LOUD SNAPPING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS TIME, THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A NEW (REMANUFACTURED) UNIT. I CONTACTED PORSCHE FOR GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE ORIGINAL PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. THEY DECLINED TO GIVE ANY SUPPORT BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED "MORE THAN 1 YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXPIRED" (THE DEALER CLAIMED THE IN-SERVICE DATE WAS 10/2001). HOWEVER, THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL SHOWS A STAMP FROM THE ORIGINAL PORSCHE DEALER, CLEARLY INDICATING THE IN-SERVICE DATE IS 2/27/2002. SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON 1/22/2007, THIS IS LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXPIRED...
ON TWO OCCASIONS AND ON TWO SEPARATE VEHICLE ENGINE CAMSHAFT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE AWARE OF PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026