What Porsche Cayman owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Porsche 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 327 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 437 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 310 |
| 2015 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 451 |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 441 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 434 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 421 |
| 2011 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 389 |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 382 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Porsche Cayman complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
Rear axel carrier side section fractured in half. This can lead to loss of control of the vehicle when driving. Recall was issued for some models/years with specific batches, but mine was not included even though itâs the same issue.
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.
Code P1023 Fuel Pump pressure/ quantity too low at start. Rough Start when engine is cold, high pressure fuel pump appears to be leaking. Replacement part is out of stock, unavailable. Unsafe to drive, could start a fire.
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 abrup…
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…
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.
Fuel tank is rubbing against the body causing visible rub marks on the plastic tank itself. This is caused by foam pads either being misplaced or not installed at all from the factory. Porsche themselves have a TSB on it (SB-1403), but they will not handle the fix outside of warranty. This seems like a major safety issue where a plastic component holding flammable fuel is rubbing against the metal body and causing a potential failure point where fuel can leak onto hot components. Porsche has stated this is not a safety issue, but I cannot see how that is possibly the case. Many others online are facing the same issue and are getting quotes of $2k USD for the fix to be carried out. Please loo…
The vacuum pump (Porsche part number 9A1-110-090-02) cover retaining screws vibrated out causing the cover to damage the fuel lines and causing an engine oil leak. The fuel and oil were ignited by the exhaust or stray spark cause by the vacuum covers rotation and hitting other metal objects. This vacuum pump provides vacuum to the brake booster and during the event drastically reduces the ability of the car to stop. The car was quickly consumed by fire (30-45 seconds) and I received very minor burns to my left arm exiting the car (mid-engine so the flames were coming out from under the drives side rear tire). I no longer have the car or parts but do have a lot of photos of the damage
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.
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
Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers
Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available
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 2010–2021, owners most often name: power train, engine, unknown or other. 24 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.
