RoadVitals

2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

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.
2
Latest Apr 30, 2018
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 399 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

  • Airbags133.3%
  • Driver assistance133.3%
  • Powertrain (other)133.3%

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

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

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

Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 30, 2018

2012 CAYENNE TURBO WITH 40096 MILEAGE AS OF TODAY. THE TRANSFER BOX WAS REPLACED IN APRIL 2016 AND APRIL 2018. COST AROUND $4,500 EACH TIME. TOTAL OF $9,000 REPAIR BILL.

NHTSA ID
11091036
Incident
Apr 25, 2018
Mileage
40,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 (NA) PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG APPEARED TO HAVE DEPLOYED (PROPERLY) UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ID
10884797
Incident
Jun 23, 2016
Mileage
17,000 mi

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 Turbo by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000
2020010
2019010
2018000
2015010
2014010
2013010
2012Viewing220
2011113049.9
2010010
2009010
2008710
2007000
2006131
2005432
2004158253.0
2003182

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.