2004 Porsche Boxster Porsche Boxster 2004

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2004 Porsche Boxster repairs by problem area

Engine (49%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (9%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (24%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 99 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2004 Porsche Boxster.

2004 Porsche Boxster engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (17%)

$1000 - $2499 (12%)

$500 - $999 (22%)

$100 - $499 (17%)

< $100 (32%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 41 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2004 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible

264-horsepower 3.2L H6 6-speed manual RWD

42000 mi

US $800
Water pump was making noise and needed to be replaced. 
45880 mi

€70
Faulty cap on cooling circuit. Vehicle lost about 5 liters of cooling liquid and stalled due to low level of liquid / overheating. Common issue, easy fix. 
45980 mi

€480
Cooling system issues - coolant is leaking somewhere under winshield and makes it foggy. 
46500 mi

€177
Very strange vibration at cca 3.000rpm and owl-like sounds at 1.800+rpm. The mechanics found out, that "some engine bearing" is on the go, but they can't distinguish which one. Statistics say that 8% of Boxsters die on IMS failure. Selling 
46500 mi

€50
Water leaking from under the engine... Some gasket failed. Definitely this is a terrible car !!! Have to sell it immediately. The whole car is one "Unrepaired Problem". Don't ever buy !!! Leaking oil, leaking water, leaking A/C, smells, smokes, makes noises, vibrates... and fails too often !!! 
21000 mi

US $5000
Intermediate Shaft Failure 
97000 mi

US $115
Replaced Air/Oil Separator because car was idling roughly, drawing major vacuum through the crankcase and blew white smoke a few times. Repair was successful and fairly easy. 
100600 mi

US $800
Fuel pump failed non-catastrophically. Car was slow to start for a week or two. I assumed that it was the battery due to not driving the car enough. I drove it to Modern Aircooled for a thorough general inspection and oil change, and they identified that the fuel pump was failing to produce needed pressure. The fuel pump was replaced. 
102000 mi

US $500
Water pump failed. It was gushing coolant once the system pressurized and caused bad noises. Belt tenioner roller replaced. Bolt was rounded over and required cutting to remove. Cutting the bolt took a very long time due to lack of access. Bolt was replaced with M10x50mm set screw and lock nut due to lack of access. Replacement pulley used was Sebro brand. 

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2004 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible

264-horsepower 3.2L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

32155 mi

US $3292
The car was inspected and additional repairs were done while doing ims bearing change and while the engine was out. IMS bearing update and new oil separator. $1,777.15 Ims bearing kit L&N $899 Oil separator $162.84 
23000 mi catastophic rear intermediate shaft failure, resulting in complete engine replacement. Resulted from inherent engine defect in the intermediate shaft design. 

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2004 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible

258-horsepower 3.2L H6 6-speed manual RWD

52000 mi

US $2000
Water pump pulley rattling, replaced pump 
48000 mi

US $90
Expansion tank cap failure. Replaced cap. 
71000 mi

US $3500
RMS was leaking a small amount of oil. I had the IMS upgraded to the L&N dual row bearing(brand new version). At the same time, I elected to replace the clutch; Sachs. 
72000 mi

US $120
Replaced a worn out front engine mount. 
69000 mi

US $55
Coolant leak. Coolant reservoir vent replaced. 
10000 mi

US $6507
Catastrophic engine failure due to intermediate shaft failure. Dealer confirmed; known problem but refused to fix b/c out of warranty & 2nd owner. My mechanic rebuilt engine & photodocumented for class-action suit investigation. 
83000 mi

US $1700
Seeping oil at intermediate shaft seal. IMS retrofit proactively done while replacing intermediate shaft cover seal. More information: http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html. 
89000 mi

US $700
Front motor mount worn out resulting in clunking and vibration. 
106000 mi

US $2200
Precat rattle. Required replacement of exhaust manifold since precat is built into it. No aftermarket available. 
116000 mi

US $500
Slightly higher idle (@ ~1k). Infrequent puffs of blue smoke on cold startup. Check engine light. Replaced air/oil separator to correct problem. 
117000 mi

US $2100
CEL thrown for catalytic converter failure. Replace catalytic converter. Part of exh manifold. 2 on car. Other one replaced 15 mo earlier. 
117300 mi

US $20
Moisture under truck lid. Coolant Pressure Release Valve (located in trunk next to coolant filler, under plastic cover) was leaking. Significant white residue/crystals of dried coolant around valve. Replaced 2 o'rings. 
49000 mi

US $15000
Rod bearings failed. Detected by oil sample analysis. Cams scored. IMS bearing in early failure mode (full of oil). RMS leaking slightly. Replaced rod bearings, IMS bearing, RMS, precautionary replacement of clutch, water pump, thermostat 
93900 mi

US $500
Water pump mounting point was leaking. I chose to replace pump. The 90k mile service was about $3000 including the water pump. 
95000 mi Leaking water pump replaced. I elected to replace the pump as I consider it a regular replacement item after 50k miles. The car then developed overheating problems requiring a flatbed trip back to dealer. The dealer claims it was an air pocket. Where the 1.5 gallons of coolant I added went they won't say. I also burped the system after I added the coolant. The dispute with Leith Porsche continues. 
103000 mi

US $10000
02 sensors, plugs, AOS,AOL,  IMS bearing replacement of 6 year old replacement, front engine mount, oil and filters. The clutch and flywheel were also failing and were replaced.  
47000 mi

US $800
Water pump was slightly leaking, replaced as preventative measure. 

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2004 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible

258-horsepower 3.2L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

63000 mi

US $93
Emissions air-oil separator (AOS) failed, and had to be replaced. 
85000 mi

US $8
Engine ran less than smoothly at low throttle settings under some conditions. Cleaned throttle body & tightened several vacuum line connections. 
105000 mi

US $500
Air oil separator replaced (original unit) 

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2004 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible

228-horsepower 2.7L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

63700 mi

US $800
replaced a leaking seal 

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2004 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible

228-horsepower 2.7L H6 5-speed manual RWD

32000 mi

US $45
Mechanical part of ignition tumbler failed, car hard to start, replaced ignition switch. 
58000 mi

US $425
CEL on, found dry-rotted gas-cap seal and also had to replace a shut valve seal, then passed evap. test. 
72000 mi

US $600
Technician found two cracked ignition coils and replaced them. Total cost for the shop visit was $1.500, but cost of coils and labor was approx $600 of that. The rest was routine fluid, filters and sparkplugs replacement. 
27000 mi

US $3800
Fuel pump replacement. Fuel pump replacement, major maintenance, new rear tires 
36000 mi Fuel pump was incorrectly installed when it was replaced fuel pump re-installed - when new pump was installed during last visit it was done incorrectly and came loose 
60240 mi

C $1000
Changed motor carrier (mount) 
34300 mi

US $400
failed motormount - known weakness. Replaced with improved unit. PITA job. estimate is parts plus 5 hours of my time 
37300 mi

US $140
replaced (self) air-oil-seperator. Done at my convenience as it was slowly degrading. 
62000 mi fuel venting and recapture system had an error that resulted in a CEL/MIL. Took apart fender liner, checked everything. blew through it - put back together, cleared code, so far so good. 

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2004 Porsche Boxster Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2004 Porsche Boxster problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.