There are 2 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2005 Porsche Boxsterin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PORSCHE BOXSTER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE IGNITION KEY WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED A CABLE ADJUSTMENT WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE KEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V004000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
PULLING AWAY FROM A GREEN LIGHT IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE STARTED TO UPSHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR MUCH SOONER THAN NORMAL AND THE CAR FELT DOWN ON POWER. THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WAS RUNNING ON FEWER THAN NORMAL CYLINDERS. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY & HAD IT TOWED TO A PORSCHE SPECIALIST. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS AN IMS (INTERMEDIATE SHAFT) BEARING FAILURE AND THAT IS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH M96 AND M97 PORSCHE ENGINES. MINE BEING AN M96 ENGINE. *TR
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 Apr 26, 2026