2011 Porsche Cayenne Owner Complaints

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, RANDOMLY A SERIOUS UNSAFE TO OPERATE 'SERVICE NECESSARY' WARNING APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS; ABRUPTLY SHUTTING OFF. WITH THE SERVICE NECESSARY WARNING INDICATED, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVE-ABLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL. ERROR WILL GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. THIS BREAKDOWN APPEARS TO BE KNOWN TO PORSCHE BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON INTERNET COMMUNITY SITES

NHTSA ID

11633034

Incident

Dec 29, 2024

Porsche dash material is separating from the substrate of the structure. This material is directly between the airbag and the now loose material on the surface of the dash (leather). Porsche will not repair this and recommends a replacement at an estimated $10,000 USD. There is a significant risk to safety as the now loose upper material will interfere with the deployment of the airbag on the passenger side, adding potential harm and injury to a passenger inside the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11627588

Incident

Nov 12, 2024

The original Porsche leather upper dashboard has shrunk, causing exposed staples, and rippling of the leather , including rippling and bunching of the leather that is covering the passenger dash airbag assembly. I have been informed that in the event of an accident causing airbags to deploy, the passenger airbag would likely not deploy correctly, and further injury could also occur because of exposed staples and hardware that should not be exposed. My Porsche dealer and independent dealer have both advised replacement of dash (for a very large sum of money). I have also taken the vehicle to multiple upholstery shops and all have declined to fix the problem solely due to the airbag risk/liability. This is very common issue for late model porsche full leather option dashes, and specifically Cayenne models seem to be heavily affected. At this point, I am worried about the safety of my vehicle, and continue usage, and the dealer price to fix out of pocket is prohibitive (the part itself from the porsche dealer is >$6000, not including significant labor charges to remove and replace the full dash). Cayenne owners have been quoted over $10,000 to fix the issue from dealers. Thank you for your time

NHTSA ID

11627391

Incident

Nov 4, 2024

The leather on my Porsche Cayenne dashboard has shrunk and is pulling away from the front of the dashboard. My mechanic tells me that this is a possible safety issue because if the vehicle is in an accident, the front passenger airbag may not deploy correctly and recommends replacing (expensive). In checking various Porsche online forums, this appears to be a common issue among owners with the more expensive leather dashboards.

NHTSA ID

11626222

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

My vehicle has camshaft and crankshaft correlation problems due to the well-known problem with its screws and other things. I reported it to Porsche and they told me that it has already been repaired but I don't understand how to fail again and deny help for its repair.

NHTSA ID

11584086

Incident

Apr 11, 2024

2011 Porsche Cayenne S Model- Consumer is writing in reference to Porsche Recall ANB4. Requesting investigation into the rubber sealer replacements and ordering the Porsche Cars North America to redo the recall for all subjected vehicles after providing enough headlight rubber sealers to dealerships. Recall letter & pictures attached.

NHTSA ID

11522393

Incident

May 1, 2023

I have a 2011 model Porsche Cayenne S. From the service records, I can tell the car has had two transfer cases already replaced and is in need of another. The first transfer case was replaced in mid-2016 by the dealer at about 46,000 miles. The second transfer case was replaced just over 12,000 miles later, at 58,500 miles, in late 2019. Both replacements were done by the previous owner. This should have been the newest and most updated transfer case with the new control modules and GNC-coated plates, but this does not appear to have solved the problems Porsche is having with the transfer cases. It is now mid-2023, and an independent shop says I need another transfer case in my car at 76,000 miles. It is hard to believe that Porsche considered the upgraded parts (2018+) to be a permanent solution, especially when it only lasted about 17,000 miles.      I will hopefully be able to have my local dealership dissect the transfer case I am replacing so that I can learn more about what actually failed on this updated unit. Transfer cases are a major part of the vehicle and should be expected to last just as long as other major components (ex. engine, transmission). It is very unsafe when any major part of the drive train fails.  PS. One of the main reasons for purchasing this specific cayenne was because I believed the transfer case it had installed in 2019 would have solved all of these issues and I would not need to replace it again.

NHTSA ID

11521164

Incident

Apr 17, 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 that the blower motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V069000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000. The contact stated that the failure mileage was between 60,000 and 80,000. The recall for a faulty main wiring harness does not include the contact's VIN. The contact has concerns about the bad wiring eventually causing a fire. No repairs have been made. The contact stated the problem still persists, and informed there is a electrical problem.

NHTSA ID

11521031

Incident

Dec 8, 2013

Mileage

20,000 mi

2011 Cayenne Turbo: Vehicle has had recent transfer case servicing. Experiencing a grinding sensation on roundabouts, and turns that almost feels as if the brake is applied. If issue continues to worsen, it could easily cause an accident as a sudden speed reduction on a roundabout, or turn may prompt unaware/inattentive drivers to rear-end me, or worse. Dealership is citing transfer case failure, however, my vehicle is one year removed from the end of the extended warranty campaign and is no longer eligible for a replacement unit.

NHTSA ID

11501597

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

INTAKE CAMSHAFTS ADJUSTER BOLTS BROKE WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET C@P CASE WITH PORSCHE # 0005611574 MANUFACTURER CAMPAIGN NUMBER : AH08

NHTSA ID

11385083

Incident

Mar 10, 2020

ENGINE STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ID

11349020

Incident

Mar 10, 2020

THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ON THE TIMING COVER ARE BROKEN CAUSING AN OIL LEAK. IF THE ALL BOLTS ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM THEN WHAT ABOUT THE TRANSFER CASE? I'VE HEARD ABOUT NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF BOLTS BREAKING EITHER BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BOLTS AND THE MAGNESIUM IN THE MOTOR. IT HAS OCCURRED ON OTHER MODELS OF PORSCHES. PORSCHE SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ON ALL PARTS.

NHTSA ID

11337058

Incident

Jun 29, 2020

Mileage

94,000 mi

VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH MY 2011 CAYENNE S -- JUST REPLACED TRANSFER CASE IN JULY 2017 (LESS THAN 3 YEARS AGO) DUE TO UNEXPECTED PAUSING/HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING, AND NOW THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN!!! SEARCHED ONLINE AND READ SIMILAR COMMENTS MADE BY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PORSCHE HAS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS -- IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD BE LIFE-THREATENING. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328197

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

45,000 mi

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 FAR. I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION CAN LOCK UP DURING DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH. I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE A LUXURY VEHICLE THAT I AM PAYING INSURANCE ON OF WHICH I CAN'T DRIVE THAT IS USELESS SITTING IN MY GARAGE. THIS WAS MY 1ST PORSCHE AND SADLY MAY BE MY LAST IF THIS IS NOT RESOLVED. I HAVE READ TONS OF REPORTS ON FORUMS CITING THIS SAME PROBLEM. IF THIS IS SUCH A KNOWN HAZARD WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO HAVE PORSCE DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL & GET THIS FIXED? I PRAY THEY ARE NOT WAITING FOR A DEATH FIRST. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324569

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

45,000 mi

COOLANT LEAKS WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. LEAK IS DUE TO FAULTY PLASTIC THAT WAS REDESIGNED TO METAL TUBING DUE TO COMMON REPORTED ISSUES. PLASTIC TUBING CONNECTED TO COOLANT SYSTEM WILL BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACKED, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND LOST OF COOLANT. THIS ISSUE IS COMMONLY REPORTED ABOUT THE 2011 CAYANNE WITH A DEALERSHIP COST OF UP TO $4500.

NHTSA ID

11299300

Incident

Dec 16, 2019

CAR HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED AT 20K AND NOW TOLD TO DO AGAIN AT 46K. SUDDEN JERK AND LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHEN CAR IS GOING FROM 3 TO 4 GEAR OR UNDER 25MPH. ISSUE SEEMS TO BE PRETTY MUCH ON MOST CAYENNES AND COST $5000 TO REPAIR. MINE IS A 2014 MODEL

NHTSA ID

11298556

Incident

Dec 20, 2019

Mileage

46,000 mi

TRANSFER CASE HAS FAILED, JERKING AND INTERRUPTION OF ACCELERATIONS. ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA COMPLAINT LOG SYSTEM AS WELL AS DOCUMENTED ONLINE. I CALLED PORSCHE AND THEY DENIED KNOWING ABOUT ANY PROBLEM WITH IT BUT YOU CAN CALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AT ANY PORSCHE DEALER AND THEY IMMEDIATELY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I CALLED TWO AND THEY KNOW OF IT AS A COMMON PROBLEM. EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO CORRECT ($5,000).

NHTSA ID

11267906

Incident

Oct 5, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

I HAVE HAD THE TRANSFER CASE REPLACED IN THIS VEHICLE TWICE IN THE LAST 25K MILES. AT 65K MILES THE CAR IS DOING THE FAMILIAR GRINDING AND SURGING AGAIN, EVIDENT IT WILL NEED A THIRD $5-6000 TRANSFER CASE. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN OR REPAIR THE ISSUE EFFECTIVELY. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT REPLY TO INQUIRIES, IT IS MY REQUEST THAT THEY BE FORCED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT, RELIABLE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THIS COULD CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCE SINCE IT HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE MECHANICS AT THE VARIOUS DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME ITS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE SPANNING PORSCHE SUVS FROM 2008 THROUGH THE PRESENT. GOTTA WONDER WHAT THIS MANUFACTURER IS THINKING HERE AND WHY THEY ARE HIDING THE DETAILS.

NHTSA ID

11180247

Incident

Feb 14, 2019

Mileage

64,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11150150

Incident

Oct 21, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE TRANSFER CASE IN THIS CAR IS FAILING AT 50,000 MILES LEADING TO POTENTIAL LOCK UP OF WHEELS, AXLES, OR TOTAL BREAKDOWN/SHUTDOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED IF NOT CORRECTED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS KNOWN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11073089

Incident

Jan 15, 2018

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, 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 CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PORSCHE OF LARCHMONT, 2500 BOSTON POST RD, LARCHMONT, NY 10538) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11060798

Incident

Jun 17, 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 THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PORSCHE OF SILVER SPRING WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT CONTROLLERS FAILED AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11055490

Incident

Jul 31, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11011342

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Mileage

94,000 mi

TRANSFER CASE WENT BAD AT 64K MILES. THREE TSB'S ON TRANSFER CASE PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE VERY ISSUE MY CAR HAS.

NHTSA ID

11004166

Incident

Jul 10, 2017

Mileage

64,017 mi

THE TRANSFER CASE CLUNKS AND GRINDS WHEN DRIVING TURNING AND IN REVERSE WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE DEALER SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

11000301

Incident

May 1, 2017

Mileage

65,000 mi