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2001 Porsche Boxster

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Boxster.

Transmission Automatic (S5)

The 2001 Porsche Boxster is the model-year variant of the Boxster line, equipped with an Automatic (S5) transmission and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 16/23/18 mpg. Owner-reported data spanning 1997–2024 shows the 2001 model generated 13 complaints and 3 recalls, with Engine & Engine Cooling cited as the top complaint area. That complaint total sits below the 1998 peak of 34 complaints and above the 2008 low of 1, placing 2001 in the middle of the model’s historical range. For researchers, this means the 2001 Boxster represents a moderate-risk year from a complaints standpoint rather than the most troubled or the cleanest in the series.

Model year201620152014201320122011201020092001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque96 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 0PB115499A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter0PB115499A alt 99610722560
Engine air filter99611013104
Fuel filter99611025301
Spark plug99917020791
Battery9A7915105
Front wiper blades99662890111
Serpentine belt99610215168 alt 99610215167
Thermostat99610612554 alt 99610632651
Cabin air filter99757121902

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length170.9 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height50.8 in
Wheelbase95.3 in
Curb weight2778 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)46/54

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Boxster of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.3–6.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2001 S Convertible
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001S Convertible 3.2L F-65.30 sec13.90 sec250 hpRWD
2001S Convertible 3.2L F-65.39 sec13.93 sec250 hpRWD
2001Convertible 2.7L F-66.60 sec14.66 sec217 hpRWD
2000S Convertible 3.2L F-65.20 sec13.80 sec250 hpRWD
2000S Convertible 3.2L F-65.30 sec13.90 sec250 hpRWD
2000S Convertible 3.2L F-65.50 sec13.90 sec250 hpRWD
2000S Convertible 3.2L F-65.80 sec14.30 sec250 hpRWD
2000Convertible 2.7L F-66.20 sec14.90 sec217 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 96 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts96 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-2-4-3-5
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug Gap0.028 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Gap0.063 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.87 lbs
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity6.59 oz

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .709
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .890; Rear: .732
Maximum Rotor Runout.001
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 6.496

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 15,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

At 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Universal Vehicle Operation (read dtcs)
Every 30,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 90,000 miFinal Drive (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001 Porsche Boxster recorded 13 complaints and 3 recalls, which is higher than the 2000 model’s 5 complaints but lower than the 1999 peak of 28 complaints and the 1998 peak of 34 complaints. Recalls in 2001 (3) are comparable to the surrounding years—2000 and 2004 each had 2–3 recalls, while 2002‑2003 saw 4 recalls each. Across the first‑generation span (1997‑2004), complaints declined sharply after 1998, reached a low in 2000, rose modestly in 2001‑2003, and fell again to a low in 2004, indicating that 2001 sits in an intermediate phase of the complaint trend. No investigations were reported for any year in the dataset, so the data do not specify any underlying cause for the observed fluctuations. Taken together, the 2001 model offers a middling complaint level relative to its generation, making it a reasonable but not optimal choice; years such as 2000 or 2004 show lower complaint counts with similar recall frequency.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
249
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
13
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’24

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 13 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling3
Air Bags2
Suspension1
Electrical System,Service Brakes1
Electrical System,Structure1
Power Train,Electrical System,Service Brakes1
Tires1
Power Train,Equipment1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

03V004000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 23/01/2003

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… 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…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 249 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
No. D7292025-07-30Electrical SystemParts information for parts withdrawal involving the display and controls. The list of…
No. D7282025-07-22Electrical SystemParts information for parts withdrawal involving the high-voltage connector (PAC915161)…
No. D7272025-07-18EngineParts information for parts withdrawal involving the part numbers below. The vehicles…
No. D7262025-07-15Unknown Or OtherParts information for parts withdrawal involving part number 9A7317801D. The vehicles…
No. D7252025-07-10EngineParts information for parts withdrawal involving the high pressure injector (0PB128615C)

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Boxster. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Engine oil filter 0PB115499AEngine air filter 99611013104Fuel filter 99611025301Spark plug 99917020791

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2001 Boxster have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Boxster get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.