RoadVitals

2004 Porsche Cayenne Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
38
Latest Aug 24, 2023
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.
5
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Apr 15, 2004

What this page shows

Our database holds 38 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 38 · page 1 of 2

ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 24, 2023

Strong odor of gasoline traveling through the vents injected into vehicle. Fuel filter has a crack. Underhood electrical problems that may cause a fire

NHTSA ID
11540647
Incident
Jun 1, 2023
Other / unspecified
Filed Jan 6, 2023

The contact is a car seat technician. The contact worked with a family who owns a Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max Convertible Car Seat, as the technician was inspecting the car seat she noticed the chest clip was not working as needed. The magnetic piece that clips on the chest area comes out easily.

NHTSA ID
11500425
Incident
Dec 31, 2022
Steering
Filed Dec 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair appointment, he noticed that the steering wheel had a quarter inch of play. The U-Joint connection was severely corroded. The dealer diagnosed that the steering column and steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 266,969.

NHTSA ID
11497634
Incident
Dec 13, 2022
Mileage
266,969 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 11, 2022

There is a significant smell of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was a recall on the same make, model, and year for fuel pump filter flange leaks, which are indicative of a strong smell of gas inside the car. This can potentially cause the car to start on fire. The dealer stated due to the VIN, the vehicle was not covered under the existing recall.

NHTSA ID
11493210
Incident
Nov 11, 2022
Fuel systemExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting), 19V446000 (Power Train), and 17V576000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to read accurately. The headlamp wiring had been deteriorating causing the headlights to malfunction. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. Parts distributions disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11491915
Incident
Jan 8, 2018
Mileage
170,000 mi
Filed Jun 16, 2021

I returned after being away for a few weeks, in May 2021. The solar panel had been on the inner windshield of the car following installation a few months prior. I found the car's 12V battery was almost dead (about 4 Volts), and the solar panel's plastic frame was severely melted, causing it to deform and lift away from the glass solar panel. Photos uploaded below. From reading reviews on this product on the Harbor Freight website, I now see that this is a common problem. I don't know what the cause is. Could be that the cheap plastic is just not made to withstand summer heat (although I have 2 more of these in my other cars, with no problems), and that the severe deformation of the frame somehow shorted something electical inside the panel that caused the car's 12V battery to discharge, heating the glass panel and melting all the surrounding plastic. Or it could be that an electrical problem was the trigger, causing the battery to discharge, etc. Harbor Freight is so far making it extremely difficult to try to raise the problem with them. I think this could be a serious issue, perhaps leading to a car fire. And if it is indeed an electrical fault that triggers this, then it could happen when parked in a garage (no solar heating needed), possibly leading to worse.

NHTSA ID
11421164
Incident
May 11, 2021
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 9, 2021

The cam shaft actuator has gone out.. Recalled on newer vehicles mine is 2004. Front airbag is also non operational

NHTSA ID
11420279
Incident
Jun 9, 2021
Electrical
Filed Mar 3, 2021
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD "BOOM" NOISE AND FIRE STARTED COMING FROM THE GLOVE BOX IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. FIRE MARSHALS WERE CALLED ONTO THE SCENE TO ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, AFTER 3 HOURS THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A REPORT WAS MADE WITH THE FIRE MARSHALS. THE CONTACT STATED NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND REMAINS ON CONTACTS PROPERTY. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V069000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THEY DID NOT PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM A PORSHE DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD TO DO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ID
11399023
Incident
Mar 3, 2021
Mileage
115,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 26, 2020
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVE WAY WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY BREAK ENGAGED AND LEFT TO ENTER HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES LATER, WHEN EXITING HIS RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED GEARS TO REVERSE AND ROLLED AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HIT TWO TREES, A FENCE, CONTINUED TO ROLL AWAY AND HIT A SECOND FENCE WHICH DETAINED THE VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATE NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO BREAK THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW TO ENTER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR BODY DAMAGE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATE AT THAT MOMENT HE DID NOT CONTACT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATES HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V446000 (POWER TRAIN) IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN PORSCHE OF OMAHA (6625 L ST, OMAHA, NE 68117) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11319375
Incident
Nov 1, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 20, 2019
Crash reported

2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ROLLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH, THEN CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLES. *JS *JS - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ID
11280095
Incident
Jun 26, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 6, 2019

TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE ISSUES IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACCELERATION BETWEEN 3 GEARS... CAR TRANSMISSIONS "STUMBLES" (TRANSMISSION LOCKING). WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE PORSCHE COMMUNITY AND PORSCHE SOLUTION IS DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE. NO ENGINE ERROR CODES ISSUED AS WELL. PORSCHE SAYS CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE A WHILE UNTIL I RESEARCHED THE ISSUES ONLINE. PREVIOUSE RECALL # 03V351000 - PORSCHE WILL NOT CURRENTLY HONOR THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11253537
Incident
Sep 4, 2019
Mileage
131,276 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 3, 2019

I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V576000. FUEL PUMP FLANGE MAY CRACK CAUSING FUEL LEAK A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE. MY LOCAL DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME NO PARTS AVAILABLE. I FIND THE TIMELINE UNACCEPTABLE AND I WANT THE RECALL REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY. WE ARE PUSHING TWO YEARS WITH NO REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
11165743
Incident
Nov 27, 2017
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 19, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING, THE DRIVESHAFT MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE AND SHAKE. THE CONTACT CALLED MOMENTUM PORSCHE (10155 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074, (844) 894-5470) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11141417
Incident
Aug 19, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 9, 2018

RECALL #AH10. MY TRUCK LEAK GAS EVERYWHERE; AND I'VE CALLED GAUDIN PORSCHE THEY SAID THEY'RE NOT DOING ANY RECALLS AT THE MOMENT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT NOR CAN AFFORD THE GAS LOST.

NHTSA ID
11092779
Incident
Nov 30, 2017
Mileage
110,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 10, 2018

1) COOLANT PIPE PROBLEMS,PORSCHE NEVER FIX THEM ,HAD PAY TO GET THEM FIX.(2) FILTER FLANGE FUEL PUMP LEAKAGE,PROBLEMS PORSCHE SAID UNFORTUNATELY, AT THIS TIME PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.HAD IT REPAIR MY OWEN MONEY, DID NOT WANT TO CHANCE A RISK OF FIRE.(3) TRANSMISSION MODULE PROBLEMS DID NOT SHIFT RIGHT,HAD TO BUY NEW ONE.TO MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID
11084484
Incident
Mar 6, 2018
Fuel system
Filed Apr 10, 2018

"PORSCHE SAFETY RECALL AH10" I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL NOVEMBER '17 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FILTER FLANGE FUEL PUMP. DURING THE TIME, I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGES WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT I STILL CALLED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT IN AND I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. WITHIN THE LAST 3 WEEKS, I HAVE SMELLED GAS IN AND AROUND MY CAR. I AM CONVINCED THIS IS DUE TO MY VEHICLE NOT BEING REPAIRED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. I CONTACTED BOTH PORSCHE LOCATIONS IN MY AREA (NORTH OLMSTED AND BEACHWOOD, OHIO) TO SEE IF THERE WILL BE REIMBURSEMENT OF A RENTAL CAR OR IF A LOANER VEHICLE CAN BE PROVIDED UNTIL THE PARTS ARE IN AS I TRANSPORT A NEWBORN BABY IN MY VEHICLE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS AND DO NOT WANT TO RUN THE RISK OF EITHER OF US BEING AFFECTED BY THIS FUEL LEAK. I'M AFRAID IF THE FUEL LEAKAGE ISN'T REPAIRED SOON IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE WHICH WILL BE A HAZARD TO MYSELF, CHILD, AND OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I AM REACHING OUT TO SEE OF THERE ARE ANY ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION METHODS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ID
11084480
Incident
Nov 29, 2017
Fuel system
Filed Apr 2, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V576000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER FIVE MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11082462
Incident
Apr 2, 2018
Fuel system
Filed Dec 7, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE PARKED AT HOME, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S HOUSE SUSTAINED FIRE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO PORSCHE OF NORTH OLMSTED LOCATED 28400 LORAUIN RD, NORTH OLMSTEAD, OH WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V576000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11052953
Incident
May 13, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S BROTHER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL A DEALER FOR A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED PORSCHE OF SILVER SPRING AT (888) 462-9925 (3141 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT NO LOANER VEHICLES WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED PORSCHE OF ROCKVILLE AT (855) 683-3144 (1125 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852) AND PORSCHE OF ANNAPOLIS AT (443) 221-6940 (20 HUDSON ST, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401) WHERE HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT NO LOANER VEHICLES WERE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

NHTSA ID
11048600
Incident
Nov 24, 2017
Mileage
166,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Mar 4, 2017

THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.. COOLANT PIPES LEAK. OILS LEAKAGE. FAILURE OF LIGHTS ELICTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS HORN, REMOTE ENTRY, SUSPENSION AXLE WHEEL BARRINGS. FUEL INJECTORS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CAR

NHTSA ID
10958627
Incident
Jan 29, 2015
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 26, 2016

ITS SEEMS TO BE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPS INTO FOUR WHEELS DRIVE, SOMETIME IT STUCK IN A DRIVE GEAR.

NHTSA ID
10822439
Incident
Dec 12, 2014
Mileage
175,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 1, 2015

THIS VEHICLE ALLOWS YOU TO BE LOCKED INSIDE. AFTER DRIVING IF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OPEN THEIR DOORS THEN THE LOCK BUTTON IS HIT ON THE KEY (WHILE THE DOORS ARE STILL OPEN), THEN THE DOORS ARE CLOSED ANYONE INSIDE IN UNABLE TO UNLOCK ANY DOORS, EVEN WHEN HITTING THE UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE VEHICLE LOCATED ON THE DOOR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ID
10807887
Incident
Nov 10, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 2, 2015

PORSCHE LURCHES,JERKS,THUDS,INTERMITTENT POWER LOSS WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER CAR. ENGINE,TRANSMISSION/TURBO SYSTEM FAULTY AND HAZARDOUS AS POWER LOSS OCCURS WHEN QUICK SPEED-UP WHEN PASSING POWER IS CRITICALLY NEEDED. THIS POWER FAILURE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IVY ME IN 2004.

NHTSA ID
10787569
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2014

ENGINE COOLANT HOSES ARE LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. EVERYTIME I POUR ANTIFREEZE INTO THE CAR IT COMES OUT, IM AFRAID IT MIGHT DAMAGE SOMETHING ELSE, LIKE THE ENGINE ETC. THEY HAVE PLASTIC HOSES ON THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10644678
Incident
Oct 13, 2014
Mileage
91,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 2, 2014

UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I STARTED HEARING A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE, SOMETHING LIKE A LIFTER HITTING THE BLOCK. I PULLED BACK IN TO MY DRIVEWAY AND CALLED A REPAIR SHOP AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. WHEN MEETING WITH THE TECHNICIAN I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A SCORED CYLINDER AND THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MODEL AND YEAR. THE ONLY RECOURSE TO FIX THE ISSUE WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. A REPLACEMENT ENGINE WOULD COST $17 -35,000 - MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. IF I WERE TO REPLACE IT WITH A USED ENGINE, I WOULD BE DESTINED FOR A REPEAT OF THE SAME ISSUE. IF THIS ISSUE IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES? I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE A AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALERSHIP MAKE THE DIAGNOSIS I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOLD, BUT THERE IS NOT A AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WITHIN 500 MILES OF MY LOCATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10630106
Incident
Feb 14, 2014
Mileage
95,000 mi

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.

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