RoadVitals

2015 Porsche Cayenne Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
13
Latest May 31, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 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

  • Engine320.0%
  • Exterior lighting320.0%
  • Powertrain (other)320.0%
  • Fuel system213.3%
  • Electrical213.3%
  • Airbags16.7%
  • Body & structure16.7%

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

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

After the emissions recall was performed the vehicle has an issue that when turning a corner the engine will not produce any power and will not shift down in order to get the car to accelerate. You get no response from the throttle pedal unless you depress it fully to the floor and then the car will jerk and accelerate uncontrollably. This creates an unsafe condition when trying to pull out into traffic. I have almost been in an accident multiple times because of this with oncoming cars and with cars following me as they are trying to merge also and my vehicle will not accelerate. I have driven a vehicle identical to mine that has not had the emissions recall performed and it does not have this issue.

NHTSA ID 11430182 · filed Aug 23, 2021

PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA AS PART OF THE EPA/CARB SETTLEMENT MODIFIED THE 2015 CAYENNE IN A MANNER TO COMPLY WITH THE ORIGINAL EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. THE MODIFICATION HAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED PERFORMANCE I SUCH A WAY THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOW DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. WHEN MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS OR ATTEMPTING TO OVERTAKE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LACK OF RESPONSE TO THROTTLE INPUT LEADING TO NEAR MISSES BY OTHER VEHICLES. THIS HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED AS THE MODIFICATIONS HAVE HAD TIME TO ADAPT OVER TIME. PORSCHE HAS CONTINUED TO DENY AN ISSUE AND STATES THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AFTER THE MODIFICATION. THIS SUMS UP OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT IS TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE

NHTSA ID 11105297 · filed Jul 3, 2018

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

June 7-8, 2024 driving in rain, the #17- 25 amp headlight fuse blew, leaving my family and me stranded without headlights in the dark on I-70 highway. When headlights quit during this drive and it became Very Very dangerous! After getting the 2015 Cayenne home, I inspected both headlights. Driver's side headlight had a lot of moisture on the inside of lens. The passenger side headlight had about 1 cup of water inside headlight. Reading about Porsche Cayenne headlights leaking online, this issue should be a recall. I am going to take to dealership have them work on unrelated recall. I will ask them to inspect Cayenne. I can not drive this vehicle during inclimate weather or at night for an emergency or otherwise. I have been really busy at work and personally to take 60 miles to dealership. I have another vehicle I have been driving.

NHTSA ID 11629837 · filed Dec 10, 2024

When I start the vehicle I get an error message that the rear lights are not working properly, but they are functioning well. This message is random and it can show up at anytime. I have contacted Porsche about this and they said that this is due to a faulty part that can be replaced, but requires 5000 USD. This problem was there when the vehicle was under warranty, but they never pursued or investigated it.

NHTSA ID 11579292 · filed Mar 25, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY PORSCHE CAYENNE DIESEL HAS HAD THE PORSCHE DIESEL EMISSIONS SETTLEMENT PROGRAM "FIX" COMPLETED. SINCE THE "FIX" THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. WHEN MERGING, TURNING A SLOW SPEED CORNER OR ROLLING THROUGH A YIELD SIGN THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG/DELAY FROM THE TIME THE THROTTLE INPUT HAPPENS AND A RESPONSE FROM THE MOTOR. THIS DELAY HAS BEEN AS LONG AS 2 SECONDS LEADING TO NUMEROUS NEAR MISSES. PORSCHE HAS INSISTED THE VEHICLE IS FINE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ON MAR 16, 2018, AT 04:28 PM, "(XXXX)(PCNA, CR_EXT)" <(XXXX)@PORSCHE.US> WROTE: GOOD AFTERNOON MR. (X), I AM SORRY TO LEARN OF YOUR DISSATISFACTION WITH YOUR VEHICLE. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EPA/CARB APPROVED EMISSIONS MODIFICATION, THE SHIFTING BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN ADJUSTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENHANCED AUTOMATIC ENGINE BRAKING FEATURE HAS BEEN REMOVED. WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE THE REDUCTION IN MPG NOTED BELOW, ARE YOU TOWING AT THAT TIME? BEST REGARDS, [XXX] CUSTOMER COMMITMENT SENIOR SPECIALIST US CENTRAL REGION AND CANADA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

NHTSA ID 11162255 · filed Dec 18, 2018

PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA AS PART OF THE EPA/CARB SETTLEMENT MODIFIED THE 2015 CAYENNE IN A MANNER TO COMPLY WITH THE ORIGINAL EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. THE MODIFICATION HAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED PERFORMANCE I SUCH A WAY THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOW DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. WHEN MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS OR ATTEMPTING TO OVERTAKE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LACK OF RESPONSE TO THROTTLE INPUT LEADING TO NEAR MISSES BY OTHER VEHICLES. THIS HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED AS THE MODIFICATIONS HAVE HAD TIME TO ADAPT OVER TIME. PORSCHE HAS CONTINUED TO DENY AN ISSUE AND STATES THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AFTER THE MODIFICATION. THIS SUMS UP OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT IS TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE

NHTSA ID 11105297 · filed Jul 3, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP FROM RE-CALL REPAIRS, OUR CAR SHUT OFF ON US IN THE BUSY 5:00 PM AUSTIN TRAFFIC. IT WAS SCARY & DANGEROUS. PORSCHE EMPLOYEES STEVE & AMY HELPED US WITH TOWING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE FOR MY HUSBAND & I TO TRAVEL BACK TO VICTORIA COUNTY WHILE OUR CAR GET SERVICED. I REACHED OUT TO ARIELLE VAUGHN, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MANAGER, BUT I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG OR WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR CAR.

NHTSA ID 11151396 · filed Nov 14, 2018

PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA AS PART OF THE EPA/CARB SETTLEMENT MODIFIED THE 2015 CAYENNE IN A MANNER TO COMPLY WITH THE ORIGINAL EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. THE MODIFICATION HAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED PERFORMANCE I SUCH A WAY THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOW DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. WHEN MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS OR ATTEMPTING TO OVERTAKE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LACK OF RESPONSE TO THROTTLE INPUT LEADING TO NEAR MISSES BY OTHER VEHICLES. THIS HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED AS THE MODIFICATIONS HAVE HAD TIME TO ADAPT OVER TIME. PORSCHE HAS CONTINUED TO DENY AN ISSUE AND STATES THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AFTER THE MODIFICATION. THIS SUMS UP OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT IS TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE

NHTSA ID 11105297 · filed Jul 3, 2018

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

On August 21 2021, I was out shopping. When I went out to return home, the car would not start. I could not jump start it or anything. I had it towed to the dealer. I found out from Porsche and dealership that my car was disabled by Porsche Connect. I do not have this service or pay for it. On Friday Sept 3, I was informed by Porsche customer service that it disabled my car because the original owner (in 2015) changed their phone number. So Porsche assumed stolen and shut down. I did not authorize this, I did not sign up for this service. They will not fix the car because they say it is out of warranty. Because I do not know the code to turn the car back on, they want to replace parts and say I have to get the Porsche Connect App. This is a known issue at Porsche because the dealer found a TSB on it. They are not taking responsibility for shutting down the car with out my permission. This is a safety issue depending on where I could have been.

NHTSA ID 11431928 · filed Sep 7, 2021

The 2015 Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid has a charging port for charging the electric drive battery. The electric plug does not disconnect from the vehicle. Based on the OBD-II software used for diagnosis Error Code - P0D9400 Error Description - High-voltage charger - charging-plug lock fault (00A93D)

NHTSA ID 11420884 · filed Jun 14, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Air bag light on occupant not detected code, just like Porsche Mecan campaign AMA2

NHTSA ID 11664131 · filed May 31, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BOUGHT 2015 PORSCHE CAYENNE DIESEL SUV FROM PORSCHE OF NASHUA (NH) ON 10-8-2015. ON 10-19-2015 AT ODOMETER READING 921 MILES, TAILGATE OPENED WHILE DRIVING, SPILLING CONTENTS ONTO ROADWAY, OTHERS RAN OVER CONTENTS INCLUDING DIESEL FUEL COLD TEMPERATURE TREATMENT + FILLED 20 LB. CAPACITY PROPANE TANK, CHAINSAW. VERMONT STATE POLICE CASE 15B203588 INVESTIGATED THE INCIDENT. LOCATION WAS DERBY, VT AT INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 5 & COMMERCE WAY (PRIVATE ROAD). MANY CARS RAN OVER THE CONTENTS, EYEWITNESSES INCLUDED A MOTEL MANAGER WHO TOOK A CELL PHONE PHOTO OF A LATE MODEL CHEV. IMPALA WITH VT PLATES WHICH HAD CAPTURED A WRAPPED CHAINSAW WHICH WAS JAMMED AND DRAGGED UNDER CHEVROLET'S ENGINE AND FRONT BUMPER REGION. THE LP TANK FILLED WITH PROPANE WAS TAKEN BY A MOTORIST. LATER THAT EVENING, AFTER DARK, THE TAILGATE OPENED AGAIN, SPILLING CONTENTS ONTO LINDSAY AVENUE AND DARLING HILL RD. IN DERBY VERMONT. A US BORDER PATROL SUV CAME UPON THE SCENE AND CALLED VT STATE POLICE. THE BORDER PATROL DRIVER TRAVELLED DOWN LINDSAY RD. TO SEE THE EXTENT OF THE ITEMS AND RETURNED REPORTING ITEMS WERE ON THE ROAD FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE TO WHERE IT TURNS ONTO ORRWOOD DRIVE. PHONE CALLS TO PORSCHE SELLING DEALER & PORSCHE OF AMERICA RESULTED IN DENIALS THAT ANY OTHER MALFUNCTIONS OF THIS NATURE TOOK PLACE WITH OTHER 2015 PORSCHE CAYENNE OWNERS. THERE WERE OTHER ELECTRICAL FAULTS THAT WERE ALSO TAKING PLACE THAT DAY INCLUDING FALSE WARNING OF DEFLATED TIRE, A WARNING THAT THE RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE, AND NUMEROUS NAVIGATION FUNCTIONALITY FAULTS EXISTED. WHEN RETIRING FOR THE EVENING, 6-8 DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT TURN OFF, WHICH WAS NOT NORMAL, DESPITE THE KEY BEING OFF AND OUT, AND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TURNED OFF. THEY LATER SELF-EXTINGUISHED WITHIN 5 MINUTES. DEALER INVITED ME TO DRIVE 4 HOURS SOUTH TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR EXAMINAATION AND POSSIBLE CORRECTION.

NHTSA ID 10785738 · filed Oct 23, 2015

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

Data on this page last refreshed .