DecodedCars2012 Porsche Cayman
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Two Seaters
- Body styles
- Base/S/R/Black Edition 2dr Coupe RWD
- Engines
- 2.9L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 171.3 in
- Curb weight
- 2,976 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Porsche Cayman is a two seaters offered with 2 engines (2.9L 6-cyl and 3.4L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 171 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 95-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,976 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 29 highway), 11% better than the 2012 two seaters average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Cayman — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Cayman →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base/S/R/Black Edition 2dr Coupe RWD | 171.3 in | 70.9 in | 51.2 in | 94.9 in | 58.3 / 59.1 in | 2,976 lb | 45/55 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayman | 2.9L 6-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | +11% | $3,550 | 386 |
| Cayman R | 3.4L 6-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | +11% | $3,550 | 386 |
| Cayman S | 3.4L 6-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | +11% | $3,550 | 386 |
| Cayman | 2.9L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | +6% | $3,750 | 404 |
| Cayman R | 3.4L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | +6% | $3,750 | 404 |
| Cayman S | 3.4L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | +1% | $3,900 | 423 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Porsche Cayman.
Similar 2012 two seaterss
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Porsche Cayman (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Porsche 911 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Porsche Boxster | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 BMW Z4 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Audi TT Roadster | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Seat Belts · Aug 5, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V409000 · 235 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT BE ROUTED OPTIMALLY AROUND THE OCCUPANT, OR MAY POTENTIALLY LOOSEN AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.
- Fix
- PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT ANCHORS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.
Not every 2012 Porsche Cayman is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Porsche Cayman buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 2 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,990 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Porsche Cayman. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Cayman years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Cayman | 24 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 Cayman | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 Cayman | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 Cayman | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 Cayman | 25 | 172.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 Cayman | 25 | 172.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 4 |
| 2014 Cayman | 25 | 172.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 5 |
| 2011 Cayman | 23 | 171.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2010 Cayman | 24 | 171.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2009 Cayman | 24 | 171.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 Cayman | 23 | 171.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 Cayman | 23 | 171.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Porsche. How we calculate this →