The Porsche Cayman spans 2006–2016 with 20 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2016, 2014, 2011 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2006, 2008, 2013. It delivers up to 25 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Porsche Cayman is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2006 to 2016 across multiple generations.
How to read a Porsche Cayman VIN — every digit explained
Every Porsche Cayman carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Porsche and the country it was built in (real Porsche codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Cayman.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWP0 · WP1
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Cayman, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Porsche Cayman have?
The Porsche Cayman has 20 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2006–2016. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2016 Porsche Cayman recalls 1
Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
What's wrong. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2016-2017 911 and Boxster, 2016 Cayman and Panamera vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Risk. Deactivated air bags increase the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 13, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB4.
2015 Porsche Cayman recalls 2
Power Train:axle Assembly
What's wrong. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Boxster, 2013-2014 Boxster S, 2014-2015 Cayman, Cayman S, 2015 Boxster GTS, and Cayman GTS vehicles. The rear-axle carrier side sections may fracture.
Risk. A carrier fracture may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the rear-axle carrier side sections, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB7.
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
What's wrong. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Porsche 911, Boxster, and Cayman vehicles manufactured May 7, 2014, to September 23, 2014. The front hood upper lock components were not manufactured to specification and may fail to securely latch the vehicle's hood during operation.
Risk. A failure of the hood latching mechanism may cause the hood to suddenly open during vehicle operation and will severely impede the driver's ability to see out the front windshield, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix. Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock on the front hood, free of charge. The recall began December 12, 2014. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AE04.
2014 Porsche Cayman recalls 4
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
What's wrong. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Porsche 911, Boxster, and Cayman vehicles manufactured May 7, 2014, to September 23, 2014. The front hood upper lock components were not manufactured to specification and may fail to securely latch the vehicle's hood during operation.
Risk. A failure of the hood latching mechanism may cause the hood to suddenly open during vehicle operation and will severely impede the driver's ability to see out the front windshield, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix. Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock on the front hood, free of charge. The recall began December 12, 2014. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AE04.
Electrical System
What's wrong. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2014 Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman, Cayman S and 911 Carrera (S, Cabriolet, S Cabriolet, 4, 4S, 4 Cabriolet, 4s Cabriolet) vehicles manufactured September 2, 2013, through September 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the passenger seats may be equipped with defective wiring harnesses resulting in intermittent contact with the harness plug.
Risk. The intermittent plug may cause the passenger seat frontal and knee airbags may be deactivated. In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, this may increase the risk of injury to the front passenger.
Fix. Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2013. Owners may contact Porsche at 1-770-290-3500. Porsche's recall number is AD04.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2014 Cayman and Cayman S, 2014-2016 911 GT3, 2016 911 GT3 RS and 911 R, 2018 911 GT3 and 911 GT2 RS and 2019 911 GT3 RS, 911 GT3, and 911 GT2 RS vehicles. The Child Restraint System (CRS) instructions within the Owner's Manual may not provide enough specificity for proper installation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk. Improper CRS installation increases the risk of an injury to the occupant in the event of a crash.
Fix. Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will provide a an Owner's Manual supplement with proper CRS installation instructions, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKC0.
Power Train:axle Assembly
What's wrong. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Boxster, 2013-2014 Boxster S, 2014-2015 Cayman, Cayman S, 2015 Boxster GTS, and Cayman GTS vehicles. The rear-axle carrier side sections may fracture.
Risk. A carrier fracture may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the rear-axle carrier side sections, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB7.
2012 Porsche Cayman recalls 1
Seat Belts
What's wrong. PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 911 SPEEDSTER AND 911 GTS RS 4.0; AND MODEL YEAR 2012 BOXSTER (INCLUDING S AND SPYDER); CAYMAN (INCLUDING S AND R); 911 CARRERA (INCLUDING S, GTS, 4, 4S, AND 4 GTS); 911 TARGA 4 AND TARGA 4S; AND 911 TURBO AND TURBO S MODELS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 31, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE MOUNTING HOLES IN THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATES FITTED TO THE VEHICLE ARE TOO SMALL. IF THE HOLE DIAMETER IS TOO SMALL, THE ANCHOR PLATE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ROTATE ABOUT THE FASTENING BOLT AS DESIGNED.
Risk. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT BE ROUTED OPTIMALLY AROUND THE OCCUPANT, OR MAY POTENTIALLY LOOSEN AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.
Fix. PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT ANCHORS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.
Best and worst years for the Porsche Cayman
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 11 tracked years, the worst years are 2016, 2014, 2011 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2006, 2008, 2013.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Cayman | — | Best | |
| 2007 Cayman | Engine And Engine Cooling | Average | |
| 2008 Cayman | — | Best | |
| 2009 Cayman | Power Train | Average | |
| 2010 Cayman | Power Train | Average | |
| 2011 Cayman | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2012 Cayman | Engine | Average | |
| 2013 Cayman | — | Best | |
| 2014 Cayman | Fuel/propulsion System | Avoid | |
| 2015 Cayman | Air Bags | Average | |
| 2016 Cayman | Air Bags | Avoid |
What are the most common Porsche Cayman problems?
The most-reported Porsche Cayman problems are Engine (7 reports), Air Bags (6 reports) and Steering (1 reports) — out of 35 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Porsche Cayman specifications & dimensions
The 2016 Porsche Cayman measures 172″ long on a 98″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,888 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Porsche Cayman window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 172″ | 71″ | 51″ | 98″ | 2,888 lb |
| 2006–2013 | 171″ | 71″ | 51″ | 95″ | 2,954 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Porsche Cayman cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Cayman holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 70 cu ft of passenger volume and 5 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Porsche Cayman tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Porsche Cayman get?
The Porsche Cayman returns up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,100/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2016 Porsche Cayman (2.7L 6-cyl) gets 25 mpg combined and costs about $3,100/yr to fuel, emitting 352 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10, smog 5/10) — about $4,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Cayman | 22 | 31 | $3,100 | 352 | 5/10 | 2.7L 6-cyl | |
| 2015 Cayman | 22 | 31 | $3,100 | 352 | 6/10 | 2.7L 6-cyl | |
| 2014 Cayman | 22 | 31 | $3,100 | 352 | 6/10 | 2.7L 6-cyl | |
| 2012 Cayman | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 386 | 6/10 | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 2011 Cayman | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 386 | 6/10 | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 2010 Cayman | 20 | 29 | $3,200 | 370 | 6/10 | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 2009 Cayman | 20 | 29 | $3,200 | 370 | — | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 2008 Cayman | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 386 | 6/10 | 2.7L 6-cyl | |
| 2007 Cayman | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 386 | 6/10 | 2.7L 6-cyl | |
| 2006 Cayman | 18 | 25 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 3.4L 6-cyl |
The 2020 Porsche Cayman (2L 4-cyl) gets 24 mpg combined and costs about $3,200/yr to fuel, emitting 375 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10, smog 1/10) — about $5,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Cayman | 21 | 27 | $3,200 | 375 | 1/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 Cayman | 22 | 29 | $3,100 | 353 | 3/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 Cayman | 22 | 29 | $3,100 | 353 | 3/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2017 Cayman | 22 | 29 | $3,100 | 353 | — | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Cayman stacks up against the most fuel-efficient two-seaters, or calculate this Cayman's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Porsche Cayman have? Power & range
The Porsche Cayman is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.7L 6-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.7L · 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | RWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Porsche Cayman cost to own?
A used Porsche Cayman sells for a median of about $19,500 for a 2008 — most listed between $18,000 and $40,981, from 32 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Cayman | $18,000–$40,981 | 5 | |
| 2007 Cayman | $21,550–$40,900 | 20 | |
| 2006 Cayman | $20,000–$37,790 | 7 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Cayman is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.
A Porsche Cayman holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Cayman loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $15,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Cayman ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Porsche Cayman to insure?
A Porsche Cayman costs about $1,251 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 13% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (87, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Cayman's HLDI loss index. See Porsche insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Porsche Cayman safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Cayman yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Porsche Cayman last?
A well-maintained Porsche Cayman typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Porsche Cayman’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Cayman’s VIN free →All Porsche Cayman model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Porsche Cayman — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Cayman | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2015 Cayman | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2014 Cayman | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2013 Cayman | 0 | — | |
| 2012 Cayman | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2011 Cayman | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2010 Cayman | 1 recall | — | |
| 2009 Cayman | 1 recall | — | |
| 2008 Cayman | 0 | — | |
| 2007 Cayman | 1 recall | — | |
| 2006 Cayman | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Cayman?
By owner-complaint volume, 2016, 2014, 2011 drew the most reports. 2006, 2008, 2013 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Cayman have?
20 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2006–2016. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Porsche recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Cayman get?
Up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Cayman last?
A well-maintained Cayman typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Cayman reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Cayman is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Porsche Cayman warranty?
New Porsche models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Porsche dealer.
Where is the Porsche Cayman made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Cayman's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Porsche may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a Cayman weigh?
The Cayman's curb weight is around 2,888 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the Cayman have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.