2011 Porsche CAYMAN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2011 Porsche CAYMAN has 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (60% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving the car at approximately 47 mph in traffic and the on board computer displayed the warning message "transmission temperature too high" followed by the message "transmission emergency run". the car at this point stopped moving and i coasted to a stop in traffic. the immediate cut off of. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

60%

• I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 47 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DISPLAYED THE WARNING MESSAGE "TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH" FOLLOWED BY THE MESSAGE "TRANSMISSION EMERGENCY RUN". THE CAR AT THIS POINT STOPPED MOVING AND I COASTED TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC. THE IMMEDIATE CUT OFF OF
• WHILE SHIFTING FROM 5TH TO 6TH GEAR, I FELT SOMETHING (PRESUMABLY THE SHIFT CABLE) SNAP. THE CAR WAS LOCKED IN GEAR, AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT TO ANOTHER GEAR. IN LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND COMPLAINTS BY SEVERAL OTHER PORSCHE OWNERS THAT SHIFT CABLES ON THEIR CARS HAD BROKEN. *TR
• THE LINKAGE FOR THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS A HIGH FAILURE RATE. IT HAS SEPARATED TWICE NOW, EACH TIME FAILING IN ABOUT 5,000 TO 7,000 MILES REQUIRING BEING TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. VERY DANGEROUS IF THIS HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC AND YOUR LINKAGE FAILS WHILE SHIFTING AND YOU ARE NOW NOT IN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 47 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DISPLAYED THE WARNING MESSAGE "TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH" FOLLOWED BY THE MESSAGE "TRANSMISSION EMERGENCY RUN". THE CAR AT THIS POINT STOPPED MOVING AND I COASTED TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC. THE IMMEDIATE CUT OFF OF”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

2 complaints

40%

• 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 va
• The vacuum pump retaining screws vibrated out, causing an oil leak and reduced functionality of the braking system. This is the second 2011 Porsche Cayman S that I have owned to have this problem. The first cause a fire and I received minor burns from the incident. Fortunately this time no fire was

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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 va”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 5 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 47 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DISPLAYED THE WARNING MESSAGE "TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH" FOLLOWED BY THE MESSAGE "TRANSMISSION EMERGENCY RUN". THE CAR AT THIS POINT STOPPED MOVING AND I COASTED TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC. THE IMMEDIATE CUT OFF OF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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 va
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)