VehicleVerdict

1999 Porsche Boxster problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 35 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.0 times the median Boxster year — the 1999 model ranks #2 of 19 Boxster years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 46% of all reports (16 of 35), far ahead of airbags at 7.

35

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Boxster years?

Boxster NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted44 complaints1989: 1 complaints1997: 30 complaints1998: 44 complaints1999: 35 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 24 complaints2002: 12 complaints2003: 13 complaints2004: 4 complaints2005: 21 complaints2006: 7 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 13 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 7 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2024: 0 complaints
Boxster NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Boxster years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Porsche Boxster problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1646%
Airbags720%
Seat Belts39%
Electrical System39%
Other13%
Brakes13%
Speed Control13%
Body & Structure13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Transmission13%

Does the 1999 Porsche Boxster have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

03V004000TransmissionJanuary 23, 2003 · 12,234 units

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 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT TO A STORE. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR LATER IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS DETERMINED BY BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A PORSCHE DEALER THAT THE CAR HAD SUSTAINED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE OF AN UNKNOWN ORIGIN. (THEY WERE NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE EXACTLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 7, 2005

“AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON IN 1999 PORSCHE BOXSTER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND RECURRING PROBLEM WITH PORSCHE BOXSTERS. IT WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A SEAT BUCKLE PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE ISSUE IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 15, 2008

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ON THE FIRST INCIDENT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD COME UNLOCKED WHEN THE CHILD TUGGED ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SEAT BELT AND THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. ON 2-01-06 THE SEAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 10, 2006

“ I OWN A 1999 PORSCHE BOXSTER. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE CIRCUITRY BETWEEN THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AS THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL SERVICE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 29, 2005

“IN THE REVERSE POSITION BRAKES LOCK UP AND CAUSE THE REVERSE TO IDLE LOW. THEN THE IDLE RETURNS TO NORMAL. ALSO, COMING AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE SEEMS IT SEEMS AS IF VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND SHAKE, BUT DOES NOT ACTUALLY STALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 1, 1999

1999 Porsche Boxster — common questions

Is the 1999 Porsche Boxster reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 35 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 19 Boxster years. It is one of the Boxster years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Boxster problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (16 complaints), airbags (7 complaints), seat belts (3 complaints).

Does the 1999 Porsche Boxster have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Porsche Boxster. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Porsche Boxster years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Boxster years to avoid are 1998, 1999, 1997, 2017. The cleanest record among Boxster years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.