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Research · Two Seaters

2012 Porsche Cayman RRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for the 2012 Porsche Cayman R. Most complaints involve engine (1). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2011
Owner complaints
1
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Aug 5, 2011NHTSA 11V409000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2015 – Jul 2015
  1. Engine1
  2. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cayman R model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

1 report
“I WAS DRIVING TODAY ON 4TH OF JULY AT 10 MILES AN HOUR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND IT STOP ALL OF THE SUDDEN. ME, MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER PUSHED IT BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AS I WAS BLOCKING ONE WAY EGRESS FOR THE NEIGHBOURS AND THEIR POSSIBLE GUESTS FOR JULY 4TH. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FAILED, I GUESS IT IS SHIFT CABLE BROKE. IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE BUSY HIGHWAY, THIS FAILURE COULD KILL ME AND OTHER DRIVERS WHO COULD BE DRIVING BEHIND. JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ON 5/31/15 FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER LEASING IT FOR 3 YEARS. WHILE PUSHING THE CAR BACK I HURT MY BACK EVEN MORE THEN IT WAS PRIOR. 7/4/15”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2015Unknown or other, EngineODI 10731946
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 7-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cayman R
Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202923$3,450386
Cayman R
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192622$3,600404
  • Cayman R
    Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Cayman R
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Porsche Cayman R as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 6196
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Cayman R questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Cayman R have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Porsche Cayman R problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Porsche Cayman R get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Porsche Cayman R at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026