Porsche Boxster S: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
The Porsche Boxster S has 10 model year(s) in the federal index and no scored complaint record yet, so this page carries the catalogue entry and the years we hold rather than a verdict.
Porsche Boxster S: which years to avoid
Across 4 scored model years the Porsche Boxster S ranges from 90/100 in 2012 to 92/100 in 2011 — a 2-point spread, so which year you buy matters.
Safest years: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
How the Boxster S changed, run by run
The federal record falls into 2 stretches of years that behave alike. A redesign shows up here as a step in the complaint rate that then holds.
2011–2012
Mean score 91/100. Owners of these years complain about Service Brakes more than anything else (1 complaints). 1 recall campaign(s) in this run touch fire, crash or stall risk.
2014–2015
Mean score 92/100. Owners of these years complain about Suspension more than anything else (2 complaints).
Year-by-year data table
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | — | DATA PENDING | $4,680 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | DATA PENDING | $4,520 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | DATA PENDING | $4,660 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | DATA PENDING | $4,800 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | DATA PENDING | $4,940 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 92 | BUY | $5,085 | 3 | 0 |
| 2014 | 92 | BUY | $5,220 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | — | DATA PENDING | $5,360 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 90 | BUY | $5,650 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | 92 | BUY | $5,792 | 2 | 1 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Boxster S sub-models & family
What goes wrong on the Porsche Boxster S
Across every Boxster S model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Suspension2 complaints across all Boxster S years · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle$780–$1,580
- Power Train2 complaints across all Boxster S years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Wheels1 complaints across all Boxster S years · typical job: Wheel bearing or hub replacement$460–$920
- Steering1 complaints across all Boxster S years · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement$1,020–$2,500
- Service Brakes1 complaints across all Boxster S years · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles$580–$1,140
- Hydraulic1 complaints across all Boxster S years · typical job: Brake master cylinder or ABS module replacement$680–$1,520
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Porsche Boxster S years to buy?
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2011 at 92/100, on 2 complaints and 1 recall campaigns.
What is the most common Porsche Boxster S problem?
2 of the complaints filed against the Boxster S across all its model years sit in the Suspension group — more than any other component.
Compare with
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04