2011 Porsche Cayenne S Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles, 17 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.8L 8-cyl AWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. The part named most often is engine, with 12 complaints (71% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and brakes (2). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 415 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 58 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 26 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Engine12 71%
- Brakes2 12%
- Exterior lighting1 5.9%
Example complaints
Engine: “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 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Vehicle acts as if going over speed bump over 18mph also jerking and tugging on you as you accelerate making for hard turning in parking lots feels like front wheel is locking up also noticing safety concern wile coming to stop in traffic under about 3mph the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly learches forward as if engine has more power or something becomes un jammed. Transfer case has been replaced once already now out of warranty it feels as if a safety concern is the issue”
NHTSA complaint #11092619, filed 2018-05, 102,000 milesBrakes: “Very scary and dangerous experience engine stalled after filling up with gas. The vehicle required two or three attempts to start. I exited the gas station onto the ramp for the interstate. The car suddenly locked up less than a mile down the interstate while driving 70, MPH. There was no power braking or power steering at all. Fortunately, I remained in the far right lane and momentum carried the vehicle off the next exit ramp before vehicle completely shut off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11000763, filed 2017-06, 140,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,365 and 80,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayenne S AWD | 4.8L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
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
- 22V656000Aug 30, 2022Exterior lighting › HeadlightsCovers: Porsche Cayenne S 2003–2006, 2008–2009, 2011–2015, Cayenne 2003–2006, 2008–2017, Cayenne Turbo 2006, 2008–2016 +16 more
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all…
- 17V368000Jun 7, 2017EngineCovers: Porsche Cayenne S 2011, Panamera Turbo 2010–2012, Panamera 4S 2010–2012 +4 more
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo vehicles, 2011-2012 Panamera and Panamera 4 vehicles, and 2011 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles. The affected vehicles have camshaft…
- 12V065000Feb 21, 2012Exterior lighting › HeadlightsCovers: Porsche Cayenne S 2011–2012, Cayenne 2011–2012, Cayenne S Hybrid 2011–2012 +1 more
Porsche is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 cayenne, cayenne s, cayenne s hybrid, and cayenne turbo vehicles manufactured from march 8, 2010, through january 31, 2012 because the headlamps may come loose and detach from the fender.
Recall details for the 2011 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. 415 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037816Sep 22, 2026Transmission and drivetrain, Engine. Manufacturer'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 allocated.
- 11037813Sep 22, 2026Engine, Transmission and drivetrain. Manufacturer'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 allocated.
- 11037812Sep 22, 2026Transmission and drivetrain, Engine. Manufacturer'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 allocated.
- 11037808Sep 22, 2026Engine, Transmission and drivetrain. Manufacturer'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 are assigned. Model…
- 11037868Sep 14, 2026Wheels, Suspension, Steering. Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q3 2026 Software Spec Update Available
- 11037795Sep 1, 2026Electrical system. Technical Information for Damage to Nano Plug Contacts Due to Utilization of Incorrect Measuring Equipment
- 11037085Aug 28, 2026Other or unknown. Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers
- 11037083Aug 17, 2026Suspension, Wheels, Steering. Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available
- 11037072Aug 14, 2026Other or unknown. Product Knowledge for Model Type Designations
- 11037071Aug 14, 2026Other or unknown. Product Knowledge for Chassis/VIN Numbering Systems
Other model years of the Porsche Cayenne S
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 6 | 85,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 17 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Rising |
| 2008 | 5 | 111,000 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 13 | 79,634 | 3 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 10 | 74,800 | 4 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 48 | 60,000 | 9 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Porsche Cayenne S model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 12 complaints (71% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S (Cayenne S, 4.8L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S reported?
Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 48,365 and 80,000 miles; 29% 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.