The 2017 718 Boxster S with the 2.5L turbocharged flat-four is a solid performer, but suffers from a critical engine defect affecting cylinder scoring and bearing failure, particularly in early production years. When maintained properly and not afflicted by the bore scoring issue, these are reliable sport cars with typical Porsche running costs.
Cylinder Bore Scoring and Piston Ring Failure (9A2 Engine)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (more than 1 qt per 1,000 mi), Blue smoke from exhaust on cold starts or deceleration, Rough idle and misfires in advanced cases, Metallic knocking sounds if bearing damage occurs
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement required. Involves pulling the entire engine, replacing scored cylinders, pistons, rings, and often bearings. 25-35 labor hours depending on extent of damage and whether full rebuild or short block swap is performed.
Estimated cost: $15,000-25,000
Connecting Rod and Main Bearing Failure
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Heavy metallic knocking from engine bay, especially under load, Sudden loss of oil pressure, Check engine light with low oil pressure codes, Catastrophic engine failure if ignored
Fix: Often related to the bore scoring issue or oil starvation from excessive consumption. Requires complete engine teardown, crankshaft inspection/replacement, bearing replacement, and often cylinder work. 30-40 labor hours for full rebuild.
Estimated cost: $18,000-28,000
PDK Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission temperature warning on instrument cluster, Harsh or delayed shifts when transmission is hot, Visible leaks near front of transmission, Limp mode activation in severe cases
Fix: Cooler lines crack or corrode at connections. Requires removal of undertray and sometimes front bumper cover for access. Replace cooler and lines, flush system. 4-6 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Transmission Mount Deterioration
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive drivetrain movement felt through chassis, Vibration at idle that wasn't previously present, Visible cracks or separation in rubber mount
Fix: Rubber mounts fatigue from heat and stress. Mid-engine layout makes access moderate. Support transmission, remove old mount, install new. 2-3 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Fuel Filter Clogging (Early Production)
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Hesitation or stumble during hard acceleration, Engine stalls or runs rough under boost, Check engine light with lean fuel mixture codes, Reduced power output
Fix: Some early 2017 models had fuel filter contamination issues from manufacturing. Filter is integrated into fuel pump module in tank. Drop tank, replace pump/filter assembly. 3-4 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Head Gasket Failure (Related to Bore Scoring)
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible external leaks, White smoke from exhaust, Overheating under load, Oil contamination with coolant (milky appearance on dipstick)
Fix: Often occurs in conjunction with cylinder scoring issues. Requires engine removal, cylinder head removal on affected bank, resurfacing heads, new gaskets, head bolts. 20-28 labor hours if combined with other internal work.
Estimated cost: $8,000-14,000
Buy only with comprehensive pre-purchase inspection and confirmed clean bill of health on engine internals — the bore scoring lottery can be financially catastrophic, but unaffected examples are fantastic drivers.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.