2004 Porsche CAYENNE S: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 37 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 48 complaints (14.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 6 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 3 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Power Train: 7; Electrical System: 6; Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Tires: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 11 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 | 4 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 8 |
2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 6; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 6; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 8
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
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 10064021 · 2004-03-27 (March 27, 2004)
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH 3 OF THE 4 DOORS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. MY RIGHT REAR DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT TIMES FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR REPAIR AND PORSHE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT. ON 2 OF THE OTHER DOORS, SOMETIMES THE OUTER DOOR HANDLES REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION AND DO NOT RETRACT AFTER OPENING THE DOOR, OFTEN LEADING TO THE DOOR REOPENING WHEN YOU GO TO CLOSE IT. IN ADDITION, SOMETIMES THE REAR HATCH DOES NOT UNLOCK AT TIMES. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE BY 2 PORSCHE DEALERSHIPS THAT THEY HAVE B…
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078292 · 2004-06-15 (June 15, 2004)
AFTER 7500 MILES, TIRES ARE BALD. PORSCHE REPRESENTATIVE CLAIMS THIS AS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. OTHER INDEPENDENT/LISCENSED MECHANICS ALL CONCUR THAT THE TIRES ARE BALD AT 7500 MILES. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY WITH PCNA, REGIONAL REP AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATE THAT BALD TIRES AT 7500 MILES ARE NORMAL.THE TIRES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY INFLATED, AND NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10078292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104724 · 2004-12-29 (December 29, 2004)
I OWN A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE S AND FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP THE CAR HAS A SERIOUS HESITATION PROBLEM WHEN ACCELERATING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT THE PORSCHE DEALERSHIP (MCKENNA IN NORWALK, CA) AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT. MANY, MANY CAYENNE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND PORSCHE REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR-MISS COLLISIONS BECAUSE OF THE CARS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. PLEASE HELP AND LET ME KNOW THE STATUS OF THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10104724 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110554 · 2005-02-15 (February 15, 2005)
VEHICLE HESITATES 1 - 2 SECONDS BEFORE RESPONDING TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL INPUT. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS OR CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110554 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 10137463 · 2005-10-20 (October 20, 2005)
DT: THE AIR BAG AND THE CHECK LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SERVICE THE CAR UNTIL 10/17/2005. CALLED PORSCHE CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD HELP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND HE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137463 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
9 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V351000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2003-09-24 (September 24, 2003)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) AND GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AS REQUIRED BY PART 567.4(G)(3) AND (G)(4).
Consequence: THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE INFORMED OF THE VEHICLE'S GVWR AND GAWR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL APPLY THE CORRECTED LABEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V069000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 2004-02-18 (February 18, 2004)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED. DAMAGE TO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS CAN LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.
Consequence: IN EXTREME CASES, TO A CABLE FIRE BENEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V071000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2004-02-18 (February 18, 2004)
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD A TRANSFER CASE INSTALLED THAT COULD, DUE TO CHANGES IN THE HOUSING CASTING, RESULT IN THE OIL PUMP ROTATION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, OIL STARVATION OF THE INTERNAL GEARS MIGHT RESULT.
Consequence: CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING. INCORRECT TORQUE WOULD THEN BE APPLIED TO THE DRIVEN WHEELS OR OIL COULD LEAK AND CONTACT THE TIRES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V072000 · Seats
Reported: 2004-02-18 (February 18, 2004)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAMES WERE NOT ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT FRAME COULD BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V231000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 2004-05-17 (May 17, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT IS INSUFFICIENT RIVETED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BELT BUCKLE LATCH AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V593000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2004-12-15 (December 15, 2004)
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." ALL THREE REAR SEAT POSITIONS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER POSITION ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT HAVE A LOCKING FEATURE WHICH CONVERTS THE RETRACTOR FROM AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE TO AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION. THE BELT MAY DEACTIVATE THE ALR MODE WITH CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINTS.
Consequence: WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY INSTALL A CLIP IN EITHER OF THE AFFECTED REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS AND PROVIDE AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT. THE CLIPS WILL PREVENT UNWARRANTED CONVERSION FROM ALR TO ELR MODE WITH CHILD SEAT INSTALLATION. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 17, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V576000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2017-09-20 (September 20, 2017)
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles, 2004-2006 Cayenne vehicles, and 2006 Cayenne S "Titanium" Edition vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH10.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V446000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 2019-06-12 (June 12, 2019)
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Consequence: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V656000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2022-08-30 (August 30, 2022)
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
NHTSA campaign record ↗