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2013 Porsche Boxster problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Porsche Boxster has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 11owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 0fire reports
- 7%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Porsche Boxster year on file: 11 complaints, against an average of 2 for the other 3 model years.
Every Porsche Boxster model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Porsche Boxster?
The components named most often in the 11 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2013 Porsche Boxster been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train: Axle Assembly Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Boxster, 2013-2014 Boxster S, 2014-2015 Cayman, Cayman S, 2015 Boxster GTS, and Cayman GTS vehicles. The rear-axle carrier side sections may fracture.
Risk: A carrier fracture may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear-axle carrier side sections, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB7.
Is the 2013 Porsche Boxster recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSARear axle carrier side parts may not meet required specifications
Risk: The carrier side parts installed on the rear axle during a certain period may not meet the required specifications.
Fix: The left and right carrier side parts of the affected vehicles must be replaced.
EU Safety GateThe cradle side panels on the rear axle may be defective, which could result in the breakage of one of the two slots for the suspension…The cradle side panels on the rear axle may be defective, which could result in the breakage of one of the two slots for the suspension wishbones on the side panel of the cradle.This could impair the wheel control and result in a loss of control over the vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not meet the requirements set out in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 17/09/2021
How often does the 2013 Porsche Boxster fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2013, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2013 Porsche Boxster owners report?
11 of the 11 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
There is an open recall on my Porsche boxster, the Porsche recall number for this is AMC0. The recall involves reprogramming the car to reduce emissions in sport+ mode. My car has an aftermarket tune on the ECU, and the porsche dealership has told me that the recall is not possible due to this modification. If I want to get the recall done, they want me to pay to replace the ECU/DME. I also consented to and was charged for labor hours for the dealership to research any way to not replace the ecu and do this recall, but they found no method to do so. Are they legally allowed to refuse a recall…
2013 PORSCHE BOXTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-679. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, BUT THE DEALER DENIED HAVING THE PARTS.
2013 PORSCHE BOXTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH CONTROL ARM MOUNTS ON REAR SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 21V-679. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE.
2013 PORSCHE BOXSTER. CAR ROLLS WHEN STOPPED WITH TRANSMISSION IN 'PARK.' SIMILAR TO RECALLS OF PORSCHE CAYENNES AND PANAMERAS. MAY BE SIMILAR TO THE TRANSMISSION CONNECTION BUSHING PROBLEM THAT CAME LOOSE IN OTHER MODELS.
HORN STICKS LOUD AND REMAINS ON FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE. SUSPECT BRACKET HOLDING AIRBAG NEEDS NEW ISOLATION "O" RINGS WHICH, OVER TIME, ALLOW HORN TO TOUCH BRACKET COMPLETING HORN RELAY CIRCUIT. COULD CAUSE OTHER CARS TO SWERVE INTO TRAFFIC. SPECIFICALLY, I WAS STOPPED FOR A 4 WAY STOP SIGN, ANOTHER CAR APPROACHED AT SUCH A SPEED THAT I SAW SHE WAS GOING TO STOP AND SHE DIDN'T. I WATCHED HER BLOW BY AND GOT BEHIND HER AND BLEW THE HORN BUT THE HORN STAYED ON. THE LADY STOPPED AND I TOLD HER (SHE WAS A REALTOR GOING TO A SHOWING) SHE MISSED THE STOP. AS I WENT ON MY WAY THE HORN QUIT. TOTAL TIME…
MY 2013 BOXSTER IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR THE 7TH TIME DUE TO RODENT DAMAGE TO WIRING. PORSCHE USED A SOY BASED COMPOUND ON ITS WIRES WHICH IS EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE TO RODENTS. PORSCHE GERMANY AND PORSCHE NORTH AMERICA DENY THE USE OF THESE PRODUCTS. AN EMAIL YESTERDAY STATED "WE DO NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT INDICATES WE CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY USED A SOY BASED PRODUCT IN OUR WIRING". THE DAMAGE OCCURS IN OUR GARAGE WHICH IS NOT ENCLOSED. THIS DAMAGE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE 6/25/15.
IT LOST POWER BRAKES DURING MY DRIVING AT 45 MILES/HOUR. THE VEHICLE COULDN'T STOP MORE THAN 200 YARD BEFORE A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I ALMOST HIT INTO TRAFFIC WHICH RUNS AT 55 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR DROVE ABOUT 25000 MILES WHEN POWER BRAKES FAILED. PORSCHE SAID VEHICLE'S VACUUM PUMP BROKEN. THEY FIXED. I ASKED THEM WHAT IS LIFE FOR A VACUUM PUMP, THEY REJECTED TO ANSWER. I ASKED THEM WHY THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED, THEY SAID IT WAS SCRAPPED, THEY DON'T KNOW. I ASKED THEM HOW THEY ARE SURE THE NEW ONE WOULD BE GOOD. THEY TOLD ME THAT IS WHY THEY PROVIDED 4 YEARS WARRANTY/50000 MILES WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM…
THE SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT IS THAT THE ELECTRONIC HAND BRAKE SYSTEM UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN THE CAR LOCKS DOWN ON THE ROAD AT AN INTERSECTION. IN 6 MONTHS THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR FOR 37 DAYS IN 2 DIFFERENT PORSCHE DEALERSHIPS. THE HAVE WORKED ON IT, BUT CAN FIND NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. DUE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE, I HAVE DISCONTINUED DRIVING THE CAR. I AM ENTERING ARBITRATION WITH PORSCHE IN MARCH, 2014. *TR
MY DASHBOARD READS FAULT OF THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND A YELLOW ENGINE APPEARS I CALLED PORSCHE OF RAMSEY NJ AS I HAVE NOT HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR THREE MONTHS YET AND WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THEY HAD BUCKWILD TOWING TOW MY VEHICLE TO THEIR LOCATION I AM EXTREMELY UPSET AND WANT RESTITUTION FROM THIS COMPANY I DON'T HAVE THE MILEAGE BUT I THINK ITS 5373 THE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME I TRIED TO START IT AND THIS IS WHAT APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD. *TR
I RENTED A 2013 PORSCHE BOXTER CONV. THEY DROPPED IT OFF TO ME AT STORE, DUE TO MY CAR BEING TOWED AWAY FROM BEING HIT. WAS QUICKLY SHOWN THE OUTSIDE TO VERIFY NO BODY OR WHEEL DAMAGE' FEW DAYS LATER, DRIVING RENTAL, I PULL UP BEHIND A PICK UP TRUCK ON THE COLDWATER CYN IN LOS ANGELES, (ONE WAY, EACH DIRECTION} TRAFFIC CAME TO A STANDSTILL, AND THEN MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, TACHOMETER WENT TO ZERO. ODD, AND AS I WAS REACHING FOR KEY TO RESTART, I GENTLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND WOW, CAR COMES ALIVE AND LURCHES INTO TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. NOW DAMAGE TO CAR CAN BE REPAIRED, BUT IF I HAD…
ON THE 2013 BOXSTER THE TAILPIPE CAN BURN YOUR LEG IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFULLY WHEN YOU GO TO OPEN THE REAR TRUNK. IT MY VIEW THAT THE TAILPIPE EXTEND TO LONG FROM THE BUMPER OF THE CAR AND THEREFORE, WHEN SOMEONE GOES TO OPEN THE TRUNK YOUR LEG WILL TOUCH THE TAILPIPE. MY WIFE WAS BURN ON HER LEG FROM THE TAILPIPE. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO NORTH AMERICA PORSCHE. I GOT THE FEELING FROM THE SENIOR REP THAT IT HAPPEN AND SO WHAT. I SOMEONE CAN TAKE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
2013 Porsche Boxster: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Porsche Boxster reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Porsche Boxster; the most common categories were engine (3, 27.3%), power train (2, 18.2%), service brakes (2, 18.2%). There is 1 safety recall. 1 complaint mentions a crash.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Porsche Boxster?
Across 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (27.3% of complaints), power train (18.2% of complaints), service brakes (18.2% of complaints), structure (18.2% of complaints), suspension (18.2% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Porsche Boxster have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2013 Porsche Boxster; the most recent (campaign 21V679000, 2021-09-01) concerns Power Train: Axle Assembly. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own Boxster
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2013 only; combines NHTSA's entries for BOXSTER and BOXSTER S.