Research · Two Seaters

2016 Porsche Cayman SRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2016 Porsche Cayman S. Most complaints involve air bags (3) and seat belts (2). The EPA rates it 22–24 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–24mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
7
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Porsche Cayman S as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2020 – Sep 2024
  1. Air bags3
  2. Seat belts2
  3. Exterior lighting1
  4. Steering1
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1
  6. Visibility/wiper1
  7. Engine1
  8. Electrical system1
  9. 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 S model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200612
20115
20154
20167
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

Air bags

3 reports
“TRW Automotive Inc. Airbag Control Unit (Part No. 218737-124 RI; Serial No. 11050089RI; Produced: April 20, 2015) was equipped in 2016 Porsche Cayman VIN [XXX] by Porsche (Vehicle Production Date: June 29, 2015). In 2019, TRW recalled the aforementioned ACU in NHTSA 19E-043. In 2019, in response to the TRW recall, Porsche recalled 2016 Porsche Caymans in NHTSA 19V-533 but Porsche & the NHTSA failed to include 2016 Porsche Cayman VIN [XXX] (Vehicle Production Date: June 29, 2015) from this recall by setting an incorrect production date bracket starting at July 8, 2015 which is at least 9 days too late. The ACU failed during normal operation of the vehicle on February 1, 2020.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2022Air bagsODI 11451121

Seat belts

2 reports
“PORSCHE HAS IDENTIFIED A PREVIOUSLY UNREPORTED FAULTY AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT SERIAL NUMBER 11050089RI EQUIPPED IN THE 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN IN JUNE 2015 BY PORSCHE AG MERE DAYS BEFORE THE PRODUCTION DATE BRACKET START OF JULY 8, 2015 FOR MANUFACTURER RECALL AKB4. THE 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN WAS ORDERED AS A CUSTOM SPECIFICATION 2015 PORSCHE CAYMAN IN EARLY 2015 HOWEVER, WHILE WAITING FOR THE CAR, THE OWNER WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER THAT DELAYS HAVE PUSHED YOUR DELIVERY DATE BACKBUT YOU WILL RECEIVE A 2016 MODELTHE FACTORY IS GOING TO PRODUCE THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEIR SUMMER BREAK AND YOULL HAVE IT IN JULY 2015 BUT IT WILL BE A 2016 CAYMAN. THE 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN IS A JULY 2015 PARTS BIN VEHICLE ASSEMBLED WITH FAULTY AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT SERIAL NUMBER 11050089RI IN JUNE 2015 BY PORSCHE AG. WITH COMPONENT SUPPLIER CORRECTIVE ACTION OCCURRING DURING WEEK 38 OF 2015 (MID-SEPTEMBER 2015) PORSCHE AG INSTALLED FAULTY AIRBAG TRIGGERING UNIT SERIAL NUMBER 11050089RI IN THE 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN. THIS IS EVIDENT BY SCAN RESULTS PERFORMED ON THE 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN DISPLAYING FAILURE CODE: C11005 AIRBAG TRIGGERING UNIT, FAULTY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2020Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11342230

Exterior lighting

1 report
“Tail lamps are prone to hairline cracks difficult to see, when driven in rain or car wash tail lamp floods and causes electrical system to short circuit resulting in death or accident in inclement weather due to low visibility.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11614898
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 (AM-S7) · 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 S
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300372
Cayman S
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202722$3,600397
  • Cayman S
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cayman S
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
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 2016 Porsche Cayman S as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 10865
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

2016 Cayman S questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Porsche Cayman S have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.

What are the most common 2016 Porsche Cayman S problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (3), seat belts (2), exterior lighting (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Porsche Cayman S get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Porsche Cayman S at 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026