Skip to content
Porsche Cayenne SModel year report

2004 Porsche Cayenne S Problems

Complaints
48filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,000miles, 37 complaints with mileage
Recalls
9campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 4.5L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 12 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 14 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine cooling (11) and fuel system (8). 37 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 377 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the gear position indication (prndl) and 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 41 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Electronic stability control (1), Equipment (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving I heard a loud knocking noise and coming from under the center console and my truck started to shake. I came to a complete stop then proceeded on but once the truck got over 20mph the knocking noise started again .”

NHTSA complaint #10705035, filed 2015-04, 134,390 miles

Engine cooling: “**uncontrolled acceleration** Cayenne S accelerated uncontrollably while driving. While driving at approx 60 MPH, I encountered traffic ahead and took my foot off the accelerator, however the car began accelerating. I tried lifting the pedal with my foot, no luck, applied the brakes and the car slowed, however, when I removed my foot from the brake, the cayenne continued to accelerate. The cruise control had not been activated and was off. …”

NHTSA complaint #10303704, filed 2010-02, 77,059 miles

Fuel system: “Received recall notice for filter flange of fuel pump. Called dealer who said did not have repair parts and does not know when they will get them. Called Porsche u.s. And they told me the same thing. No date for receiving parts or repairing my car.”

NHTSA complaint #11111825, filed 2018-07

Electrical system: “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 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 37 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 19,000 and 98,000 miles.

22%0–105%10–2511%25–5019%50–7522%75–10016%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (37 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’03’05’07’10’12’14’16’188
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Porsche Cayenne S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cayenne S 4WD/AWD4.5L 8-cyl5-speed automatic121714$5,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 9 recalls for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 377 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 377 bulletins →

Other model years of the Porsche Cayenne S

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012685,0002—18—Not enough data
20111770,0003—18—Rising
20085111,0001—15—Not enough data
20061379,6343—14—Not enough data
20051074,8004—14—Not enough data
20044860,0009—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Porsche Cayenne S model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S have?

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 14 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 11.

Has the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S (Cayenne S, 4.5L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S reported?

Among the 37 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 19,000 and 98,000 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.