Porsche Cayman s problems
The Porsche 987 is the internal designation for the second generation Porsche Boxster sports car. It made its debut at the 2004 Paris Motor Show alongside the 911 (997) and went on sale in 2005.
In 2005, it was joined in the range by the new Cayman fastback coupé (project 987c) with which it shared the same mid-engine platform and many components, including the front fenders and trunk lid, doors, headlights, taillights, and forward portion of the interior.
It was replaced by the Porsche 981 in 2012.
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Porsche Cayman s model years
Common Porsche Cayman s problems
The Porsche Cayman S is a high-performance sports car known for its exceptional handling and driving experience. However, like any other vehicle, it is not immune to mechanical issues and common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported problems with the Porsche Cayman S:
- IMS Bearing Failure: The Intermediate Shaft (IMS) bearing is a critical component in the engine of the Porsche Cayman S. IMS bearing failure can lead to catastrophic engine failure, and it is a well-known issue in the Cayman S models of the 987.1. The timing chain can also snap, and cracked pistons and out-of-round cylinders have been observed. These issues are due to material differences compared to other forms of the same motor, and it is recommended to avoid these engines in the Cayman due to their reliability concerns.
- Water Pump Failure: The water pump is a critical component in the cooling system of the Porsche Cayman S. Water pump failure can lead to overheating and engine damage. It is recommended to check the cooling system regularly and ensure that the water pump is functioning correctly to avoid this issue.
- Transmission Sensor Failure: The transmission sensor is a critical component in the transmission of the Porsche Cayman S. Transmission sensor failure can lead to a loss of drive and the need for a transmission replacement. It is recommended to check the transmission sensor regularly and ensure that it is functioning correctly to avoid this issue.
- Airbag Fault: A faulty electrical capacitor can prevent the airbag from working properly in a crash. This issue affects Caymans manufactured between 23 June 2015 and 16 June 2016. It is recommended to check the airbag and ensure that it is functioning correctly to avoid this issue.
- Bonnet Catch Failure: The bonnet catch of some examples made from 5 May to 6 June 2014 could fail and allow the bonnet to open at speed. It is recommended to check the bonnet catch and ensure that it is functioning correctly to avoid this issue.
In conclusion, while the Porsche Cayman S is an exceptional sports car, it is not immune to mechanical issues and common problems. Regular maintenance and checks can help prevent these issues and ensure that the car remains in good working condition.
How reliable is the Porsche Cayman S?
There aren't very many model years you should avoid, and most Porsche Cayman users don't have major complaints. According to copilotsearch.com, some older problems have specific issues, but the Porsche Cayman is fairly reliable overall, with only a few mechanical hiccups to pay attention to here and there.
Is A Porsche Cayman S worth it?
Quality is at par with a 911 combined with an ideal 3.4L engine for the chassis. This car, for me, still is the most amazing car designed by Porsche or to be more specific - Pinky Lai. None of the succeeding generations could ever come close to the raw feel and real driver engagement of the 987.2 Cayman S or R.
Are Porsche Caymans expensive to repair?
The average annual repair cost for a Porsche is $1,192, which means it has below average ownership costs.
How many miles will a Cayman last?
around 150,000 to 200,000
Porsche Boxster and Cayman models have similar mileage of around 150,000 to 200,000. This translates into 11 to 15 years with average use. However, it's not uncommon for these two models to surpass the estimated lifespan.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Porsche Cayman s years
We have researched Porsche problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Porsche Cayman s cars and compiled the top 2 most problematic Porsche Cayman s model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Porsche Cayman s model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Porsche Cayman s years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Porsche Cayman s car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Porsche Cayman s , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Tires problems
- Air bags problems
- Engine problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Porsche Cayman s vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Cayman s model years
A total of 2 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Cayman s model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Porsche Cayman s . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Porsche Cayman s vehicles.
List of Porsche Cayman s complaints
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2013-07-26
- Date Complaint: 2013-08-10
- VIN: WP0AB29826U
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A DRY ROAD AT AROUND 65MPH, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE EXPIRED IN A HUGE PLUME OF COOLANT/OIL. FLATBEDDED TO A PORSCHE DEALERSHIP, A TECHNICIAN USING A BOROSCOPE FOUND (ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP) "SCORING TO #5 CYLINDER AND EVIDENCE THAT A VALVE HAD HIT THE TOP OF THE PISTON. THERE WAS ALSO A HUGE AMOUNT OF METAL DEBRIS IN THE OIL FILTER." THIS WAS A RESULT OF SOMETHING FAILING IN THE ENGINE, RATHER THAN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE PORSCHE DEALERSHIP DID NOT CARE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. I SUSPECT INTERMEDIATE MAIN SHAFT (IMS) FAILURE. ONE YEAR BEYOND CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED (CPO) WARRANTY AND $20K FOR A NEW ENGINE. *TR
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2012-11-06
- Date Complaint: 2012-11-09
- VIN: WP0AB29816U
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CAR: 2006 CAYMAN S WITH 34,150 MILES ON IT. I DON'T RACE IT (ON OR OFF THE TRACK). 90% OF MY COMMUTE IS HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 70 MPH, WITH THE OCCASIONAL ACCELERATION (NO DOWNSHIFTING) TO 80-90 MPH. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WITH 5,000 MILES ON IT. I PUT ~29,000 MILES ON THE CAR OVER AN ~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
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2011-05-11
- Date Complaint: 2011-09-18
- VIN: WP0AB29846U
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE ENGINE FAILED WHILST TAKING PART IN A DRIVING EVENT AT WILLOW SPRINGS RACEWAY. OIL STARVATION CAUSED #6 CONROD BIG-END BEARING FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 4000RPM LEADING TO INTERNAL DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE AND AN ENORMOUS PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE OUT THROUGH THE EXHAUST. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON A STRAIGHT PART OF THE TRACK AT THE TIME AND WAS ABLE TO RETAIN CONTROL AND STOP THE CAR SAFELY. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ON A RACE TRACK AND AT A SEEMINGLY HIGH SPEED, I AM AN EXPERIENCED RACING DRIVER AND THE CAR WAS NOT BEING UNDULY ABUSED. THIS VEHICLE IS SOLD IN GERMANY WHERE IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL FOR IT TO ACHIEVE ITS 170MPH TOP SPEED WHEN DRIVING CONDITIONS ALLOW AND THE COMPANY'S ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS FOCUS ON ITS SPORTING CAPABILITIES. CLEARLY, HOWEVER, THE CAR SHOULDN'T BE ADVERTISED AS A SPORTS MODEL IF IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN A SPORTING MANNER (IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT) WITHOUT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2011-04-08
- Date Complaint: 2011-09-12
- VIN: WP0AB29896U
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: AS I WAS ACCELERATING FOR A MERGE, THE CAR BUCKED AND HESITATED DESPITE HAVING MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I SHIFTED GEARS AND IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THEN THERE WAS AN ODD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I PULLED OFF AND THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON JUST AS I STOPPED THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP.
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2011-05-15
- Date Complaint: 2011-09-10
- VIN: WP0AB29856U
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE NORMALLY, THE ENGINE JUST BLEW. NO OVER REV OR SHIFT MISS. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT SEEMED ONE BEARING AT THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED. I'VE SEEN MANY SIMILAR ENGINE BLOWS FOR THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLES ON THE NET SO I'M WONDERING IF THIS COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW. I EXPECT NHTSA'S INVESTIGATION.
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2011-08-11
- Date Complaint: 2011-08-24
- VIN: WP0AB29836U
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MOTOR FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE ACCELERATING, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND LOSS OF CONTROL. MECHANIC INSPECTION SAYS THAT IT WAS NOT MY FAULT, AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 3500 RPM AND THERE WAS NO STRESS THAT SHOULD CAUSE FAILURE. NO SLUDGE FOUND IN ENGINE, OIL CHANGES DONE ON TIME. FAILURE NECESSITATES A COMPLETELY NEW MOTOR AT A COST OF $16,000. AFTER INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THAT COMPLETE MOTOR FAILURE BETWEEN 40-50K MILES ON THE 2006 PORSCHE CAYMAN S IS FAIRLY COMMON.
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2011-06-11
- Date Complaint: 2011-08-23
- VIN: WP0AB29866U
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A CYLINDER FAILURE IN THE #5 CYLINDER. THE #5 PISTON 'CLIPPED' A VALVE, THE VALVE DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER, THE PISTON IMPACTED THE VALVE AND CAUSED THE #5 PISTON ROD TO BREAK LOOSE COMPLETELY AND PUNCH A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE ENGINE CORE. THERE WERE ALSO CRACKS IN THE #5 CYLINDER WALL. I HAD TO PURCHASE A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND HAVE MY LOCAL DEALER INSTALL IT. THE FINAL REPAIR BILL WAS $25,000.
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2008-04-18
- Date Complaint: 2011-08-22
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WP0AB29806U
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE PORSCHE ENGINE DID NOT HAVE PROPER OILING DUE TO A LACK OF PROPER OIL RETURN DESIGN WHICH CAUSES THE BEARINGS TO PREMATURELY WEAR AND THE ROD BOLTS TO FAIL IN THESE ENGINES. WE HAVE OVER 35 CASES OF THIS HAPPENING AT HTTP://WWW.PLANET-9.COM/CAYMAN-BOXSTER-PROBLEMS-COMPLAINTS/59790-OILING-PROBLEMS-BLOWN-MOTORS-NHTSA.HTML TO OWNERS OF PORSCHE BOXSTERS AND CAYMANS FROM PRIMARILY THE 2006 AND 2007 MODEL YEARS. SOME OF THESE FAILURES HAVE RESULTED IN CRASHES OR NEAR-CRASHES AS THE ENGINES FAIL THE DRIVER LOSES POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PORSCHE HAS REFUSED TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES BUT HAS REDESIGNED THE ENGINES IN 2009 TO FIX THESE OILING PROBLEMS. PORSCHE HAS EVEN DENIED WARRANTY CLAIMS WHERE THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON A TRACK DURING A DRIVING SCHOOL, ALTHOUGH PORSCHE ADVERTISES THEIR CARS AS SPORTS CARS AND CONSISTENTLY SHOWS THEM ON THE TRACK IN ADVERTISING MATERIALS, TELEVISION, ETC. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINES INCLUDE INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION (1 QUART PER 250 MILES) AND CYLINDER SCORING FROM IMPROPER ASSEMBLY AND/OR DESIGN. MY ENGINE FIRST FAILED AT 18,000 MILES AND PORSCHE MADE ME PAY OVER $5000 TO GET IT FIXED, THE ENGINE THEN CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND SUFFERED FROM CYLINDER SCORING AFTER THE PORSCHE DEALERSHIP REBUILT THE ENGINE IN 2008. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO NEED TO BE REPLACED IN AUGUST 2011 FOR ANOTHER $10,000. STATISTICS AND OWNER ACCOUNTS ARE SHOWING A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THESE ENGINES THAT PORSCHE REFUSES TO ADMIT AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED WITH ANY SORT OF RETRO-FIT KIT, RECALL OR FIX. AFTERMARKET COMPANIES HAVE CREATED SOLUTIONS BUT PORSCHE WILL NOT UTILIZE THESE AS THEY ARE NOT "PORSCHE APPROVED".
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2011-07-18
- Date Complaint: 2011-08-14
- VIN: WP0AB29896U
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: IN JANUARY OF 2007 I BOUGHT A 2006 PORSCHE CAYMANN S FORM PAUL MILLER PORSCHE IN PARSIPPANY N.J. IN 7\08\2010 THE CAR BEGAN CONSUMING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH RAY CATINA PORSCHE IN EDISON N.J. INVOICE#POCS45415. AFTER THEIR DIAGNOSIS THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CAR USED 200ML. IN 475MI., THE CAR AT THE TIME HAD 17,393MI ON THE ODOMETER, THEY SAID IT WAS WITHIN SPECS. AND I CONSIDERED IT PART OF THE BREAK IN PERIOD. AT 22000 MI I WAS EXPERIENCING AN OIL CONSUMPTION RATE OF 1QT. PER 300 MI. ALSO THEIR CONSUMPTION TEST AND WHAT I?M EXPERIENCING ARE DIFFERENT. IT WENT FROM 1QT {946ML.}EVERY 450-500 MILES TO 1QT EVERY 250-300MI. I WAS RESETTING THE TRIP ODOMETER EVERY TIME THE CAR NEEDED A QUART OF OIL, THE LAST TIME I RESET THE ODOMETER BEFORE I BROUGHT IT THE RAY CATINA THIS MONTH WAS 278MI. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN THE FIRST TIME IN 2010 IT WAS A CONSUMPTION RATE OF 1QT PER 500MI.{THAT?S WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING} THEN THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. THEY CURRENTLY HAVE THE CAR AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR WAS TEARING ITSELF APART FROM THE INSIDE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, MY POINT IS, IF THIS 'NORMAL' SITUATION IS LEFT UNNOTICED. THIS CAN LEAD TO OIL STARVATION AND EVENTUALLY CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THIS CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND MAY DUMP THE 8 PLUS QUARTS OF OIL ON THE ROAD. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FIND AND ALMOST FORCE PORSCHE TO FIX THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION BEFORE IT GOT TO THAT STAGE.
Porsche Cayman s 2005
- Date Of Incident: 2011-06-10
- Date Complaint: 2011-06-14
- VIN: WP0AB298X6U
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I OWN A 2006 PORSCHE CAYMAN S IT HAS BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM PORSCHE HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS (10032952) BUT WON'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ARE SAYING THAT IS A THE WIRING HARNESS AND ISN'T PART OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ITSELF. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A FLAW IN THIS SYSTEM AND REFUSE TO ADMIT IT. MY CAR HAS LESS THEN 30,000 MILES AND KEEP GETTING AN AIRBAG SYSTEM FAULT. *TR
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2010-10-24
- Date Complaint: 2010-10-30
- VIN: WP0AB29826U
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: TRANSMISSION LINKAGE CABLES BROKE, LEAVING ME WITH ONLY 2ND, 4TH AND 6TH GEARS (REVERSE, 1ST, 3RD, AND 5TH GEARS INOPERABLE). I LIMPED HOME IN PEAK TRAFFIC WITH POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE CLUTCH.
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2008-11-02
- Date Complaint: 2008-11-05
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WP0AB29876U
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 11/2/08 IN A PORSCHE CAYMAN S 2006 WITH THE FACTORY CONTINENTAL TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES ON IT. COMING A LOW SPEED CORNER AT ABOUT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND SLID DOWN A DITCH. THE TIRES HAD SEPARATED FROM THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED BODY DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR AND OTHER MOLDINGS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A PORSCHE BODY SHOP WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. *TR
Porsche Cayman s 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2007-10-29
- Date Complaint: 2008-01-30
- VIN: WP0AB29876U
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRE FAILED ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH. NO DAMAGE TO THE TIRE OTHER THAN THE SIDE WALL FAILURE. SIDEWALL TOTALLY SEPARATED AT THE BEAD LEAVING THE TIRE ATTACHED ONLY TO THE OUTSIDE RIM EDGE. CONTINENTAL HAS REFUSED WARRANTY REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH THE TIRE IS LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD AND LESS THAN 6,000 MILES. AUTO WAS A NEW PORSCHE CAYMAN S. *TR
Latest positive Porsche Cayman s car reviews
Are you having problems with your Porsche Cayman s?
Devonte Haag 2024-11-19
Vehicle year: 2006
But more than half of it is track-driven with temperatures up to 105F. So far, I haven't encountered any issues. It's a really fun car and I had a blast running it against a 991 GT3, even though I am underpowered. Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/mH8tmhy2rUY
August Nader 2024-11-03
Vehicle year: 2006
I absolutely love my Cayman S! It's one of my favorite cars to drive, even compared to Maserati, Aston Martin, and Ferrari. As a Porsche fan, I find it easy to drive and appreciate its sleek design. What's even better is that the Cayman S looks much more expensive than its actual price. The only other cars that come close are the Maserati Quattroporte and the Aston Martin Vanquish. Overall, I couldn't be happier with my Cayman S!
Felix Kling 2024-10-25
Vehicle year: 2006
After selling your BMW 330 convertible, you went into the Porsche dealership to test drive a Boxster S and ended up purchasing the Cayman S and you have no regrets. There is no comparison between the Boxster S and Cayman S. The Cayman blows it away with its superior performance, handling, and sleek style. The styling is so incredible that you get compliments on the car everywhere you go.
Raymond Lockman 2024-10-19
Vehicle year: 2006
As pretty as it is, the Porsche Cayman S drives and corners better. I have absolutely no complaints other than a removable engine cover would have been nice. I believe it will live up to all of the write-ups I have been reading about it for the last three years. Where should I go from here?
Webster Baumbach 2024-10-07
Vehicle year: 2006
I've had my Porsche Cayman for three weeks now and I must say, it's a stunning car designed by brilliant engineers. The car's balance is exceptional and the engine's sweet sound is music to the ears. I opted for a lighter silver paint job to accentuate the car's beautiful lines, but I also saw a medium seal grey metallic paint at the dealer that looked even better. Silver seems to be the most popular color choice, but I chose it for its overall elegance. Although the car turns heads, that wasn't my primary reason for getting it. I chose it because it's the best sports car for less than $100,000.