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Porsche CayenneModel year report

2005 Porsche Cayenne Problems

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
66,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns 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 2005 Porsche Cayenne (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2005 Porsche Cayenne. The part named most often is fuel system, with 16 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling (7) and air bags (4). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 66,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 407 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 47 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: Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “I paid for this recall 17v-576 and never received my reimbursement for this issue from Porsche. They owe me $1800.00 I want to be reimbursed immediately. I spent a lot of money repairing this vehicle constantly. Very poorly made.”

NHTSA complaint #11056292, filed 2017-12, 78,000 miles

Engine cooling: “1) the visit workshop light appeared on my new 2005 Porsche 911 carrera s. 2) on november 30, 2004 the vehicle was running fine with the workshop light on. The vehicle then suddenly lost engine power at 65 MPH durring acceleration on the nj turnpike. The loss of engine power caused several tractor-trailers to nearly colide with my vehicle, and with others, while I proceeded twords the sholder area. The vehicle was then able to run enough on the sholder at 15 to 30 MPH to a safe exit off the turnpike. …”

NHTSA complaint #10102150, filed 2004-12, 4,159 miles

Air bags: “I noticed a recall on your site for my VIN # but I have not been reached by Porsche to fix. I'm unsure if this has been the culprit of my check engine light and airbag light being illuminated on my dash.”

NHTSA complaint #11157001, filed 2018-12, 120,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Since I have had the vehicle I have had to replace the drive shaft 3 times. Porsche replaced it once under warranty and the other two times I had to pay in excess of $900.00 to have it replaced. I have been told by Porsche that it has a defiective rubber seal and when the seal fails so does he drive shaft. This is a common defect and is know by Porsche at the dealers and the manufacturer. They have acknowledged the defect to me. My concern is if the drive shaft totally fails and breaks, not just flexing and hitting the floor, it could cause an accident by making the vehicle go out of control.”

NHTSA complaint #10466627, filed 2012-07, 30,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 120,000 miles.

10%0–1010%10–2519%25–5014%50–7510%75–10014%100–15024%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 66,000 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.

’05’07’12’179’19’22’25
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 2005 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
Cayenne 4WD/AWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual131915$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 2005 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 2005 Porsche Cayenne have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2005 Porsche Cayenne as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Porsche Cayenne is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 16 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 7.

Has the 2005 Porsche Cayenne been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Porsche Cayenne get?

The EPA rates the 2005 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 2005 Porsche Cayenne reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 66,000 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 120,000 miles; 38% 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.