2000 PORSCHE BOXSTER S Recalls, Complaints & Safety

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CERTAIN 2-DOOR CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TIPTRONIC (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH AN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED KEY-LOCK-CABLE DOWN TO THE SHIFT SELECTOR. IF THE KEY-LOCK-CABLE IS NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE IGNITION KEY WILL SNAG UPON BEING REMOVED FRO THE IGNITION LOCK OR THE SLECTOR LEVER CAN BE SHIFTED FROM POSITION "P" WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED AND THE LOCKING BUTTON OPERATED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE ADJUSTMENT AND, REGARDLESS OF THE RESULTS OF THIS INSPECTION, THE KEY-LOCK-CABLE MUST ALSO BE ADJUSTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

12,234 vehicles affected

I WAS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A 2000 PORSCHE BOXSTER S. I TOOK THE CAR TO A PORSCHE DEALER TO HAVE A PRE PURCHASE INSPECTION PERFORMED AND WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE 53,000 MILE CAR ACTUALLY HAD A FACTORY REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THAT ACTUALLY INSTALLED THE FACTORY REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES FOR AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE INSPECTION REPORTED THAT A FEW MINOR ISSUES NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED BUT OVERALL THAT THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR AND WITHIN 2,000 MILES OF MY OWNERSHIP, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BEARING BOLT FAILED DESTROYING THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER PORSCHE BOXSTER OWNERS AND THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON, EVEN ON ENGINES WITH 20,000 MILES ON THEM. AT THE MOMENT, THE ONLY FIX FOR THIS ISSUE IS AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT FROM THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $8,000-$13,000. *TR

IGNITION LOCK FAILURE - 2000 BOXSTER S. DEALER MECHANIC ADVISED THAT PROBLEM IS SERIOUS AND COMMON. WILL ALWAYS LEAD TO STRANDED MOTORIST. PROBLEM SO COMMON MECHANIC REQUESTED QUOTE FOR 'NUKED IGNITION LOCK' FROM SERVICE WRITER. SERVICE WRITER REPLIES $450 WITHOUT HAVING TO LOOK IT UP AND ALSO HUMOROUSLY ACKNOWLEDGES FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE. PROBABLY WIDESPREAD ACROSS PORSCHE MODEL AND YEAR RANGE, INCLUDING CARRERA, THANKS TO STANDARDIZATION OF COMPONENTS. IN MY CASE THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION, SO I HAD TO FORCE THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, STRAINING KEY AND DASH COMPONENTS. IT'S BEST FOR OTHER OWNERS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE AT THE DEALER BEFORE THEY FORCE THEIR KEY OUT. *JB

1997 PORSCHE HAD A RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. MY 2000 PORSCHE BOXSTER HAS THE SAME DEFECT. DEALERS CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY THIS YEAR. MANUFACTURER DID NOT RESOLVE THE CONCERN. PORSCHE CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME TO TAKE MY COMPLAINT TO NHTSA. *JB