2011 Porsche CAYENNE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
64,509 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 30 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 13.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
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 | 12 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Engine: 12; Power Train: 11; Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 12 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 7; 2023: 4; 2024: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10894489 · 2016-08-09 (August 9, 2016)
THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASING REPORTS OF VARIOCAM CAMSHAFT DRIVE BOLT FAILURES ON THE 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE V8 ENGINES. WHEN THESE BOLTS FAIL, ENGINE DAMAGE OCCURS, AND THE ENGINE TYPICALLY STOPS RUNNING. IN THE CASE OF THE TURBO MODEL - THIS CAN ALSO RESULT IN THE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY SINCE THE BRAKES ARE POWERED OFF A CAMSHAFT. THERE IS ALSO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING - MEANING YOU HAVE A 4,500LB VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKES OR STEERING. PORSCHE HAD A LIMITED "WORKSHOP CAMPAIGN" FOR THESE VEHICLES THAT ADDRESSED A CERTAIN RANGE OF VIN# IN THE U…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10894489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995406 · 2017-06-15 (June 15, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR ALL OF SUDDEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES. CAR IS SHOWING VARIOUS FAULT CODES AND BRAKES STOPPED WORKING WHICH COUOLD HAVE CREATED MAJOR RISK TO DRIVER AND OTHER PEDENSTRIAN AND VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. ENGINE IS SHOWING VARIOUS MIS FIRE CODES AND CAME SHAFT RELATED CODES. IT IS TOO RISKY TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY PORSCHE DEALER AND IS UP TO DATE WITH ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANNCE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND MUST BE ATTENDED IMME…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10725799 · 2015-06-17 (June 17, 2015)
TRANSFER CASE ISSUE IS RESULTING IN A JERKY VEHICLE. THIS IS PART OF THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND OVER TIME WILL CAUSE WEAR IN FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIALS OF AN AWD VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10725799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11324569 · 2020-05-14 (May 14, 2020)
TRANSFER CASE WHILE DRIVING STARTED JERKING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.. IT HAS SLOWLY GOTTEN WORSE AND HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS I ALMOST HAVE GOT INTO A FEW ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE SURGE IN SUDDEN JERKS. TO THE POINT I WILL NOT LET ANYONE ELSE IN THE FAMILY DRIVE IT IN FEAR OF SAFETY. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW $5,000 TRANSFER CASE. A LOCAL PORSCHE SHOP TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S ISSUE AND VERY COMMON IN THESE CARS - DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TRANSFER CASE AND CAN BE DANGEROUS, BUT NO RECALL (KNOWN) SO F…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11324569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11011342 · 2017-07-28 (July 28, 2017)
THE BOLTS ON THE CAMSHAFT CONTROLLER BROKE INSIDE OF MY ENGINE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON THE 405 FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES, CA. THE CAR VIOLENTLY JERKED AND THEN STALLED ON THE FREEWAY. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT, BUT THANKFULLY EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO AVOID MY CAR. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY A FEW REPAIR SHOPS THAT THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE LOOSE BOLTS LIKELY DAMAGED THE ENGINES INTERNAL COMPONENTS AND I WILL LIKELY BE NEEDING A NEW ENGINE OR AN OVERHAUL OF THE EXISTING ENGINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11011342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11055490 · 2017-12-19 (December 19, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PORSCHE OF SILVER SPRING IN SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11055490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11521031 · 2023-05-08 (May 8, 2023)
The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne. The contact noticed that the smoke light stop functioning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the fuse for the smoke light was replaced. On another occasion, the contact noticed that the passenger-side headlight to the vehicle stop functioning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the light bulb was replaced but the failure reoccurred, and the passenger side headlight light bulb was replaced. On another occasion, the air condition stops functioning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11521031 at NHTSA ↗