Porsche CAYENNE S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
105 owner complaints analyzed
15 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2024 model years. Data snapshot: . 85 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 105 complaints (22.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 24 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 |
| Tires | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
Engine: 24; Power Train: 18; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling: 10; Tires: 8; Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 5; Exterior Lighting: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 23 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 23; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 6
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2009: 4; 2010: 5; 2011: 10; 2012: 6; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 6; 2017: 11; 2018: 21; 2019: 6; 2021: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10048966 · 2003-12-24 (December 24, 2003)
THIS VEHICLE IS A PORSCHE CAYENNE WHICH IS NOT ON YOUR LIST OF VEHICLE MAKE. THIS VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND WIRING PROBLEMS. FACTORY AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SERVICE CO, THOROUGHBRED MOTORCARS, AND DISTRIBUTOR, PORSCHE CARS OF NORTH AMERICA HAVE FAILED TO ADDRESS OR CORRECT DEFECTS IN VEHICLE THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE. *AK THE REAR HATCH DID NOT OPEN FULLY UPON RELEASE OF THE LATCH, BRAKES PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND WOULD GET WORSE WHEN HOT OR WET, PARKING LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, BRAKES GR…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059909 · 2004-02-27 (February 27, 2004)
VEHICLE FAILED ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS TO INITIATE ABS STEERING TO STAY IN LANE ON SNOW PACKED ROAD ON DOWNHILL GRADE. BRAKES INITIALLY GRABBED AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT REACT TO DRIVER INPUT TO OBTAIN STEERING CONTROL DURING PROLONGED SLIDE. VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED AS SOLD WITHOUT MODIFICATIONS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136709 · 2005-09-02 (September 2, 2005)
2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE: REAR HATCH LID ADJUSTED, DOME LIGHT COVERS REPLACED, AUDIO UNIT REPLACED, ETC...***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AND BANGED AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE DEALER UPDATED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED STALLING PROBLEMS. THE REMOTE ENTRY REMOTE LOST IT'S PROGRAMMING AND HAD A POOR SIGNAL. AT TIME ALL THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THE REAR HATCH LIGHT W…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,047 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139489 · 2005-10-12 (October 12, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT SLOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL FEEL AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER IT IS WARMER OR COLDER TEMPERATURES. THE SERVICE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, , BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. THE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM INCLUDED, UPDATING AND THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,003 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274238 · 2009-06-18 (June 18, 2009)
FAILURE OF DRIVESHAFT AND TRANSMISSION 6 YEAR HISTORY OF "HESITATION" WHENEVER CAR ACCELERATED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11055672 · 2017-12-20 (December 20, 2017)
DEAR SIR/ MADAM THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER OF NOVEMBER 29, 2017, REGARDING RECALL OF OUR VEHICLE PORSCHE CAYENNE S #[XXX] (RECALL # 17V-576). PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED WITH THE FUEL PUMP IN THE VEHICLE, I HAD TO REPLACE THE PUMPS RH AND LH, WITH REQUIRED ACCESSORIES. A TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR, INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR, WAS $2,640. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THE ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT, OR I SHOULD STILL NEED ADDITIONAL REPAIR. ALSO LET ME KNOW IF YOU COULD BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE THE TOTAL OR PARTIAL COST OF THE ABOVE REPAIR.…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11055672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111825 · 2018-07-17 (July 17, 2018)
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR FILTER FLANGE OF FUEL PUMP. CALLED DEALER WHO SAID DID NOT HAVE REPAIR PARTS AND DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GET THEM. CALLED PORSCHE U.S. AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. NO DATE FOR RECEIVING PARTS OR REPAIRING MY CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11111825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10284245 · 2009-09-17 (September 17, 2009)
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS (LEFT, RIGHT AND HIGH MOUNTED) REMAIN LIT AT ALL TIMES, AS DOES THE REAR RIGHT AND LEFT FOG LIGHTS. TURNING LIGHTS ON OR OFF HAS NO EFFECT. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS NO EFFECT. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED RANDOMLY AND INCONSISTENTLY AND WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN UNOCCUPIED AND UNATTENDED AS WELL AS WHILE DRIVING. WHILE UNATTENDED, THE LIGHTS COMING ON DRAINS THE BATTERY AND CAN STRAND THE DRIVER. IF PROBLEM OCCURS AND THE BATTERY IS NOT DRAINED, THE DRIVER MAY BE WHOLLY UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND MAY DRIVE WITH THE BRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284245 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2024: 1