2017 Porsche 718 Cayman

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

The passenger side (right rear) inside CV joint grease boot clamp failed and leaked grease. I discovered it while switching out Winter to Summer tires. I have included pictures. In researching the defect I found that it is a common occurrence with the Porsche 718 Cayman and occurs with low mileage. I believe the clamp was defective or not installed correctly during the assembly process. If I didn’t catch the leak it could have resulted in a drive axle failure and breakdown on the road endangering myself or other vehicles. My car is not tracked and is used for pleasure driving. Because I caught the leak early the Porsche dealer was able to install a new clamp. I have included the repair invoice. There were no warning messages indicating the clamp failure. My car is maintained yearly by my dealer. In addition, during my research, I read that low mileage water pump failure is also a common occurrence with 718 Cayman’s.

NHTSA ID

11731699

Incident

Apr 9, 2026

seat belt will not retracted back it stays completly loose.

NHTSA ID

11455256

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

I have a Porsche 718 Cayman [XXX] I purchase this vehicle October 16, 2020 with only 1,500 miles on the odometer from Porsche of Tucson 4690 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85711. Purchase Porsche extended platinum warranty for 96/100,000 miles. My passenger side 3- point seatbelt will not retract back properly. This is definitely a safety issue for the passenger. I set up an appointment to have it fix with the Porsche of Tucson dealership. I was told that it would not be covered under the platinum warranty. The odometer mileage I have now on my Porsche 718 Cayman is 13,685. I believe it should be covered due to a safety issue and especially with low mileage on the Porsche 718 Cayman with passenger seat belt not retracting back it stays loose on the passenger when seat belt is on. As a driver I never sit in the passenger side and just recently notice the belt being twisted and not properly aligned when my passenger complaint about belt. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11451104

Incident

Oct 16, 2020

I SUSTAINED SERIOUS BURNS TO MY CALF FROM MY THE EXHAUSTS ON MY 2014 BOXSTER S, AND MY 2017 CAYMAN, ON TWO OCCASIONS. BOTH CARS SUFFER FROM THE SAME DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT: AN EXCESSIVELY PROTRUDING CENTRAL EXHAUST PIPE. THE FIRST INJURY WAS SUSTAINED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2017, WHEN I LEANED AGAINST MY 2014 BOXSTER S, AND THE REAR OF MY CALF MADE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE PROTRUDING EXHAUST PIPE. THE SECOND INJURY OCCURRED ON AUGUST 11, 2018, WHEN I PLACED A SUITCASE IN THE TRUNK OF MY 2017 718 CAYMAN, AND THE FRONT OF MY CALF TOUCHED THE EXHAUST. THE 718/BOXSTER S EXHAUSTS ARE UNREASONABLY DANGEROUS AS IT IS EXTREMELY EASY, EVEN WHEN BEING VERY CAREFUL, TO INADVERTENTLY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE HOT PIPES. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE PURPORTED 'WARNINGS' IN THE OWNERS' MANUALS, THEY ARE INSUFFICIENT AND FLAT-OUT ABSURD, AS THEY CANNOT BE ADHERED TO IF ONE USES THE TRUNK. I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS PATENTLY DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

11140061

Incident

Aug 11, 2018

Mileage

14,000 mi

BOTH HEADLIGHTS GET FOGGY CONDENSATION DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOSE AND MAKING RATTLING NOISE WINDSHIELD WIPER HAS POOR CONTACT WITH FRONT WINDSHIELD. POOR VISIBILITY ON RAINY DAY

NHTSA ID

11098046

Incident

May 26, 2018

Mileage

100 mi

Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.300.000

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

PCCM+ 9x1.I

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

Warranty Information: Warranty Extension for Transmission Electronics Control Unit (18/26)

Allocation of Approved Engine Oils MY 2027 (13/26)