The 2013 Cayman (981 generation, pre-718 designation) with the 2.7L flat-six is generally solid, but the MA1.21 engine suffers from well-documented bore scoring and IMS bearing issues inherited from earlier designs. When these engines fail, they fail catastrophically and expensively.
Cylinder Bore Scoring / Lokasil Cylinder Failure
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive oil consumption (more than 1qt per 1,000 mi), cold-start smoke from exhaust, metallic rattling on cold start, loss of compression in one or more cylinders, check engine light with misfire codes
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or replacement required. Cylinders must be re-sleeved or block replaced. Includes removing engine, machine work, new pistons, rings, bearings. 40-60 hours labor depending on shop approach. Many opt for factory reman or used low-mile engine swap.
Estimated cost: $15,000-25,000
Intermediate Shaft (IMS) Bearing Failure
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: metallic grinding or whining from engine, metal shavings in oil, sudden catastrophic engine failure, oil leaks at rear main seal area
Fix: By 2013 the single-row IMS bearing design was supposedly improved, but failures still occur. Requires engine-out service, IMS bearing replacement, rear main seal, clutch while you're in there. 25-35 hours labor. Some owners do preventive replacement.
Estimated cost: $4,000-7,000
Coolant Expansion Tank Cracking
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant smell in cabin or engine bay, visible coolant leak at passenger side of engine, low coolant warning light, steam from engine bay
Fix: Plastic expansion tank becomes brittle and cracks at mounting tabs or seams. Replace tank, pressure test system, bleed coolant. 2-3 hours labor. Common enough that many shops stock the part.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Transmission Oil Cooler Lines Leaking
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid spots under car, burnt transmission fluid smell, hard shifting when cold, transmission temperature warnings
Fix: Hard lines and rubber hoses at transmission cooler corrode or crack. Requires lifting vehicle, replacing cooler lines, refilling with correct Porsche transmission fluid, bleeding system. 3-4 hours labor. Inspect entire cooler assembly for leaks.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Engine and Transmission Mounts Deteriorating
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking when shifting or accelerating hard, excessive engine movement visible from engine bay, vibration at idle, drivetrain shudder on takeoff
Fix: Hydraulic engine and transmission mounts wear out. Replace both engine mounts and transmission mount as a set. Engine must be supported, mounts unbolted and swapped. 4-5 hours labor for all three.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
PDK Transmission Mechatronic Unit Failure (PDK models)
Rare · high severitySymptoms: harsh or delayed shifts, transmission fault warnings, car stuck in one gear or neutral, limp mode activation, complete loss of drive
Fix: Mechatronic sleeve seals leak or solenoids fail internally. Unit must be removed, repaired or replaced. Dealer-only repair in most cases. 8-12 hours labor plus expensive parts. Some units can be rebuilt by specialists.
Estimated cost: $6,000-10,000
Buy only with comprehensive pre-purchase inspection including borescope and oil analysis—budget $5k-10k reserve for when (not if) something expensive breaks, but the driving experience is worth it if you accept the risk.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.