2004 Porsche Boxster recalls and problems

The 2004 Porsche Boxster has 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Porsche dealer.

Recalls
1
Complaints
4
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Porsche Boxster vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Porsche Boxster recalls

Recall 22V-656: Exterior Lighting

Reported Aug 30, 2022 · 222,858 vehicles affected · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Problem: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.

2004 Porsche Boxster problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine and Engine Cooling2
Steering1
Engine1
Fuel/Propulsion System1

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 32,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Porsche Boxster complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Aug 13, 2026
SUMMARY OF SAFETY DEFECT: Active, unmitigated toxic gasoline vapor leak inside the cabin of a 2004 Porsche Boxster, presenting an acute fire and toxic chemical exposure hazard upon filling the tank and starting the vehicle. DEALER & CORPORATE EVASION: Ignored Warnings: Dealership intake and repair orders (such as Frank's Automotive RO #XXX) logged raw fuel odors but omitted proper fuel system diagnostics. Compromised Inspection: Authorized personnel at Porsche South Austin (PSA), including service advisor [XXX], used "gold certified" credentials to falsely clear the vehicle without…
Engine · at 32,000 miles · reported Jun 21, 2012
The intermediate shaft bearing when out and spread metal shaving throughout the engine. This caused a catastrophic engine failure. I have to have the car towed to the mechanic and will have to have an engine rebuild. The car has been service according to the company provided service manual. I called porsche USA to see if they woudl do anything about the failure, since this has been a documented problem with certain porsches, but the company would not help.
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 60,000 miles · reported Apr 29, 2011
2004 porsche boxster, 58-60k mi, had catastrophic engine failure at 10 mi/hr. Engine stalled; was able to restart and drive a few feet, but badly missing. Loud clanging noise from engine. No smoke. Oil drained from car when tilted on towtruck. Dealer found intermediate shaft (Ims) failure; required engine replacement at $18k. Dealer said they had seen a significant number of ims failures (But porsche has not notified owners). No injuries, but certainly engine failure like this could have serious consequences at freeway speeds. Porsche forums on internet show frequency of failures from this…
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 20,468 miles · reported May 7, 2009
The contact owns a 2004 porsche boxster. When accelerating from a stop light at 2 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that the ims (Intermediate shaft) failed, which caused the engine to fail. It would cost $16,000-$20,000 to replace. The manufacturer stated that they were not responsible for the failure because the vehicle exceeded its warranty. The failure and current mileages were 20468. Updated 05/27/09. The intermediate shaft bolt broke which caused the engine to fail. Updated 05/28/09.

Other Porsche Boxster years

Compare all Porsche Boxster years · All Porsche models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Porsche Boxster have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2004 Porsche Boxster: 22V-656 (exterior lighting). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Porsche Boxster?

Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (2 reports), followed by steering (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 32,000 miles.

Are Porsche recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Porsche dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.