Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
135910/10/200510018051Installing ptfe (polytetrafluoroethylene) crankshaft seals on replacement engines. *tt12/14/2005
197810/27/200510017702Engine coolant temperature sensor. *tt11/21/2005
100101/01/200410012480Replacement engine. *eh03/02/2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
244509/08/200810027384Porsche: rough running engine at idle speed-diagnostics on hot film mass air flow sensor (maf). *pe01/13/2009
10602/27/200610019397Screeching noise from the engine during warm-up. *tt03/14/2006
10100510/10/200510018155Handling ptfe crankshaft seals. 8jb12/16/2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
57410/21/200510017786Workshop service action w574 - installing washers on exhaust system bracket clamps which may eventually cause the exhaust tailpipe to tilt downwards. *tt11/30/2005

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
10/31/20051000108/30/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 mph on normal road conditions, and when stationary, there was a very distinct fume smell coming from the engine compartment. the smell was noticeable and came in through the vents. there were no warning signals prior to the incident. the vehicle was taken to a dealer several times, where they replaced the left and right cylinder head cover; cylinder head cup shield, manifold fuel gasket and the exhaust gasket but the smell persisted.
10/31/20051000108/30/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds on normal road conditions or when stationary, there was a smell of fuel coming from the engine compartment. the smell was noticeable and came in through the vents. there were no warning signals prior to the incident. the vehicle was taken to a dealer several times, who replaced the left and right cylinder head cover. also, the cylinder head cup shield, manifold fuel gasket and the exhaust gasket were replaced, but the smell persisted.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
08/09/201152000
 Catastrophic engine damage due to intermediate shaft bearing failure. there are no signs that the part will fail. there is a grinding noise in the engine and upon stopping all the oil leaks out. as soon as the noise is heard, the engine is irreparable damaged. instant, catastrophic damage. engine is a total loss. bearing is a defective design and has been redesigned in newer models.
06/04/201138081
 Travelling 75mph on freeway when oil & engine lights came on and vehicle simultaneously came to dead stop in traffic; diagnosed as catastrophic engine failure by dealer service mgr., engine replaced at cost of $17,000+. no prior warning. no fault of my own per svc.mgr. 38k miles on 2005 vehicle, 3 mo out of warranty. many similar incidents reported on several web sites. service mgr reported porsche well aware of this issue but does nothing because its too costly to repair and prefers to handle on case by case basis. sometimes covers part of cost, sometimes nothing. had i not been able to brake and coast to stop, i would have rolled over and most likely been killed! damaged engine returned to porsche in germany. i have the part that broke from which little balls spewed throughout the engine. i am informed this occurs in approx. 20% of porsche boxters and other porsche vehicles for several years until they redesigned the bolt in 2010 models. unable to determine how many injuries and/or deaths resulting from these catastrophic engine failures because accidents would appear to be from driver error and no one would know the engine failed under these circumstances! porsche employees are instructed not to acknowledge knowing anything about this being an ongoing issue and not to make repairs at porsche expense except for the customers who raise the biggest fuss. another boxter was in the shop at the same time as mine for the same problem. the google address link below shows a photo of a boxster crankshaft and intermediate shaft. one of the connecting rods broke near the piston wrist pin end and the intermediate shaft is damaged. this catastrophic engine failure is the result of: 1) a seized connecting rod bearing, 2) a loss of oil pressure, 3) bad original component design, 4) intermediate shaft assembly failure (bolts or mechanical connection eg: weld, crimp). this is what happened to my car. http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=160705
08/09/201152000
 Catastrophic engine damage due to intermediate shaft bearing failure. there are no signs that the part will fail. there is a grinding noise in the engine and upon stopping all the oil leaks out. as soon as the noise is heard, the engine is irreparable damaged. instant, catastrophic damage. engine is a total loss. bearing is a defective design and has been redesigned in newer models.
06/04/201138081
 Travelling 75mph on freeway when oil & engine lights came on and vehicle simultaneously came to dead stop in traffic; diagnosed as catastrophic engine failure by dealer service mgr., engine replaced at cost of $17,000+. no prior warning. no fault of my own per svc.mgr. 38k miles on 2005 vehicle, 3 mo out of warranty. many similar incidents reported on several web sites. service mgr reported porsche well aware of this issue but does nothing because its too costly to repair and prefers to handle on case by case basis. sometimes covers part of cost, sometimes nothing. had i not been able to brake and coast to stop, i would have rolled over and most likely been killed! damaged engine returned to porsche in germany. i have the part that broke from which little balls spewed throughout the engine. i am informed this occurs in approx. 20% of porsche boxters and other porsche vehicles for several years until they redesigned the bolt in 2010 models. unable to determine how many injuries and/or deaths resulting from these catastrophic engine failures because accidents would appear to be from driver error and no one would know the engine failed under these circumstances! porsche employees are instructed not to acknowledge knowing anything about this being an ongoing issue and not to make repairs at porsche expense except for the customers who raise the biggest fuss. another boxter was in the shop at the same time as mine for the same problem. the google address link below shows a photo of a boxster crankshaft and intermediate shaft. one of the connecting rods broke near the piston wrist pin end and the intermediate shaft is damaged. this catastrophic engine failure is the result of: 1) a seized connecting rod bearing, 2) a loss of oil pressure, 3) bad original component design, 4) intermediate shaft assembly failure (bolts or mechanical connection eg: weld, crimp). this is what happened to my car. http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=160705
08/09/201152000
 Catastrophic engine damage due to intermediate shaft bearing failure. there are no signs that the part will fail. there is a grinding noise in the engine and upon stopping all the oil leaks out. as soon as the noise is heard, the engine is irreparable damaged. instant, catastrophic damage. engine is a total loss. bearing is a defective design and has been redesigned in newer models.
06/04/201138081
 Travelling 75mph on freeway when oil & engine lights came on and vehicle simultaneously came to dead stop in traffic; diagnosed as catastrophic engine failure by dealer service mgr., engine replaced at cost of $17,000+. no prior warning. no fault of my own per svc.mgr. 38k miles on 2005 vehicle, 3 mo out of warranty. many similar incidents reported on several web sites. service mgr reported porsche well aware of this issue but does nothing because its too costly to repair and prefers to handle on case by case basis. sometimes covers part of cost, sometimes nothing. had i not been able to brake and coast to stop, i would have rolled over and most likely been killed! damaged engine returned to porsche in germany. i have the part that broke from which little balls spewed throughout the engine. i am informed this occurs in approx. 20% of porsche boxters and other porsche vehicles for several years until they redesigned the bolt in 2010 models. unable to determine how many injuries and/or deaths resulting from these catastrophic engine failures because accidents would appear to be from driver error and no one would know the engine failed under these circumstances! porsche employees are instructed not to acknowledge knowing anything about this being an ongoing issue and not to make repairs at porsche expense except for the customers who raise the biggest fuss. another boxter was in the shop at the same time as mine for the same problem. the google address link below shows a photo of a boxster crankshaft and intermediate shaft. one of the connecting rods broke near the piston wrist pin end and the intermediate shaft is damaged. this catastrophic engine failure is the result of: 1) a seized connecting rod bearing, 2) a loss of oil pressure, 3) bad original component design, 4) intermediate shaft assembly failure (bolts or mechanical connection eg: weld, crimp). this is what happened to my car. http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=160705
04/28/201123000
 My 2005 porsche boxster, 23k mi, had catastrophic engine failure at idle. the engine stalled;i was able to restart but a loud clanging noise came from engine. the car then died again. the mechanic said it was due to an intermediate shaft (ims) failure; the required engine replacement is $14k. the mechanic said he has heard of significant number of ims failures (but porsche has not notified owners). there were no injuries, but certainly engine failure like this could have serious consequences at freeway speeds. porsche forums on internet show frequency of failures from this this defect (poorly designed bearing assembly on ims) is very high, as much as 8-11% in one forum poll.
03/01/20111
 2005 porsche boxster. consumer states engine made grinding a sound and would not start *tgw the consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer, where he was informed the vehicle needed a new engine. the consumer stated no one could provide an explanation as to why a vehicle with such low miles would need a new engine. *jb
05/20/2008380481
 I was driving on the inner lane of the freeway at 65mph. the engine suddenly stalled and the check engine light started flashing. i managed to have the car sliding toward the shoulder and get off freeway. the car wasn't able to restart again. a highway patrol came by and helped to push my car to wilder shoulder for safety. the rear bumper was damaged in the process. the car was towed to the dealer for inspection and still in the shop now. the mechanist said the engine need to be replaced. *tr