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Porsche CayenneModel year report

2004 Porsche Cayenne Problems

Complaints
38filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
91,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 18 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 10 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine (9) and fuel system (9). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 32% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 91,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 407 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the gear position indication (prndl) and 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 54 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: Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Upon taking the vehicle out of the driveway I started hearing a ticking sound coming from the engine, something like a lifter hitting the block. I pulled back in to my driveway and called a repair shop and scheduled an appointment. When meeting with the technician I was informed that the engine had a scored cylinder and that it is a common issue with the model and year. The only recourse to fix the issue would be to replace the engine. A replacement engine would cost $17 -35,000 - more than the vehicle is worth. …”

NHTSA complaint #10630106, filed 2014-09, 95,000 miles

Engine: “Driving on interstate highway, check engine and add coolant lights on. Stopped added coolant, drove home parked in driveway. Out to use Cayenne again, noticed coolant on driveway, started engine coolant leak allover drive. Called Porsche dealer, not covered under warrenty, also 2 week backlog in getting repair, call independent service and had tow to independent garage. Replace all coolant pipes and water pump. After repair internal engine noise . Ok to drive.”

NHTSA complaint #10465403, filed 2012-07, 38,785 miles

Fuel system: “Recall #ah10. My truck leak gas everywhere; and I've called gaudin Porsche they said they're not doing any recalls at the moment. I can't afford to fix it nor can afford the gas lost.”

NHTSA complaint #11092779, filed 2018-05, 110,000 miles

Electrical system: “This vehicle allows you to be locked inside. After driving if the driver and passenger open their doors then the lock button is hit on the key (while the doors are still open), then the doors are closed anyone inside in unable to unlock any doors, even when hitting the unlock button inside the vehicle located on the door. This is a huge safety concern.”

NHTSA complaint #10807887, filed 2015-12, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

32% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,411 and 116,000 miles.

4%0–108%10–2520%25–508%50–7516%75–10024%100–15020%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (25 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 91,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’05’08’126’15’17’19’21’23
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 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 4WD/AWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic141815$5,500

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 2004 Porsche Cayenne → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 407 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 407 bulletins →

Other model years of the Porsche Cayenne

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20265—1—18—Too new
20255—2—18—Too new
20245—5—19—Too new
20235—2—18—Too new
20212131,0006—20—Falling
20202440,0005—20—Stable
20194712,0007—21100 · MoreRising
20181310,0001—19—Not enough data
20171841,0002—19—Rising
20164016,0002—2080 · MoreRising
20151416,0003—23—Not enough data
20145341,0003—1975 · MoreRising
20134066,0953—1925 · FewerStable
20122751,4504—1950 · TypicalFalling
20113064,5083—199 · FewerRising
20091584,2502—16—Stable
20082776,3883—1616 · FewerFalling
20064180,2523—15Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20053266,0004—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043891,0006—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Porsche Cayenne model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Porsche Cayenne have?

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 10 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine with 9.

Has the 2004 Porsche Cayenne been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 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 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Porsche Cayenne (Cayenne, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 91,000 miles and the middle half falls between 40,411 and 116,000 miles; 32% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.