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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2012 Porsche Cayenne S Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
83%of 6 total for the year
Median mileage
85,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S, 83% of the 6 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“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

“The Porsche dealer informed me the bumping noise while accelerating is the transfer case. It is a common problem on all 2012 cayenne cars. The transfer case will make the bumping noise when accelerating. It will eventually slip to the dangerous point. This is when you accelerate into traffic and the transfer case only slips and leaves the sitting in traffic unable to move. The repair is $5000 and replaces the transfer case. The new transfer case corrects the design flaw. The flaw was in the transfer case vents that would allow water to build up in the case. …”

NHTSA complaint #11157213, filed 2018-12, 85,000 miles

“Faulty transfer case the car had a bumpy and violent shudder at slow speeds when attempting to accelerate. Feels like misfiring and then grinding and the car does not respond to the accelerator. It was dangerous when attempting to accelerate into traffic. I called to make an appointment and with a simple explanation they diagnosed it over the phone. The dealership acknowledged that these transfer cases were failing regularly and that the parts were redesigned and even stocked in the dealership since it happens so regularly. …”

NHTSA complaint #11058321, filed 2018-01

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012583%
2011318%
2008120%
2006215%
20041429%

Other parts of the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S

Engine
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 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