Porsche Cayenne S Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 99 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the Porsche Cayenne S (2004–2012) that have at least 5 complaints. 2004 has the most, with 48. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (25 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Cayenne S model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 6 | 85,000 | 2 | 422 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 17 | 70,000 | 3 | 415 | — | Rising |
| 2008 | 5 | 111,000 | 1 | 374 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 13 | 79,634 | 3 | 367 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 10 | 74,800 | 4 | 374 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 48 | 60,000 | 9 | 377 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain25 24%
- Engine24 23%
- Engine cooling18 17%
- Fuel system12 12%
- Electrical system8 7.8%
- Tires6 5.8%
- Exterior lighting5 4.9%
- Brakes5 4.9%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2004: “While driving with both of my children in the rain my entire car locked and my windshield wipes stopped my windows wouldn't roll down and my doors locked on and off my alarm system started to go off uncontrollably even while driving Porsche isn't being of any help giving me run arounds also my check engine light came on in the process of the incident”
NHTSA complaint #10852514, filed 2016-03, 152,000 miles2008: “I was driving on the highway. Accelerating as I was merging into the highway. I saw smoke coming out the back. Check coolant light came on. When I stopped I saw coolant everywhere underneath the car. The dealership determined the glue from the coolant tubes failed and needs to install new coolant pipes.”
NHTSA complaint #10917294, filed 2016-10, 98,000 miles2011: “I was pulling forward on a level city street and turning left from a stop sign. There was a significant amount of shuddering and feeling of a loss of power. This was a significant safety issue due to oncoming traffic. Over a period of several months this had been increasing in severity but the dealer could not identify the problem. I took it to the dealer and was able to repeat the problem for them. They identified the transfer case as the issue. It was replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11058495, filed 2018-01, 70,000 milesOther Porsche models
500 complaintsPorsche Taycan
274 complaintsPorsche Macan
241 complaintsPorsche Boxster
153 complaintsPorsche 911
111 complaintsPorsche Panamera
100 complaintsPorsche 911 Turbo
76 complaintsPorsche 911 GT3
51 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology