What Porsche 718 Cayman owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Porsche 718 Cayman safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 194 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 276 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 332 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 323 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 354 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 350 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 488 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 485 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 503 |
| 2016 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 452 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Porsche 718 Cayman complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The motor experienced a catastrophic failure causing the rod to blow through the top of the engine, cutting a fuel line and causing a fire. It was later determined and passed to me via unofficial sources that this was due to a manufacturing defect where the incorrect camshaft bearings were used on specific pistons. Via online and first account conversations, it seems this has happened at least 12 other times. Those vehicles which can be found online were complete losses. Via second hand conversations, Porsche technicians said this was the first instance where the fire didn't consume the entire vehicle so they could RCA the problem.
The passenger side (right rear) inside CV joint grease boot clamp failed and leaked grease. I discovered it while switching out Winter to Summer tires. I have included pictures. In researching the defect I found that it is a common occurrence with the Porsche 718 Cayman and occurs with low mileage. I believe the clamp was defective or not installed correctly during the assembly process. If I didnât catch the leak it could have resulted in a drive axle failure and breakdown on the road endangering myself or other vehicles. My car is not tracked and is used for pleasure driving. Because I caught the leak early the Porsche dealer was able to install a new clamp. I have included the repair inv…
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.
I was driving on the highway when the oil pressure warning light came on, and then the engine completely failed. I was unable to restart the car while still coasting and was fortunately able to roll off the highway on to an exit ramp. In mid-day traffic, this could have been very dangerous. The car went straight to the dealership via flatbed - less than a year old, ~5300 miles - and it was determined the engine had seized. No cause was provided beyond 'oil exhaustion', and that there was no indication it was owner caused. The entire engine was replaced after 2 months, but I never received a full analysis or cause for the failure.
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.
The dealer reported a misfire. Upon detailed investigation and a bore scope, the inside cylinder lining had disintegrated and metal shavings were in engine oil. The motor needed to be replaced. This took 30 days to receive new motor. Upon installation, the gear shifting linkage failed, necessitating removal and replacement of these parts. The issues are ongoing at this time and I still have not had the car returned to me. It is still being repaired nearing 45 days in the repair facility.
While travelling on the freeway on 7/30/23, I experienced a "low oil pressure, shut down engine immediately" warning. I pulled over to the shoulder and was unable to restart the car. It was towed to Porsche Carlsbad dealership where it is awaiting analysis by Porsche. The car has 4900 miles on it and is under the MFG warranty.
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.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Technical Information for Rattling Noises from Around the Rear Silencer
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of approved Porsche C40 GT engine oils
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C40 engine oils are allocated.
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C20 engine oils are allocated.
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which C30 engine oils are allocated.
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche A40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which A40 engine oils are assigned. Model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.
Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q3 2026 Software Spec Update Available
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils
Technical Information for Damage to Nano Plug Contacts Due to Utilization of Incorrect Measuring Equipment
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 20
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2016–2026, owners most often name: engine, seat belts, air bags. 18 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
