2016 Porsche Cayman Safety Report
2016 Porsche Cayman Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Porsche Cayman
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Porsche Cayman. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (7) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Exterior Lighting | Compare exterior lighting issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Porsche Cayman with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Porsche Cayman before buying across this generation. |
Porsche Cayman Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Porsche Cayman years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Porsche Cayman | 4 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Porsche Cayman | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Porsche Cayman Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Porsche Cayman, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Exterior Lighting
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Porsche onlySteering,Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Porsche onlyVisibility/Wiper
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Porsche onlyAir Bags
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Porsche onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Porsche onlyElectrical System,Air Bags,Seat Belts
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Air Bags,Seat Belts issues Porsche onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Porsche Cayman
Reliability Score
The 2016 Porsche Cayman receives a reliability score of 87 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2016 Porsche Cayman
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Porsche Cayman:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Control Unit Fault A faulty TRW Automotive airbag control unit was identified in 2016 Porsche Cayman models, potentially leading to airbag failure. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Tail Lamp Cracks Tail lamps are prone to hairline cracks, which can cause electrical system short circuits. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Stall Issues Engine may stall when stopped if not in sport mode, due to confusing oil level display. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Windshield Washer Hose Breakage Windshield washer hose can break at the hood hinge, reducing visibility. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Porsche Cayman:
Tail lamps are prone to hairline cracks, leading to electrical system short circuits.
Engine may stall when stopped if not in sport mode, due to confusing oil level display.
Windshield washer hose can break at the hood hinge, reducing visibility.
Faulty airbag control unit poses a risk of airbag failure.
Recall Details for the 2016 Porsche Cayman
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2016 Porsche Cayman by NHTSA:
Summary: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2016-2017 911 and Boxster, 2016 Cayman and Panamera vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Consequence: Deactivated air bags increase the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 13, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB4.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Porsche Cayman
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Porsche Cayman with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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.
Engine stalls when stopped if not in sport mode. Electronic gauge display for oil level is confusing and shows low oil level in green, causing the user to add oil when it is full. Steering rubs and knocks when turning.
Windshield washer hose has snapped at the hood hinge which is preventing clearing of the windsheild of debris and obscuring forward visibility. This part was replaced by the dealer in 2016 during the first annual service for reasons unknown to me and has now failed.
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 fai...
THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ADJUSTER SPROCKET BOLTS HAVE A TENDENCY TO SHEAR UNDER HIGH LOAD. THIS IS A DOCUMENTED ISSUE THAT WAS ALSO COMMON IN SEVERAL OTHER PORSCHE MODELS OF SIMILAR PRODUCTION YEAR RANGES. THE VALVETRAIN LOSES TIMING, RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHICH DISABLES A VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED SUCH A FAILURE AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO "LIMP MODE." ALL THE VALV...
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...
2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN HAS AN ERROR CODE 'C11005 ? AIRBAG TRIGGERING UNIT, FAULTY' AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED BUT THIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN PORSCHE'S RECALL (AKB4) CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. PORSCHE HAS NOT CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED THE RECALL POPULATION OF 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN CARS AFFECTED BY MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER AKB4 (TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL 2019353 & NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 19V-533) AND SHO...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Porsche Cayman
Has the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN have?
The 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN has 7 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN?
The 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN involve exterior lighting (1 complaints), steering,unknown or other,fuel/propulsion system (1 complaints), visibility/wiper (1 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, engine, electrical system,air bags,seat belts.
How many crash reports does the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN.
Should I buy a 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 7 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN are: 1. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints), 2. STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints), 3. VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (1 complaints), 5. ENGINE (1 complaints). EXTERIOR LIGHTING is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN?
Consider the potential for airbag failure and electrical system issues when purchasing a 2016 Porsche Cayman. The 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN has 7 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN?
The 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 7 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbag Control Unit Fault and Tail Lamp Cracks.
What are the known issues with the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN?
Known issues with the 2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN include: Airbag Control Unit Fault, Tail Lamp Cracks, Engine Stall Issues, Windshield Washer Hose Breakage. These are based on patterns found across 7 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any known issues with the airbags in the 2016 Porsche Cayman?
Yes, a faulty airbag control unit was identified, potentially leading to airbag failure.
What are the engine stalling issues in the 2016 Porsche Cayman?
The engine may stall when stopped if not in sport mode due to a confusing oil level display.
Can the windshield washer hose break in the 2016 Porsche Cayman?
Yes, the windshield washer hose can break at the hood hinge, reducing visibility.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Consider the potential for airbag failure and electrical system issues when purchasing a 2016 Porsche Cayman.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Porsche Cayman
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Porsche Cayman. The data includes 7 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16