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2004 Porsche Boxster

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Boxster.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2004 Porsche Boxster is a passenger car equipped with an automatic (S5) transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 16 city/24 highway/19 combined mpg, and its reliability record shows only three total owner complaints—with the engine being the most-cited issue—alongside three recalls. Within the model’s complaint history spanning 1997 to 2008, the 2004 model year sits in a notably stable period, far removed from the 34 complaints logged for the 1998 model and trending toward the low-complaint territory that would culminate in just one complaint for the 2008 version.

Model year2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2004

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque96 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/24/19 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 filter	0PB115499A alt 99610722560
Engine air filter	99611013104
Fuel filter	99611025301
Spark plug	99917020791
Battery	9A7915105
Front wiper blades	99662890111
Serpentine belt	99610215167 alt 99610215168
Thermostat	99610612554 alt 99610632651
Cabin air filter	99757121902

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	170.9 in
Overall width	70.1 in
Overall height	50.8 in
Wheelbase	95.3 in
Curb weight	2811 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.5 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	47/53

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium 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.

5.4–5.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2004 S Convertible

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2004	S Convertible 3.2L F-6	5.40 sec	13.80 sec	258 hp	RWD
2004	S Convertible 3.2L F-6	5.50 sec	14.00 sec	258 hp	RWD
2003	S Convertible 3.2L F-6	5.30 sec	13.76 sec	258 hp	RWD
2003	S Convertible 3.2L F-6	5.80 sec	14.40 sec	258 hp	RWD
2003	Convertible 2.7L F-6	6.00 sec	14.60 sec	225 hp	RWD
2003	Convertible 2.7L F-6	6.00 sec	14.60 sec	225 hp	RWD
2001	S Convertible 3.2L F-6	5.30 sec	13.90 sec	250 hp	RWD
2001	S Convertible 3.2L F-6	5.39 sec	13.93 sec	250 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 96 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	3.7
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.7 Pints
Engine Coolant	FILLED WITH PORSCHE LIFTIME COOLANT
Manual Transmission Fluid	Porsche part number 00004330471
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.6
Manual Transmission Fluid	Porsche part number 00004330471

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

96 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-2-4-3-5
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug Gap	0.028 in
Spark Plug Torque	18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Gap	0.063 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.87 lbs
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Oil Capacity	6.59 oz

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.079 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 48,000 mi.

Every 12,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 mi	Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 48,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Final 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.

Within the 1997–2004 model years shown, federal complaints trended downward from a high of 34 in 1998 to just 3 in 2004, while recalls held in a narrow 2–5 range annually and TSB counts climbed to a plateau near 360 by the early 2000s. The 2004 model lands at the bottom of this complaint arc, recording the lowest complaint total of that eight-year span—down sharply from 19 in 2003 and 11 in 2002—while carrying 3 recalls and 359 TSBs, figures effectively identical to the prior two years. All three complaints fall under engine or steering/engine-cooling categories, though the data does not specify root causes, and the year posted zero crash-related and zero fire-related complaints. Notably, 2005 sees complaints rebound to 19 with zero recalls, suggesting 2004’s low complaint volume reflects a temporary dip rather than a simple generational transition. Given its status as the least complained-about year in the period with stable recall activity and no crash or fire complaints, 2004 stands out as a comparatively favorable year to purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

359

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

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 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Engine1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Steering,Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 359 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
40/26 4407	2026-06-30	Wheels	Wheel Bolt Replacement Requirement - Change from Wheel Bolts with Aluminum Washers to…
TSTR2636	2026-06-29	Unknown Or Other	Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.200.031
TSTR2635	2026-06-29	Unknown Or Other	Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.200.030
20/26	2026-06-25	Engine	Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils (20/26)
19/26 1701	2026-06-25	Engine	Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils (19/26)

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 0PB115499A Engine air filter 99611013104 Fuel filter 99611025301 Spark plug 99917020791

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2004 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 / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.