Owners have filed 35 complaints
about the 1999 Porsche Boxster with NHTSA between 1999 and 2012.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 73
Against the median year of the Porsche Boxster. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 29
5.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 72
42% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1999 compares with every other Porsche Boxster
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
15.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
526.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
315.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
631.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
15.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
315.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 1999peak 3Jan 2012
Recalls on the 1999 Porsche Boxster
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
09E025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
03V004000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Risk: 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2003009415 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles equipped with a Tiptronic transmission. The automatic transmission lever cable may be incorrectly adjusted. It may be possible to shift the transmission out of park after the ignition key has been removed from the ignition. Correction: Dealer will adjust cable.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SAN Francisco, CACrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
POTENTIAL FATALITY / SEVERE INJURY - ROLL BAR IS LOCATED TOO FAR FORWARD AND DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PADDING FOR DRIVERS OVER 5' 10" TALL. A RELATIVELY MINOR ACCIDENT CAN EASILY BECOME A FATALITY AS A TALLER DRIVER'S HEAD WILL IMPACT THE ROLL BAR INSTEAD OF THE HEADREST. A RETROFIT PROVIDING ADDITIONAL PADDING IS NECESSARY.
NHTSA complaint #705920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 127,000 milesKissimmee, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MISFIRES DURING WARM UP, AFTER WARM UP THE ENGINE RUNS SMOOTH WITH HIGH RPM OF 1200 TO 1300. I HAVE TO TAP THE ACCELERATOR PAD TO LOWER THE RPM,AFTER COUPLE OF SECONDS THE RPM GOES BACK UP. WHEN IT REACHES 190 DEGREES RPM GOES HIGHER TO ALMOST 1500, TEMPERATURE GOES TO 210 DEGREES FAN TURNS ON FROM THE RADIATOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, FAN ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SOMETIMES TURNS ON AND SOMETIMES NOT . THEN THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING AT 210 DEGREES, START UP BUT WON'T RUN. YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE TEMPERATURE TO DROP DOWN TO 160 DEGREES, SOMETIMES ALL THE WAY DOWN. START IT UP THEN THE ENGINE RUNS.
NHTSA complaint #10443249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesKissimmee, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MISFIRES DURING WARM UP, AFTER WARM UP THE ENGINE RUNS SMOOTH WITH HIGH RPM OF 1200 TO 1300. I HAVE TO TAP THE ACCELERATOR PAD TO LOWER THE RPM,AFTER COUPLE OF SECONDS THE RPM GOES BACK UP. WHEN IT REACHES 190 DEGREES RPM GOES HIGHER TO ALMOST 1500, TEMPERATURE GOES TO 210 DEGREES FAN TURNS ON FROM THE RADIATOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, FAN ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SOMETIMES TURNS ON AND SOMETIMES NOT . THEN THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING AT 210 DEGREES, START UP BUT WON'T RUN. YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE TEMPERATURE TO DROP DOWN TO 160 DEGREES, SOMETIMES ALL THE WAY DOWN. START IT UP THEN THE ENGINE RUNS.
NHTSA complaint #10443249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,011 milesWestminster, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS LOW-MILEAGE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT FREEWAY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS CRUISING ON LEVEL FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WHITE SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE FACILITY. AFTER COMPLETE DISASSEMBLY IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT REBUILD-ABLE DUE TO A SLIPPED CYLINDER SLEEVE WHICH RESULTED IN PISTON, CYLINDER HEAD AND BLOCK DAMAGE. DETAILED PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10423403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesRancho Palos Verdes, CA
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE PROBLEM IS IN A SENSOR IN THE SEATBELT. EACH TIME IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND PORSCHE WANTS ME TO SPEND $550 TO REPLACE THE UNIT WITH THE FOURTH SENSOR. I HAVE DECLINED TO DO THIS AS THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY THE NEW UNIT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS CAR ACCORDING TO SERVICEMEN AND THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN TO PORSCHE WITHOUT RESPONSE.
NHTSA complaint #10381055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesRancho Palos Verdes, CA
EQUIPMENT
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE PROBLEM IS IN A SENSOR IN THE SEATBELT. EACH TIME IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND PORSCHE WANTS ME TO SPEND $550 TO REPLACE THE UNIT WITH THE FOURTH SENSOR. I HAVE DECLINED TO DO THIS AS THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY THE NEW UNIT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS CAR ACCORDING TO SERVICEMEN AND THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN TO PORSCHE WITHOUT RESPONSE.
NHTSA complaint #10381055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesLeeesburg, VA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PORSCHE BOXTER AIRBAG ( SRS) MALFUNCTION. SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT. MONDAY, OCT.11 2010 APPROX. 2:00. VEHICLE HAD BEEN UNUSED FOR 4 WEEKS. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEH. BATTERY WAS ALMOST DEAD. NO ACTION FROM STARTER. VEH ALARM SOUNDED. ALARM REMAINED BLARING UNLESS KEY WAS IN #1 POSITION. I WENT INTO MY HOUSE ( TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. ) I HEARD A LOUD " BANG " . UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR I SAW THAT THE LEFT (DRIVERS) AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED. I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR FROM THE AIRBAG WAS NOT PLEASANT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10360051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesMiami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PORSCHE BOXSTER. THE CONTACT HAD MASSIVE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND THE CRANK SHAFT BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #10308956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesNorthville, MI
AIR BAGS
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 FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COME ON. PORSCHE SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM IN ORDER CLEAR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10239526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,353 milesKennett Square, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IT'S WELL DOCUMENTED THAT EARLY PRODUCTION PORSCHE BOXSTERS HAD A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ENGINE FAILURES DUE TO CRACKED OR SLIPPED CYLINDER LINERS. THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL BUT PORSCHE DID REPLACE FAILED ENGINES UNDER WARRANTY. PORSCHE HAS NOT DIVULGED EXACTLY HOW MANY ENGINES THIS ACTUALLY OCCURRED IN OTHER THAN A BROAD RANGE OF 2.5 ENGINES IN LATE 1998-EARLY 1999. NOR HAVE THEY RELEASED ANY ENGINE NUMBERS THAT HAVE HAD SLEEVES INSTALLED. I PURCHASED MY CAR 2 WEEKS AGO FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 69K MILES AND FULL MAIN DEALER SERVICE HISTORY. THE ENGINE HAS NOW FAILED DUE TO A SLIPPED CYLINDER LINER. THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN RACED OR OVER-REVVED. I'M LOOKING AT A POSSIBLE $8 - $13K REPAIR BILL FOR A REPLACEMENT/REBUILT ENGINE. FORTUNATELY THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILST IN A CAR PARK. HAD IT DONE SO WHILST DRIVING ON THE BUSY INTERSTATE, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BOXSTER, PORSCHE TEAMED UP WITH KOLBENSCHMIDT TO MANUFACTURE THEIR NEW WATER-COOLED ENGINE. THE CASES EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES STARTING WITH THEIR POROSITY. IN 1998 KOLBENSCHMIDT'S CASTING MACHINE WAS DAMAGED. THIS LEAD TO LINER FAILURES IN LATE 1998 TO EARLY 1999. THIS WOULD TRANSLATE INTO ONLY THE 1999 MODEL YEAR DUE TO PRODUCTION DATES. THE TIME REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE MACHINE COULD HAVE SLOWED BOXSTER PRODUCTION DOWN SEVERELY UNLESS A FIX WAS FOUND. THE SOLUTION WAS TO RELINE SOME NOT-QUITE-PERFECT BLOCKS THAT WERE ON HAND. MOST OF THESE BLOCKS HAD A CASTING DEFECT OR A POROSITY PROBLEM IN AT LEAST ONE CYLINDER. KOLBENSCHMIDT BEGAN THE PROCESS OF THE REPAIRS UNTIL THE CASTING MACHINE WAS FIXED. THIS PROCESS STARTED BY BORING OUT THE FAILED CYLINDER TO ALLOW FOR THE INSERTION OF THE LINER.
NHTSA complaint #10230492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesBohemia, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
AIRBAG WARNING LAMP STAYING ON DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED SENSOR SYSTEM THAT RELIES ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND GROUNDING SYSTEM ELECTRICAL RESISTANCES BEING INCREDIBLY STABLE OVER TIME. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY REDESIGNED SEAT BELT RECEPTACLES AND REPLACING WIRES. IF YOU DON'T FIX THIS PROBLEM, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW IF YOU HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU WANT TO CLEAR THIS LAMP INDICATION, YOU MUST SHELL OUT $500 TO $1500 TO DO SO. HOW DOES PORSCHE HAVE THE NERVE TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THEIR PART WHICH LEADS TO AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF NOT CORRECTED. MY INCIDENT IS FAR FROM AN ISOLATED ONE. I'VE CHECKED OUT OTHER COMPLAINTS VIA THE INTERNET.
NHTSA complaint #10178448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesBohemia, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
AIRBAG WARNING LAMP STAYING ON DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED SENSOR SYSTEM THAT RELIES ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND GROUNDING SYSTEM ELECTRICAL RESISTANCES BEING INCREDIBLY STABLE OVER TIME. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY REDESIGNED SEAT BELT RECEPTACLES AND REPLACING WIRES. IF YOU DON'T FIX THIS PROBLEM, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW IF YOU HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU WANT TO CLEAR THIS LAMP INDICATION, YOU MUST SHELL OUT $500 TO $1500 TO DO SO. HOW DOES PORSCHE HAVE THE NERVE TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THEIR PART WHICH LEADS TO AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF NOT CORRECTED. MY INCIDENT IS FAR FROM AN ISOLATED ONE. I'VE CHECKED OUT OTHER COMPLAINTS VIA THE INTERNET.
NHTSA complaint #10178448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesBohemia, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIRBAG WARNING LAMP STAYING ON DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED SENSOR SYSTEM THAT RELIES ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND GROUNDING SYSTEM ELECTRICAL RESISTANCES BEING INCREDIBLY STABLE OVER TIME. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY REDESIGNED SEAT BELT RECEPTACLES AND REPLACING WIRES. IF YOU DON'T FIX THIS PROBLEM, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW IF YOU HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU WANT TO CLEAR THIS LAMP INDICATION, YOU MUST SHELL OUT $500 TO $1500 TO DO SO. HOW DOES PORSCHE HAVE THE NERVE TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THEIR PART WHICH LEADS TO AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF NOT CORRECTED. MY INCIDENT IS FAR FROM AN ISOLATED ONE. I'VE CHECKED OUT OTHER COMPLAINTS VIA THE INTERNET.
NHTSA complaint #10178448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,911 milesChatham, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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 WHAT THE PROBLEM WITHOUT DISASSEMBLING THE ENGINE. I DID NOT ASK THEM TO DO THIS.). I REPLACED THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10164077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, OH
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 BULLETINS ISSUED ON THIS DEFECT. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS AS IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON, KNOWN DEFECT WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON THE CAR ?
NHTSA complaint #10155418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 BULLETINS ISSUED ON THIS DEFECT. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS AS IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON, KNOWN DEFECT WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON THE CAR ?
NHTSA complaint #10155418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,876 milesBronx, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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 BELTS WOULDN'T RETRACT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS AND THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY AGAIN. NOW THE SEAT BELT IS INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10155062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesMarblehead, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 1999 BOXSTER. AT 9500 MILES THE ENGINE BLEW UP. IRA MOTORS IN DANVERS REPLACED IT WITH A REBUILT ENGINE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE THEN BUT IT HAS BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. MY CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED IN WINTER AND HAS ONLY 25,000 MILES ON THE NEW MOTOR. IN MID OCT. OF THIS YEAR MY CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH WHEN STARTED IN THE MORNING. IT WAS DUE FOR IT'S 30,000 MI CHECK UP SOON SO I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER. I SPENT $1000 FOR THE CHECK UP AND TWO DAYS LATER PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH AGAIN. COUGHING, CHOKING AND STALLING OUT. I LEFT THE CAR THERE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND WHEN THE WEATHER GOT COLDER IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE SERVICE DEPT. TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT THEY HAD SEVERAL CARS UP TO 2005 MODELS DOING THE SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A WINTER FUEL ADDITIVE IN THE NORTHEAST THAT DOESN'T GET ALONG WITH PORSCHE BOXSTERS. MY OTHER CARS RUN FINE ON THE SAME FUEL. MEANWHILE WHAT AM I TO DO WITH A CAR THAT WON'T START IN THE WINTER. I CANNOT SELL IT THIS WAY AND IRA PORSCHE OF DANVERS, MA SAID THEY CANNOT FIX IT. I HAVE BEEN ON LINE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW CAN YOU HELP ME? SHOULD I ONLY DRIVE THE CAR IN SUMMER IN CALIFORNIA? PATRICIA COHEN.
NHTSA complaint #10144019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temple City, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
I HAVE A 1999 PORSCHE BOXSTER THAT HAD NO PROBLEMS CONCERNING SAFETY, AIRBAG OR THE SEAT BELTS OF THE CAR UNTIL THE AIR BAG LIGHT MYSTERIOUSLY TURNED ON. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DECODED THE CODE TO FIND THE PROBLEM IS A SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT THAT IS FAULTY, BUT THE AIR BAG WAS STILL WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALER (RUSNAK PORSCHE OF PASADENA) ADMITTED THIS WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THE PROBLEM IS COMMON, BUT WAS NOT COVERED SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE FOUND THIS PROBLEM IS VERY PREVALENT IN PORSCHES, AS IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED MANY TIMES ON A MAIN PORSCHE MESSAGE BOARD (WWW.PPBB.COM). ALSO, THE PROBLEM HAS ITS OWN WEBSITE WITH HOW TO DEAL WITH IT, BUT THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART EVEN THOUGH IT IS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ESKLUT/AIRBAG.HTML IF NECESSARY I WILL COLLECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR A SET AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM COVERED BY WARRANTY OR NOT. BILL WOJDAK.
NHTSA complaint #10134376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesCumming, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
LEAKING COOLANT TANK. THE COOLANT TANK ON THIS VEHICLE HAS FAILED IN NUMEROUS CARS RESULTING IN EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. MANY OWNERS I HAVE CONTACTED HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TANK FAILURE. I BELIEVE PORSCHE SHOULD FIX THESE CARS UNDER A RECALL. THIS IS CLEAR CASE OF A DESIGN DEFICENCY WHICH WILL LEAD TO OVERHEATING AND FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. IF THIS HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC, THE OPERATER COULD BE INJURED OR KILLED. THE TANK MUST BE REPLACED WITH AN UPDATED PART FROM PORSCHE THAT HAS HAD THE MATERIAL CHANGED.
NHTSA complaint #10082740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesToronto, 00
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE AT THE CAR WASH THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF THE FACILITY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10075662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesBrandon, FL
AIR BAGS
I HAVE HAD A REOCCURING AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON, THE DEALER HAS HAD IT ON 5 OCCASIONS, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS ONS 4 OCCASIONS. I THOUGHT THAT THE DEALER HAD IT REPAIRED IN JANUARY OF 2003, THEN IT CAME BACK ON AGAIN IN JAN OF 2004. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE REPAIR IS THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THEM 3 TIMES, I DONT KNOW WHAT THE PREVOIUS REPAIRS WERE PRIOR TO MY OWNING THE VEHICLE. THIS TIME WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND I WAS GIVEN A GOODWILL BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR 50% OF THE REPAIR BILL. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN A YEAR WHEN THIS COMES ON AGAIN? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE OF THIS? THE THING THAT STIKES ME THE MOST IS THAT THE DEALER HAS HAD THE PARTS IN STOCK EVERY TIME AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, SHOULD THERE NT BE A SAFETY RECALL IF THIS IS THE CASE?
NHTSA complaint #10056664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,500 milesCocoa Beach, FL
TIRES:SIDEWALL
I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 S IN MIAMI. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE, THEN I FELT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE GIVE OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE TIRE. THE TREAD PORTION OF THE TIRE ON THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM THE BEAD AROUND THE RIM. THE TIRE IS A KUMHO ECSTA 712, SIZE 205/50ZR17 89W ,DOT YOLJ YAN (2101).
NHTSA complaint #10030858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE SERVICED BECAUSE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND TRIED ON 8 DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO SERVICE PROBLEM . HOWEVER, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8011483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marblehead, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE, THE ENGINE SIEZED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #557952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Dora, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
FUEL/EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE CAR WITH ENGINE COLD, RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER. MJS
NHTSA complaint #550045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.