Model year guide

2004 Porsche Boxster

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Porsche Boxster is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 17 on record.

2004 Porsche Boxster — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Porsche Boxster at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints4
Combined20 mpg
Typical price$12,411

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Porsche Boxster recalls 3

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: 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 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: 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 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #22V656000 · 30/08/2022

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly …

Fix: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Porsche Boxster common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2004 Porsche Boxster MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,800

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Porsche Boxster worth?

Low
$6,800
Typical price
$12,411
High
$18,997

From 17 comparable 2004 Porsche Boxster listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Porsche Boxster costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$5,150
Total$24,150
Per mile$0.32

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($12,411) with the same model 5 model-years older ($7,255), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Porsche Boxster trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · S · S Anniversary Edition
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl 225 hp · 3.2L 6-cyl 258 hp

2004 Porsche Boxster vehicles on record

2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster SWP0CB29874U661681 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster BaseWP0CA29884S620555 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster BaseWP0CA298X4U620531 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster BaseWP0CA29854U620307 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster S Anniversary EditionWP0CB29814U660784 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster BaseWP0CA29874U620941 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster BaseWP0CA29874S620806 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster BaseWP0CA29854S620271 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster BaseWP0CA29804U620988 2004 Porsche Boxster SWP0CB29814U661191 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster BaseWP0CA29804U621381 2004 Porsche BoxsterWP0CA29814S620199 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche BoxsterWP0CA29834U621083 2004 Porsche BoxsterWP0CA29804U621428 2004 Porsche Boxster SWP0CB29884U660345 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster SWP0CB29894U660614 2004 Porsche Boxster 2004 Porsche Boxster SWP0CB29854U661582

Other Porsche Boxster model years

2018 2015 2014 2013 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997

2004 Porsche Boxster — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Porsche Boxster have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2004 Porsche Boxster. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Porsche Boxster?

Based on 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, fuel/propulsion system, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Porsche Boxster get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Porsche Boxster at about 20 mpg combined (17 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2004 Porsche Boxster worth?

Comparable 2004 Porsche Boxster listings run roughly $6,800–$18,997, typically around $12,411 (from 17 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.