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2021 Porsche 718 Boxster

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 718 Boxster.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S7)

Equipped with an Automatic (AM-S7) transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 21/27/24 mpg, the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster reports zero recalls and only two total owner complaints focused on seat belts. Within the 2017-2023 model complaint history where annual issues range from a high of three to a low of one, this model year occupies a middle ground in an otherwise low-complaint timeline. This placement suggests a stable reliability profile that adheres to the low-volume complaint trend observed throughout the covered period.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy21/27/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 99970768540. 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.

Battery groupBCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tire size235/40ZR19 (92Y), Rear: 265/40ZR19 (98Y)OEM · verified
Wheel / rimStandard: 8, Optional: 8, 8.5, 8, 8.5; Rear: Standard: 10, Optional: 10, 10.5, 10, 10.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter99970768540 alt 0PB115499A
Engine air filter982129620B alt 98111013000
Spark plug0PB905612 alt 0PB905603A
Battery992915105B alt 9A7915089
Front wiper blades99162890101
Serpentine belt9A210222500 alt 9A210222400
Thermostat0PB121110A alt 0PB121688
Cabin air filter9P1819631 alt 99157237100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172.4 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height50.4 in
Wheelbase97.6 in
Curb weight2943 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)46/54

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 27 / 24 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 718 Boxster of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.4–4.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.40 sec — 2021 Spyder Convertible
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Spyder Convertible 4.0L F-63.40 sec11.80 sec414 hpRWD
202125th Anniversary Convertible 4.0L F-64.10 sec12.20 sec394 hpRWD
2021GTS 4.0 Convertible 4.0L F-64.20 sec12.40 sec394 hpRWD
2020GTS 4.0 Convertible (EU Spec) 4.0L F-63.80 sec12.00 sec394 hpRWD
2020Spyder Convertible 4.0L F-63.80 sec12.00 sec414 hpRWD
2020T Convertible 2.0L Turbo F-43.80 sec12.40 sec300 hpRWD
2020Spyder Convertible 4.0L F-64.00 sec12.30 sec414 hpRWD
2020T Convertible 2.0L Turbo F-44.80 sec13.10 sec300 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Engine torques

Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs114.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs114.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.84 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity4.39 oz

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 x 38 Bolts42 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
142.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 12.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 80°, Step 4: Loosen all Bolts., Step 5: 42.0 inch lbs., Step 6: 12.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: 80°42 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
190.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 100°90 in
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
119.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°19 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
119.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°19 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°11 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
142.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 11.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Loosen all Bolts., Step 5: 42.0 inch lbs., Step 6: 11.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: 75°, Step 8: 75°42 in
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
142.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen all Bolts., Step 4: 108.0 inch lbs., Step 5: 42.0 inch lbs., Step 6: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: 80°42 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Underbody (inspect) · Underbody Splash Shield (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAir Intake Duct (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Convertible Top (inspect)
Every 30,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace)
Every 80,000 miEngine Mount (inspect)
At 120,000 miClutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

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 federal record for the 718 Boxster shows a clear downward trend across the model run captured here: complaints fell from 3 in 2017 to zero in 2018 and 2019, recalls declined sharply from 5 in 2017 to just 1 by 2019, and TSBs dropped from 500 in 2017 to 470 by 2019 and further to 313 in 2023. The 2021 target year fits squarely into this mature, low-issue phase of the generation, with its only flagged complaint areas being a single Seat Belts and a single Back Over Prevention report, and no crash or fire complaints on file. Because these are isolated, non-structural categories and the 2021 data shows no recalls, the year sits comfortably in the stable middle-to-late portion of the quality arc, well clear of the 2017 launch-year spike. The improving trend through the later captured years—culminating in a 2023 model year with zero recalls and the lowest TSB count in the dataset—suggests Porsche had largely resolved the earlier recall-heavy period by the time the 2021 car was built. One caveat is that the 2021 record does not specify root causes for the Seat Belts and Back Over Prevention reports, so a pre-purchase inspection of those systems is still advisable. Overall, based on this federal data, the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster is a defensible used buy, occupying the generation's settled and well-sorted sweet spot.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
331
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’17’18’19’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Seat Belts1
Back Over Prevention1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 331 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
40/26 44072026-06-30WheelsWheel Bolt Replacement Requirement - Change from Wheel Bolts with Aluminum Washers to…
09/26 37302026-06-30Power TrainPermanent Fault Memory Entries “P1775”/“P071400”/“P184900” in Transmission Electronics…
TSTR26362026-06-29Unknown Or OtherPorsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.200.031
TSTR26352026-06-29Unknown Or OtherPorsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.200.030
20/262026-06-25EngineOverview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils (20/26)

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 718 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.

Group T batteryEngine oil filter 99970768540Engine air filter 982129620BSpark plug 0PB905612Battery 992915105B

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 718 Boxster have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 718 Boxster get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 27 highway / 24 combined mpg.