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Porsche Cayenne SModel year report

2012 Porsche Cayenne S Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
85,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2012 Porsche Cayenne S (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 5 complaints (83% of the total), followed by engine (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 422 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 24 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 67 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.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “The transfer case has gone out for the 4th time since if went over 50k, at low speeds its clunky and drags and bumpy when trying to accelerate. I found other individuals having the same problem mutli times as myself and this is not cheap to fix. The dealer knows this is a problem but will not help with cost”

NHTSA complaint #11183067, filed 2019-02, 102,000 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2012 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v368000 (engine). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #11054502, filed 2017-12

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 79,000 and 102,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7567%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 85,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2017201832019
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 2012 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 AWD4.8L 8-cyl8-speed automatic162218$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

Recall details for the 2012 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. 422 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 422 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 2012 Porsche Cayenne S have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 5 complaints (83% of the total), followed by engine with 1.

Has the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S get?

The EPA rates the 2012 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 2012 Porsche Cayenne S reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,000 miles and the middle half falls between 79,000 and 102,000 miles; 0% 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.