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2012 Porsche Boxster

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Boxster.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 7-spd

The 2012 Porsche Boxster is a passenger car featuring a 7-speed automatic transmission and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 20/29/23 mpg. Within a model history spanning 1997 to 2024, this year recorded only one recall and a single owner complaint regarding service brakes. This volume of complaints aligns with the model's historical low of one in 2008 and contrasts with the 1998 peak of 34 complaints.

Model year201620152014201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque96 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/29/23 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 0PB115466A
Engine air filter98711013301
Spark plug99917013090
Battery9A7915089G alt 9A7915105
Front wiper blades99662890111
Serpentine belt9A110221601
Thermostat9A110622503 alt PAF008955A
Cabin air filter99757121902

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 7-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length170.9 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height50.8 in
Wheelbase94.9 in
Curb weight2987 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)46/54

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 29 / 23 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.

4.3–5.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.30 sec — 2011 Spyder Convertible
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Spyder Convertible 3.4L F-64.30 sec12.90 sec320 hpRWD
2011Spyder Convertible 3.4L F-64.30 sec12.70 sec320 hpRWD
2011Spyder Convertible 3.4L F-64.40 sec12.90 sec320 hpRWD
2011Spyder Convertible 3.4L F-64.40 sec12.80 sec320 hpRWD
2011Spyder Convertible 3.4L F-64.40 sec12.80 sec320 hpRWD
2011Spyder Convertible 3.4L F-65.10 sec13.50 sec320 hpRWD
2009S Convertible 3.4L F-64.30 sec12.90 sec310 hpRWD
2009S Convertible 3.4L F-64.50 sec13.00 sec310 hpRWD

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

Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine CoolantFILLED WITH PORSCHE LIFTIME COOLANT

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts9.5 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts9.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts96 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 340.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 340.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-2-4-3-5
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.079 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 12,000 mi.

Every 12,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect)
At 36,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 40,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace)
Every 80,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 120,000 miTransmission 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 2012 Porsche Boxster recorded just 1 complaint and 1 recall, placing it among the lowest-complaint years in the entire dataset alongside 2008. Comparing this to neighboring model years: 2011 had 2 complaints with 1 recall, while 2013 saw a notable spike to 10 complaints before returning to low levels (2-3 complaints) in 2014-2015. The 2012 model sits within a six-year stretch (2007-2012) of exceptionally low complaint activity, with the 2013 spike appearing to be an isolated uptick rather than a systemic trend. The single complaint logged was related to service brakes, with zero crash or fire complaints filed. With the lowest complaint count in the generation and no crash/fire incidents reported, the 2012 model year represents a relatively low-risk purchase within this generation's track record.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
401
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 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 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V409000Seat BeltsReported 05/08/2011

PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 911 SPEEDSTER AND 911 GTS RS 4.0; AND MODEL YEAR 2012 BOXSTER (INCLUDING S AND SPYDER); CAYMAN (INCLUDING S AND R); 911 CARRERA (INCLUDING S, GTS, 4, 4S, AND 4 GTS); 911… Remedy: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT ANCHORS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 401 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 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 98711013301Spark plug 99917013090Battery 9A7915089G

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 2012 Boxster have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Boxster get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined mpg.