2004 Porsche Cayenne S Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 29%of 48 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S, 29% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“**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“The Porsche cayenne is notorious for drive / cardan shaft failures. Had bad drive shaft noises, and subsequent premature failure, it was a worn center support dampener and a faulty center support bearing. I experienced banging, bumping, grinding noises from my Porsche cayenne and was unaware at the time it was the drive shaft. I have outlined the noises and causes below: - a clanking or clunking noise while accelerating or from deceleration to acceleration around 35to 40mph and while cayenne was shifting from 2nd to 3rd to 4th gear. Around 5th and 6th gear going around 50-60 MPH it stopped. …”
NHTSA complaint #10585738, filed 2014-04, 98,490 miles“Porsche has recalled the 2011 for headlight becoming loose. I have a 2004 with same problem. Any type of vibration or bump it becomes loose safety hazard when driving at night. Porsche is aware of driveshaft clunking because of faulty bushings and will not recall driveshafts it clunks whenn you need to accelerate to passs a semi but also when slowing down to a stop it also does it too. Porsche dealerbin wallingford ct will not acknowledge workshop campaigns.”
NHTSA complaint #10882367, filed 2016-07, 119,000 miles“Car was driving normal. Parked in garage and 2 hours later took back out for short drive. Reaching 25 MPH, car begin shaking violently and than as accelerated further stopped shaking. Pulled over, than accelerated again slowly, car begin shaking at approx 50 MPH. Slowed again. And car continued to shake violently at various speeds. Took to independent Porsche shop, and was diagnosed as failed drive shaft center bearing .”
NHTSA complaint #10202453, filed 2007-09, 60,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V446000Jun 12, 2019Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016…Covers: Porsche Cayenne S 2003–2006, Panamera Turbo 2010–2016, Panamera 4S 2010–2016 +6 more
- 04V071000Feb 18, 2004Certain sport utility vehicles may have had a transfer case installed that could, due to changes in the housing casting, result in the oil pump rotation…Covers: Porsche Cayenne S 2004, Cayenne 2004, Cayenne Turbo 2004
Related service bulletins
- 11037816Sep 22, 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C40 engine oils are…
- 11037813Sep 22, 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C20 engine oils are…
- 11037812Sep 22, 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which C30 engine oils are…
- 11037808Sep 22, 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche A40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which A40 engine oils…
- 11032387Apr 17, 2026Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the transmission oil. Part number 00004321012 is affected - the vehicles that use this part number should be included.
- 11032274Apr 8, 2026Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the transmission oil. The vehicles affected are ones that use the part number 00004330563
- 11030909Mar 5, 2026Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the transmission fluid. Part number 00004321048. The cars affected are ones that use the part number listed.
- 11029202Feb 27, 2026Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the (00004321048) Transmission fluid. The vehicles affected are ones that use the part number mentioned.
- 11029150Feb 12, 2026Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the 7 speed dual clutch gear box. Part numbers 0BG300047 and 0BG300047X are affected. Cars that are involved are ones that use…
- 11024071Sep 12, 2025Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the rear axle steering. The part numbers are 992501031H, 992501032H, 992501033AB, 992501033AC. The vehicles affected are cars…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology