Porsche Cayman Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Porsche Cayman options? We analyzed 10 model years (2007–2016) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Porsche Cayman has 35 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls across model years 2007–2016. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. 2014 drew the most complaints; 2015 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Porsche
- Model
- Cayman
- Model years analyzed
- 2007–2016 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 35
- Safety recall campaigns
- 7
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2014 (7 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2015 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Average
By model year
Porsche Cayman: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
AverageThe PORSCHE CAYMAN has 35 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 35 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 7 federal recall campaigns
- No crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
7 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
SEAT BELTS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2007–2016. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 35 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
35 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I WAS GOING DOWN HILL IN 3RD GEAR OF A MANUAL SHIFT. THE SHIFT SUDDENLY BROKE AND I COULD NOT CHANGE THE GEAR AND HAD TO PULL OVER IN A NARROW ROAD WITHOUT ANY SPACE FOR CARS TO PASS BY. IT TOOK PORSCHE 110 MINUTES TO COME A GET THE CAR. LUCKY FOR ME, I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER A HIGHWAY! *TR
Porsche dashboard leather has strunk and separated from the main dashboard. My understanding is that in the event of an accident, this could interfere with the airbag's ability to deploy correctly. A Porsche dealer has reviewed but was unable to repair it. The next step would be to replace. I've discovered this is a very common issue with Porsche vehicles from model years similar to this one.
The Cayman S model with V6, 3.4L motor, commonly referenced as a 9A1 motor had been self destructing with increasing amounts of metal slivers/chips found in the drained oil, oil filter and oil filter housing. The in-warranty Porsche dealer "installed oil" was first inspected by my shop at 27,031 mi - alarmingly metal was found, PIC attached. Metal was non magnetic, appearing to be aluminium. Subsequent oil/filter inspections found the metal volume to be significantly increasing, PIC attached, putting the motor at risk of self destructing. Car was parked with only 29,509 mi in fear of having the motor blowup/lockup while driving at highway speeds. It would have the potential of stopping abruptly or locking up the rear wheels putting the car in a spin, possibly causing a crash. Risky. Without taking the motor out and disassembling, professional opinion and speculation indicates possible early main crankshaft bearing or rod bearing failure. Motor needs replaced (estimates from $25,000 to $45,000 depending on damage and whether a dealer or independent does the work.) The vehicle is currently parked and taken off the road. Too expensive to fix. Porsche North America offered no investigative or repair support because it is out of warranty. Disappointing customer support, with this being my fourth Porsche. Isolated incident or have others found a similar problem ????
The contact owns a 2015 Porsche Cayman. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the rear housing axle carriers repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V679000 (Power Train). However, upon picking up the vehicle, the rear suspension was unstable and drifted all over the road while driving. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and completed a torque adjustment however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified but did not provide any assistance. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had not experienced a failure prior to the recall repair. The contact also stated that the engine was located at the rear of the vehicle, which presented a severe potential risk to safety. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
My door panels are delaminating around where the side curtain airbags are located. It has me concerned about driving the vehicle if I was involved in an accident.
WHILE ON A PUBLIC FREEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD SNAP AND THE SHIFTER CABLES BROKE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR, LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK IN 3RD GEAR. VEHICLE WAS IN A GRADUAL ACCELERATION AT THE TIME OF FAILURE ENTERING THE FREEWAY. THIS RESULTED IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION, AS INITIALLY IT WAS NOT APPARENT WHAT HAPPENED AND THE ENGINE OVER REVED CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. EVENTUALLY IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN GEAR. SPEED CONTROL WAS IMPAIRED, AND VEHICLE WAS IN AN UNSAFE, DIMINISHED CONTROL CONFIGURATION. THIS ALSO CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL FOR A MOMENT AS THE TAIL OF THE CAR SWEPT OUT. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS MINIMAL TRAFFIC WHICH ALLOWED THE SITUATION TO BE HANDLED. HAD THE TRAFFIC BEEN HEAVIER THIS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE CASE. THIS ALSO MADE FOR AN UNSAFE SITUATION TRYING TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND MOVE OFF THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, SO EVENTUALLY REDUCED THROTTLE AND USE OF THE CLUTCH ENABLED A SAFE OUTCOME. REPLACEMENT OF THE SHIFTER CABLES WAS REQUIRED TO RESTORE VEHICLE TO OPERATIONAL CONDITION ( AFTER TOW TO A REPAIR LOCATION). UPON SEARCHING FORUMS, THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE SHIFT CABLES. A PLASTIC SHEATH CAN MOVE OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING METAL ON METAL WEAR OF THE CABLE UNTIL IT SNAPS.
Read 14 more owner reports
WHILE ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY, THE SHIFTER CABLES FAILED IN AN ATTEMPT TO SHIFT INTO 6TH GEAR, LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. VEHICLE WAS IN A GRADUAL ACCELERATION AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THIS RESULTED IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION, AS INITIALLY IT WAS NOT APPARENT WHAT HAPPENED. EVENTUALLY IT BECAME APPARENT THAT A TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF SOME TYPE HAD OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN GEAR. SPEED CONTROL WAS IMPAIRED, AND VEHICLE WAS IN AN UNSAFE, DIMINISHED CONTROL CONFIGURATION. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS MINIMAL TRAFFIC WHICH ALLOWED THE SITUATION TO BE EVALUATED WITHOUT PERIL. HAD THE TRAFFIC BEEN HEAVIER THIS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE CASE. VEHICLE IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, SO EVENTUALLY REDUCED THROTTLE AND USE OF THE CLUTCH ENABLED A SAFE OUTCOME. REPLACEMENT OF THE SHIFTER CABLES WAS REQUIRED TO RESTORE VEHICLE TO OPERATIONAL CONDITION ( AFTER TOW TO A REPAIR LOCATION). *TR
INTERIOR HEADLINER MATERIAL BECOMES UNGLUED AND DROOPS DOWN CREATING A DISTRACTION AND OBSTRUCTING REARWARD VISION THROUGH REAR VIEW MIRROR.
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55-60 MPH), ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT DUE TO TRAFFIC AND THE MANUAL GEAR SHIFT LEVER DID NOT RESPOND. IT WAS COMPLETELY LIMP AND SEEMED DISCONNECTED FROM THE SHIFTING ACTION. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE THE VEHICLE THROUGH TRAFFIC, TO AN OFF RAMP AND INTO A SAFE PARKING SPOT. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE HAD BROKEN. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE PORSCHE CAYMAN, SO I'M REPORTING THIS AS IT POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE AND THOSE AROUND THEM WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. OBVIOUSLY NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DIFFERENT GEARS WHILE IN ANY SORT OF TRAFFIC CREATES A RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS APPARENTLY DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE ALSO STEEP -- IT COST ME $1,325 FOR THE CABLE TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS OVER $100 FOR THE TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY VEHICLE HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT, BUT I HAVE READ OF INCIDENTS WHERE THIS OCCURRED ON VEHICLES WITH FEW MILES AND SOME REPORT IT HAS BROKEN REPEATEDLY. SO I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE PORSCHE AND URGE THE COMPANY TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH A RECALL AND/OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR COSTS. THANK YOU. *TR
I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY WHEN THE GEARSHIFT CABLE TO THE TRANSMISSION BROKE CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE I HAD NO CONTROL OF WHAT GEAR I WAS IN AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. AS IT TURNED OUT, I WAS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY, LUCKILY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE GEARSHIFT CABLE TO THE TRANSMISSION HAD BROKEN. HE SAID THAT THIS WAS COMMON FOR MY CAR. IT COST ME $840 TO REPAIR. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARED TO A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF PORSCHE. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THE GEARSHIFT CABLE BREAK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY IF I HAD LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR WHILE TRAVELING ON MOUNTAINOUS ROADS OR TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER CAR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR
SHIFTER CABLE BROKE AS I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY LEAVING ME WITHOUT CONTROL OF THE TRANSMISSION. AS IT WAS, I WAS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, BUT I COULD HAVE BEEN STUCK OUT OF GEAR, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DANGEROUS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND KNOW DEFECT TO PORSCHE MECHANICS AND MANY OCCURRENCES ARE POSTED ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BESIDES BEING A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PORSCHE CAYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK ON FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
On the freeway the brakes began pressing themselves, lifting the pedal had no impact on the brakes being applied. I had to shift into 3rd gear and floor it to move off the freeway safely. The wheel weights fell off the wheels the brakes were so hot I had to keep away from the wheel. The tire was damaged from the heat and the sidewalls began to form cracks. It looks like this is a BRAKE BOOSTER failure as I have now read several people reporting the fix for it.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PORSCHE CAYMAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S ROOF LINING DROPPED AND BLOCKED THE REARVIEW VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I OWN A 2007 PORSCHE CAYMAN S AND I JUST WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT I BELIEVE IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. THE MUFFLER STICKS OUT EVEN SO MINIMALLY (ALMOST AN INCH) THAT I HAVE BEEN BURNED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AT EXACT SAME AREA ON MY LOWER LEG WHEN AFTER DRIVING THE CAR, I GO TO OPEN MY BACK TRUNK TO RETRIEVE STUFF. I'VE TOLD MYSELF THAT I'LL REMEMBER THE NEXT TIME BUT SINCE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WON'T EXPECT FROM A CAR, OF COURSE, I DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE BURNED AREAS (1 1/2 INCHLONG AND X 3/4 CM WIDE) IN MY LEG IF YOU WANT TO SEE THEM. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS JUST LAST WEEK, 09/04, AND THE BURN IS STILL RAW. I SENT AN EMAIL TO PORSCHE OF NO AMERICA AND THIS IS WHAT THEY ADVISED ME TO DO. "THE BEST DEPARTMENT TO SPEAK WITH IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER WOULD BE THE SERVICE OR PARTS DEPARTMENT AT YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED PORSCHE DEALER AS THEY CAN ADVISE IF ANY AMENDMENTS OR CHANGES CAN BE RECOMMENDED FOR THIS SPECIFIC CONCERN AS THEY ARE PORSCHE'S TECHNICAL SUPPORT " I'VE FORWARDED MY COMPLAINT TO RUZNAK PORSCHE. *TR
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BROKE. IMS FAILURE. RESULT IS WHOLE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR
Tail lamps are prone to hairline cracks difficult to see, when driven in rain or car wash tail lamp floods and causes electrical system to short circuit resulting in death or accident in inclement weather due to low visibility.
Engine stalls when stopped if not in sport mode. Electronic gauge display for oil level is confusing and shows low oil level in green, causing the user to add oil when it is full. Steering rubs and knocks when turning.
Windshield washer hose has snapped at the hood hinge which is preventing clearing of the windsheild of debris and obscuring forward visibility. This part was replaced by the dealer in 2016 during the first annual service for reasons unknown to me and has now failed.
TRW Automotive Inc. Airbag Control Unit (Part No. 218737-124 RI; Serial No. 11050089RI; Produced: April 20, 2015) was equipped in 2016 Porsche Cayman VIN [XXX] by Porsche (Vehicle Production Date: June 29, 2015). In 2019, TRW recalled the aforementioned ACU in NHTSA 19E-043. In 2019, in response to the TRW recall, Porsche recalled 2016 Porsche Caymans in NHTSA 19V-533 but Porsche & the NHTSA failed to include 2016 Porsche Cayman VIN [XXX] (Vehicle Production Date: June 29, 2015) from this recall by setting an incorrect production date bracket starting at July 8, 2015 which is at least 9 days too late. The ACU failed during normal operation of the vehicle on February 1, 2020. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Showing 20 of 35 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Porsche Cayman
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Porsche Cayman, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Porsche Cayman has 35 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Porsche Cayman has 7 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 0 of the Porsche Cayman's 35 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Porsche Cayman vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Porsche Cayman vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Porsche Cayman has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Porsche Cayman stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Porsche Cayman by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Porsche Cayman.
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Porsche Cayman reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Porsche Cayman reliable?
Average. The Porsche Cayman has 35 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Porsche Cayman years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2014 (7 complaints), 2016 (7 complaints), 2010 (5 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Porsche Cayman problems?
Top reported issues: POWER TRAIN (12 complaints); ENGINE (7 complaints); AIR BAGS (6 complaints).
Does the Porsche Cayman have recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Porsche Cayman. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.