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MotorFiable

Skyactiv-G vs Porsche MA1 / 9A1: which engine is more reliable?

The Skyactiv-G and the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 tie on our risk index: 25/100 (moderate risk). The Skyactiv-G has no documented serious faults; the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented».

Risk index

Skyactiv-G

25

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Risk index

Porsche MA1 / 9A1

25

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

18 sourcesHow we work

Is the Skyactiv-G reliable?

The Skyactiv-G is a naturally aspirated petrol engine that the German specialist press consistently describes as reliable, with no documented pattern of serious engine faults in any Mazda model reviewed. Its weak point, shared with almost any direct-injection petrol engine, is carbon build-up in the intake; in addition, 2017-2020 units had recalls for software and for the fuel pump, since fixed by the manufacturer.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the Skyactiv-G faults

Is the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 reliable?

Yes, it is noticeably more reliable than the M96/M97: it eliminated the intermediate shaft with its IMS bearing and, according to FCP Euro, the connecting rod bolt failures. What is documented is minor: carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection, coolant pump leaks on the 991.1 and, rarely, bore scoring on the 997.2.[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Skyactiv-G and Porsche MA1 / 9A1
Skyactiv-GPorsche MA1 / 9A1
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power75–187 hp255–400 hp
Productionsince 2011[1][9]2009–2016[5][8][10][11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Intake shut-off valve software issue and engine stalling
  2. Medium severity: Micro-cracks in the fuel pump impeller
  3. Medium severity: ECU programming and loss of power (CX-5 II and Mazda3 IV)
  1. Critical severity: Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection
  3. Medium severity: Leaks from the electronically controlled coolant pumps of the 991.1 and the plastic water pump
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 3.6 Carrera 345 hp (MA1.02, 2009-2012)[5][7][8]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 385 hp (MA1.01, 2009-2012)[7][8]
  • 2.9 Boxster/Cayman 255-265 hp (MA1.20, 2009-2012, no direct injection)[6][10]
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S 310-320 hp (MA1.21/.22, 2009-2012, direct injection)[6][17]
  • 3.4 Carrera 350 hp (MA1.04, 2011-2015)[7]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 400 hp (MA1.03, 2011-2015)[7]
  • 2.7 Boxster/Cayman 265-275 hp (MA1.22, 2012-2016)[17][18]
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S / GTS 315-340 hp (MA1.23, 2012-2016)[17][18]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Skyactiv-G

See the 9 models with the Skyactiv-G

Porsche MA1 / 9A1

Other comparisons

With the Skyactiv-G

With the Porsche MA1 / 9A1

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. SkyactivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Mazda 3 (BM/BN, 2013-2019) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. Mazda 6 (GJ, III) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Mazda CX-5 II (KF) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. The Definitive Guide To Porsche 997 Engines (M96.05, M97, MA1)FCP Euro · Other source · published 16 January 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Porsche 987: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · published 1 November 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Porsche 911: 5 Generationen im Gebrauchtwagen-CheckAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 22 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  8. Porsche 997Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. List of Mazda enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (987)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Porsche 991Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (981)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Differences between M96 and M97 enginesFlat Six Innovations · Other source · published 25 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. List of Porsche enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. Mazda 2 (DJ) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. Mazda 3 IV (BP) – Erfahrungen & ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  17. Porsche Cayman and Boxster Common Problems: A Specialist Field GuideForeign Automotive · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. Porsche 981: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026