RoadVitals

2012 Porsche Cayenne S

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Mar 1, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 30, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 412 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)583.3%
  • Engine116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V656000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 30, 2022
222,858 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.Manufacturer number ANB4View on NHTSA.gov
12V065000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Feb 21, 2012
20,278 units potentially affected
The defect: PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CAYENNE, CAYENNE S, CAYENNE S HYBRID, AND CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 8, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2012 BECAUSE THE HEADLAMPS MAY COME LOOSE AND DETACH FROM THE FENDER.
The risk: A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP LOCKING ASSEMBLIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.
PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number AC01View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 1, 2019
Crash reportedFire reported

WHEN DRIVING CAR, IT FEELS ROUGH AND IS HARD TO ACCELERATE SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE. THE TRANSFER CASE SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM AND IS COMMON AMONG THESE CARS. IT'S UNSAFE AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY .

NHTSA ID
11183519
Incident
Feb 28, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 28, 2019

THE TRANSFER CASE HAS GONE OUT FOR THE 4TH TIME SINCE IF WENT OVER 50K, AT LOW SPEEDS ITS CLUNKY AND DRAGS AND BUMPY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. I FOUND OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM MUTLI TIMES AS MYSELF AND THIS IS NOT CHEAP TO FIX. THE DEALER KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT HELP WITH COST

NHTSA ID
11183067
Incident
Jan 8, 2019
Mileage
102,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 27, 2018

TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. CARE CLUNKS/DRAGS IN LOW GEARS.

NHTSA ID
11163757
Incident
Dec 26, 2018
Mileage
79,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 10, 2018

THE PORSCHE DEALER INFORMED ME THE BUMPING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING IS THE TRANSFER CASE. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL 2012 CAYENNE CARS. THE TRANSFER CASE WILL MAKE THE BUMPING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. IT WILL EVENTUALLY SLIP TO THE DANGEROUS POINT. THIS IS WHEN YOU ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSFER CASE ONLY SLIPS AND LEAVES THE SITTING IN TRAFFIC UNABLE TO MOVE. THE REPAIR IS $5000 AND REPLACES THE TRANSFER CASE. THE NEW TRANSFER CASE CORRECTS THE DESIGN FLAW. THE FLAW WAS IN THE TRANSFER CASE VENTS THAT WOULD ALLOW WATER TO BUILD UP IN THE CASE. THE NEW CASE COMES WITH VENT TUBES INSTALLED SO THE CASE CAN VENT PROPERLY AND WATER DOESN'T BUILD UP IN THE TRANSFER CASE FLUID. IT IS A SHAME THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS BETWEEN 30,000 AND 80,000 MILES. IF I PAY $60, 000 -$100,000 FOR A CAR I WOULD EXPECT TO GET PAST 100,000 MILES BEFORE A MAJOR REPAIR. HOPEFULLY I DON'T GET KILLED IN TRAFFIC WHEN IT STARTS SLIPPING MORE.

NHTSA ID
11157213
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Mileage
85,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 3, 2018

FAULTY TRANSFER CASE THE CAR HAD A BUMPY AND VIOLENT SHUDDER AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. FEELS LIKE MISFIRING AND THEN GRINDING AND THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. IT WAS DANGEROUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC. I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND WITH A SIMPLE EXPLANATION THEY DIAGNOSED IT OVER THE PHONE. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THESE TRANSFER CASES WERE FAILING REGULARLY AND THAT THE PARTS WERE REDESIGNED AND EVEN STOCKED IN THE DEALERSHIP SINCE IT HAPPENS SO REGULARLY. WITH A BASIC SEARCH OF THE INTERNET IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND THAT PORSCHE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE DESIGN FLAW BUT THEY ARE NOT CHOOSING TO RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHETHER THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT.

NHTSA ID
11058321
Incident
Dec 26, 2017
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT

NHTSA ID
11054502
Incident
Jun 22, 2017

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSTR 2642

Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.300.000

SPTL 2607a

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

SPTL 2607

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

13/26

ENGINE

Allocation of Approved Engine Oils MY 2027 (13/26)

TSTR 2641

PiUS Update Information Software Version: 3.2

TSTR 2641

PiUS Update Information Software Version: 3.2

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Porsche Cayenne S by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2023000—
2022000—
2021010—
2020110—
2019010—
2018000—
2015010—
2014010—
2013010—
2012Viewing620—
2011173041.6
2010000—
2009010—
2008510—
2007100—
2006133045.1
2005104254.6
2004489254.3
2003492—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.