Reliable Auto DB

2013 Porsche Boxster reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2013 Porsche Boxster has 10 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 1 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 5 Boxster years on this site. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Axle assembly.

2012 Porsche Boxster
Photo by LouieRBLX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

10

Per year

1

Recalls

1

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (3 of 10), then Powertrain (2) and Structure (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Boxster has 1 complaint, 0 per year, and the 2014 has 2 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Porsche Boxster. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall powertrain, axle assembly 2021-09-01 · NHTSA campaign 21V679000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (10 total)

Engine
3
Powertrain
2
Structure
2
Suspension
2
Adaptive and mobility equipment
1
Service brakes
1
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

3201312016220171201932022
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2022-11-03
  • "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…"
    Suspension · filed 2022-06-08
  • "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…"
    Suspension · filed 2022-03-10
  • "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…"
    Powertrain · filed 2019-11-22
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2017-12-13

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Porsche Boxster C RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2013 Porsche Boxster S C RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Boxster 2.7L, 6-cyl Automatic (AM-S7) Rear-wheel drive 22 31 25 MPG $3200
Boxster 2.7L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 20 29 24 MPG $3300
Boxster S 3.4L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 20 27 22 MPG $3650
Boxster S 3.4L, 6-cyl Automatic (AM-S7) Rear-wheel drive 21 29 24 MPG $3300

Specs and fitment

981 generation, 2012–2016
Body styles Roadster
Oil 0W-40 or 5W-40 (verify label) , 7.9 qt capacity
Tire size 235/45R18, 235/40R19, 235/35R20, 265/45R18, 265/40R19, 265/35R20

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA recall 21V-679 covers certain 2013-2015 Boxster and 2014-2015 Cayman models whose rear-axle carrier side sections may fracture; Porsche replaces the rear-axle carrier as the remedy. Recall 13V-502 covers certain 2014 Boxster and Boxster and Cayman models whose front hood upper lock components may fail to securely latch the hood; Porsche replaces the lock components.

Compare

Next year 2014 Porsche Boxster See every Porsche Boxster model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Porsche Boxster reliable?

The 2013 Porsche Boxster has 10 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 1 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 5 Boxster years on this site. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Axle assembly.

What are common problems with a 2013 Porsche Boxster?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (3 of 10), then Powertrain (2) and Structure (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Is the 2013 Porsche Boxster more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Boxster has 1 complaint, 0 per year, and the 2014 has 2 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Porsche Boxster been recalled?

The 2013 Porsche Boxster has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Porsche Boxster?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2013 Porsche Boxster with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Porsche Boxster get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Porsche Boxster is 23.8 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US Porsche Boxster use?

0W-40 or 5W-40 (verify label) With filter, about 7.9 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US Porsche Boxster?

Published US specs commonly list front 235/45R18, 235/40R19, 235/35R20, 265/45R18, 265/40R19, 265/35R20 and rear 235/45R18, 235/40R19, 235/35R20, 265/45R18, 265/40R19, 265/35R20; confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Porsche Boxster?

NHTSA recall 21V-679 covers certain 2013-2015 Boxster and 2014-2015 Cayman models whose rear-axle carrier side sections may fracture; Porsche replaces the rear-axle carrier as the remedy. Recall 13V-502 covers certain 2014 Boxster and Boxster and Cayman models whose front hood upper lock components may fail to securely latch the hood; Porsche replaces the lock components.