Generations
987.1 — First Generation Cayman
2005–2008
2.7L Flat-6, 3.4L S Flat-6
987.2 — Revised First Generation Cayman
2009–2012
2.9L DFI Flat-6, 3.4L S DFI Flat-6
981 — Second Generation Cayman
2013–2016
2.7L DFI Flat-6, 3.4L S DFI Flat-6, 3.8L GTS Flat-6
718 — Third Generation Cayman
2016–2023
2.0L Turbo Flat-4, 2.5L Turbo S Flat-4, 4.0L GT4 Flat-6
Top issues to watch for
The most serious Porsche Cayman problems ranked by severity. We track 14 known issues — here are the ones you need to know about first.
Dangerous
IMS bearing failure (987.1)
The intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing supports the shaft that drives the camshafts on M96 and M97 flat-six engines. The original single-row ball bearing is undersized for the loads it carries and can fail without warning, sending metal debris through the entire lubrication system. 2005-2006 models carry the highest risk as they use the weakest bearing design. The bearing was updated in 2007-2008 but the fundamental design weakness remains until the DFI engines of 987.2.
What happens if ignoredIf the bearing collapses completely, metal debris contaminates the full oil system and destroys the engine beyond economical repair. A specialist engine-out rebuild typically costs £8,000-£15,000 depending on the extent of damage to pistons, cylinders, and crankshaft. The car should not be driven if bearing wear is suspected.
Specialist
£2,000–£3,000
Main dealer
£3,000–£4,500
Parts only
£400–£800
Dangerous
Bore scoring (rare but possible on S)
Cylinder wall scoring occurs when the bore surface becomes scratched or gouged, typically due to inadequate lubrication or debris in the oil system. The 3.4L Cayman S engines are particularly susceptible due to their higher specific output and running temperatures. Bore scoring leads to compression loss, oil consumption, and eventual complete engine failure. A borescope inspection through the spark plug holes is essential before purchasing any 987 S model.
What happens if ignoredBore scoring requires a complete engine rebuild with cylinder bore work, new pistons, and rings. Repair costs typically range from £8,000-£15,000 at a specialist. If left untreated, the engine will suffer complete failure requiring replacement. The car should not be driven hard if bore scoring is suspected.
Specialist
£8,000–£12,000
Main dealer
£12,000–£18,000
Parts only
£3,000–£6,000
Dangerous
Oil starvation on track use
The 3.4L M97 engine suffers oil starvation under sustained high-G cornering due to inadequate oil pan design and pickup tube positioning. During extended track sessions, oil moves away from the pickup causing catastrophic bearing damage within seconds. This affects only cars driven on track - road driving does not generate sufficient lateral G-forces to cause the problem. Deep sump kits and accusump systems provide protection but require professional installation.
What happens if ignoredOil starvation causes immediate and catastrophic bearing failure, typically requiring complete engine replacement or rebuild costing £8,000-£20,000. The damage occurs within seconds once oil pressure is lost. Cars with this damage history should not be purchased unless evidence of complete engine rebuild is provided.
Specialist
£0–£2,500
Main dealer
£0–£3,500
Parts only
£0–£1,500
Dangerous
Brake pipe corrosion
MOT data shows Cayman models fail brake pipe corrosion tests at 7.7x the national fleet average, with 10,700 recorded failures across all generations. The brake lines on Caymans are particularly vulnerable to corrosion due to their routing and exposure to road salt and moisture. This represents a significant safety risk as brake line failure causes immediate and complete loss of braking ability.
What happens if ignoredBrake line failure causes immediate and complete loss of braking ability with no warning. This represents an extreme safety risk to the driver and other road users. Cars with corroded brake lines should not be driven until professionally inspected and repaired. Brake line replacement typically requires complete system bleeding and may reveal additional brake system problems.
Independent garage
£300–£600
Specialist
£400–£700
Main dealer
£500–£900
Parts only
£100–£200
10 more known issues tracked
Including wear items, electrical niggles, and generation-specific problems. Check a specific car to see which issues apply to its age and mileage.
Check a Porsche Cayman →MOT failure hotspots
Based on DVSA MOT test data. These are the items where the Porsche Cayman fails at a significantly higher rate than the average car.
Track rod ends worn
Steering · 40-60k miles
MOT failure rate: 24x the fleet average
Sample: 786 tests
Tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned
Tyres · 20-40k miles
MOT failure rate: 18x the fleet average
Sample: 1,948 tests
Exhaust system damage
Bodywork · 60-80k miles
MOT failure rate: 11x the fleet average
Sample: 1,916 tests
Emissions failure
Exhaust & Emissions · 120-150k miles
MOT failure rate: 8.1x the fleet average
Sample: 375 tests
Brake pipes corroded
Brakes · 0-20k miles
MOT failure rate: 7.8x the fleet average
Sample: 620 tests
Coil springs broken
Suspension · 20-40k miles
MOT failure rate: 7.3x the fleet average
Sample: 298 tests
Buying a Porsche Cayman?
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Related
Porsche Cayman reliability FAQs
What are the most common problems with the Porsche Cayman?
The Porsche Cayman has 14 known issues across 4 severity levels. The most serious are: IMS bearing failure (987.1), Bore scoring (rare but possible on S), Oil starvation on track use.
Is the Porsche Cayman reliable?
The Porsche Cayman has 4 dangerous and 4 major known issues. Most can be avoided with a thorough pre-purchase check and full service history.
How much does it cost to fix Porsche Cayman problems?
Costs vary by issue. Independent garages are typically 30-50% cheaper than main dealers for most repairs.
Which Porsche Cayman generation is most reliable?
The 718 (2016–2023) has the fewest dangerous issues (0). However, condition and service history matter more than generation — a well-maintained earlier car can be more reliable than a neglected newer one.