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Porsche CayenneModel year report

2012 Porsche Cayenne Problems

Compared with other Porsche Cayenne years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011, 2013

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
51,450miles, 20 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
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl AWD · 17 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 12 complaints (44% of the total), followed by other or unknown (7) and engine (4). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 51,450 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 479 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 27 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 97 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 6 Porsche Cayenne model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Car had a skipping feeling when driving especially when turning. Vehicle has only 20,000 miles and transfer box has to be replaced. They charged me 4660.47 for the replacement claiming the five year warranty expired. The car is always garaged and used during the winter. When I complained to Porsche they sent me a check for $950.”

NHTSA complaint #11048376, filed 2017-11, 20,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Recall work mishandled and caused problem: I went to Porsche for a regular oil change. They said that there is an active recall on camshaft and they can also be performed while the car is in. Now when I went to get my car back they said the engine light was on and when they checked the tech says the parts seems to be all new and it was done at a different work shop. They asked me to go to the shop and check with them. But I told them it was done few months back and I had no issues at all and the car didnt have any issues when I gave it for oil change( no check engine light). …”

NHTSA complaint #11383645, filed 2020-12, 99,700 miles

Engine: “I have a 2012 Porsche Cayenne s hybrid. It is suffering from the defect described in this recall campaign: 17v36800. The bolts that hold the camshaft in place have sheared off. Porsche is refusing any type of consideration because the VIN is not in the recall list, but it is in the year of the recall and suffers from the issue. I was driving the vehicle on the highway and the check engine light came on. The vehicle lost power and the engine started knocking. I was able to coast to the shoulder. I had to call my wife and have it towed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11329783, filed 2020-06, 90,000 miles

Electrical system: “Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Porsche Cayenne. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale from Facebook Market Place. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 125,383, but after performing an AutoCheck of the vehicle, it was discovered that the mileage was 205,154.”

NHTSA complaint #11748836, filed 2026-07, 205,154 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 85,000 miles.

20%0–1010%10–2520%25–5015%50–7520%75–10010%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 51,450 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.

201320172019920222026
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 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 AWD3.6L 6-cyl8-speed automatic172319$4,350
Cayenne AWD3.6L 6-cyl6-speed manual152217$4,850

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 → · 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. 479 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 479 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 2012 Porsche Cayenne have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 12 complaints (44% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 7.

Has the 2012 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 2012 Porsche Cayenne get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Porsche Cayenne (Cayenne, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Porsche Cayenne reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 51,450 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 85,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.