2013 Porsche Cayenne Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 18%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,361miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Porsche Cayenne, 18% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,361 miles.
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.
“When accelerating the vehicle sputters and catches. This is extremely dangerous if trying to accelerate on a highway or should you need to accelerate to avoid a collision. My vehicle was bought brand new and currently only has 23,600 miles on it. This should not happen to a car with very low mileage. This issue happens while turning, while on the highway, while in reverse, and while on a city street. I took the car to Porsche and they identified that the car needs a new transfer case. This is unacceptable as this is extremely dangerous. This issue seems to have happened on 100s of porsches.”
NHTSA complaint #11203506, filed 2019-04, 24,000 miles“At 52361 mileage, found oil leaking from the engine. The front engine cover is leaking and will need to be resealed. Engine will need to be removed and alignment will be necessary due to disruption of sub frame and suspension components.”
NHTSA complaint #11197365, filed 2019-04, 52,361 miles“The Porsche Cayenne diesel is designed to not restart when the adblue exhaust chemical is too low. This seems reasonable. However, the vehicle is also designed to not restart when the adblue reaches a low point, even when it is refilled to full capacity. According to Porsche the vehicle must be brought to an certified Porsche dealership for this to be reset, so the car can be driven. Again, this occurs even when the adblue if refilled to full capacity. …”
NHTSA complaint #11012570, filed 2017-08, 125,000 miles“Purchased a 2013 Cayenne Porsche gts with 67k miles on it. Noticed a kind of thumping sound when accelerating, usually appearing at 3k rpms. Vehicle shudders and almost feels like the transmission is slipping. Took the vehicle to a mechanic to diagnose the fault and they immediately knew what it was, engine transfer case failure. This is due to a design flaw allowing water into the transfer case that Porsche is aware of and yet to address. On some occasions Porsche will pay for the $5k repair but the part is still replaced with a transfer case with the same flaw. …”
NHTSA complaint #11269753, filed 2019-10, 67,000 miles“This vehicle qualified for the Volkswagen Emissions Recall, yet from the start of the recall through 2018 settlement lawsuit dates , no correspondence was sent (by Porsche nor VW). …”
NHTSA complaint #11724527, filed 2026-03Related service bulletins
- 11037816Sep 22, 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C40 engine oils are…
- 11037813Sep 22, 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C20 engine oils are…
- 11037812Sep 22, 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which C30 engine oils are…
- 11037808Sep 22, 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche A40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which A40 engine oils…
- 11035916Jul 22, 2026Allocation of Approved Engine Oils MY 2027 (13/26)
- 11034777Jun 25, 2026Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils (20/26)
- 11034776Jun 25, 2026Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils (19/26)
- 11034775Jun 25, 2026Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils (21/26)
- 11034774Jun 25, 2026Overview of Approved Porsche A40 Engine Oils (15/26)
- 11034773Jun 25, 2026Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils (16/26)
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 14% |
| 2020 | 7 | 29% |
| 2019 | 6 | 13% |
| 2018 | 3 | 23% |
| 2017 | 3 | 17% |
| 2016 | 5 | 13% |
| 2015 | 3 | 21% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 7 | 18% |
| 2012 | 4 | 15% |
| 2011 | 12 | 40% |
| 2008 | 6 | 22% |
| 2006 | 3 | 7% |
| 2005 | 1 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2013 Porsche Cayenne
16 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Porsche Cayenne
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology