Porsche

718 (987)

2005-2012 · Sports Car · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.4)
64 NHTSA Complaints
2 Recalls
1 Fire Reports
3 Crash Reports
Includes data from: BOXSTERBOXSTER SBOXSTER SPYDERCAYMANCAYMAN RCAYMAN S
View all 4 generations of the Porsche 718 → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

M97.21

3.4L 6-cyl / 295 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.0)
24 complaints 4.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
12
cooling
8
transmission
7
wheels tires
2
brakes
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (12 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (8 complaints)
Transmission Issues (7 complaints)

Same engine used in

Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

Porsche 718 Unidentified Engine

Recommended (4.0)
8 complaints 1.6 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
cooling
2
electrical
2
brakes
2
other
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (2 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)

2.9-V6-Gas

2.9L 6-cyl / 265 hp
Recommended (3.9)
4 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
3
engine
2
body
1
cooling
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (3 complaints)
Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Porsche 718 regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (30 complaints)
engine critical
Transmission Issues (19 complaints)
transmission critical
Cooling System Issues (18 complaints)
cooling critical

Recalls (2)

11V409000May 7, 2011serious
Seat Belts

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.

10V125000Mar 29, 2010serious
Visibility

PORSCHE HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BOXSTER SPYDER 2 DOOR CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE LOCKING HOOK ON THE SUN SHIELD (TEMPORARY SOFT TOP) MAY NOT ENGAGE CORRECTLY INTO THE LOCK CATCH WHICH IS POSITIONED ON THE WINDSCREEN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2005-2012 Porsche 718 problems?

The 2005-2012 Porsche 718 has accumulated 64 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Transmission, Cooling System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Porsche 718 engine is most reliable?

The 2005-2012 Porsche 718 was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.7L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2005-2012 Porsche 718 a good used car?

The 2005-2012 Porsche 718 can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 64 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2012 Porsche 718 have?

The 2005-2012 Porsche 718 has 64 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2005-2012 Porsche 718?

There are 2 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2005-2012 Porsche 718 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Porsche 718?

Before buying a used Porsche 718, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Transmission, Cooling System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the 718 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2005-2012 Porsche 718. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 64 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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