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Verdict

2013 Porsche Boxster: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2013 Porsche Boxster — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for coupe.

Owners filed 11 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 50% of 2013 coupes. Engine leads the reports (18%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2013 coupes, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

11

Reports to NHTSA, 2013

Safety recalls

1

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

24.5

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 50% of 2013 coupes

The bar is this car's percentile among 2013 coupes by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Engine issues lead owner complaints (18% of 11 reports), followed by power train (18%).

Engine18% · 2 reports
Power Train18% · 2 reports
Structure18% · 2 reports
Suspension18% · 2 reports
Unknown Or Other18% · 2 reports
Service Brakes9% · 1 report

Share of all 11 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 10956470, ODI 10548514.

Recalls(1)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Power TrainJan 2021 · 21V679000Details +

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.

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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2013 Porsche Boxster C RWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Boxster2.7L 6-cylRear-Wheel Drive223125
Boxster2.7L 6-cylRear-Wheel Drive202924

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2013 Porsche Boxster: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2013 Porsche Boxster?

Owners filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the 2013 Porsche Boxster — fewer complaints than 50% of comparable 2013 coupes, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2013 Porsche Boxster?

The most-reported problem areas are Engine (18% of complaints) and power train (18%).

How many recalls does the 2013 Porsche Boxster have?

1 recall has been issued that affect the 2013 Porsche Boxster, covering components such as power train. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Porsche Boxster get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Porsche Boxster between 24 and 25 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.