2011 Porsche Cayenne Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Porsche Cayenne, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1237.5%
- Powertrain (other)1134.4%
- Airbags39.4%
- Driver assistance26.3%
- Electrical13.1%
- Exterior lighting13.1%
- Brakes13.1%
- Steering13.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
INTAKE CAMSHAFTS ADJUSTER BOLTS BROKE WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET C@P CASE WITH PORSCHE # 0005611574 MANUFACTURER CAMPAIGN NUMBER : AH08
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .