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Porsche CayenneModel year report

2014 Porsche Cayenne Problems

Compared with other Porsche Cayenne years

More complaints than typical for this model

75/100 1.8× 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
53filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
41,000miles, 33 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher 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 2014 Porsche Cayenne (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this 2014 Porsche Cayenne most often describe transfer case failures, with shudders, lurches, rattles, and occasional stalls, and most recorded mileage falls between about 42,000 and 77,000 miles. Dashboard leather shrinkage, which owners link to possible airbag deployment problems, is also common in the sample. Other complaints describe hesitation when pulling away, water getting into lights or wiring after washes, and sudden engine stalls.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transfer case shudder, lurch, and failure

    • 14 complaints (26%)
    • median 64,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • filed 2017–2021

    Owners describe transfer case noise, shuddering, rattling, or lurching when accelerating, and in some cases loss of power or a stall. Many say the dealer diagnosed the transfer case and replaced it, and some report the same symptoms returned after the replacement. Others describe high out-of-warranty replacement costs, and a dealer reportedly said parts were on back order. Recorded mileage runs from about 12,000 to 101,000 miles, and most recorded figures fall between about 42,000 and 77,000 miles.

    What to check: Ask for repair records showing whether the transfer case has already been replaced, and check the warranty status of that work. On a test drive, check for shudder, lurching, or rattling when accelerating from a stop and when gears change.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Car lurches starting around 25 miles per hour and continuing until reaching a cruising speed 50 or thereabouts. Took it in for an oil change at a german car repair company and asked them to evaluate my findings. The transfer case needs to be replaced. I hear this is an issue with cayennes and its a very pricey and impactful problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #11222796, filed 2019-06, 52,000 miles

    “At about 25,000 the Cayenne started making bump upon acceleration and especially when turning. I understand this can be a safety issue unless addressed .the dealer diagnosed the problem as the transfer case which was replaced. Now we have 49,000 miles on the vehicle and it is starting to exhibit the same transfer case symptoms as before. In googling the internet this problem seems to be quite prevalent with both the Porsche Cayenne and macan. Moreover, the cost replace a transfer case is in the $5,000 when our of warranty which my 2014 is now. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11292266, filed 2019-12, 49,000 miles
  2. Air bags

    Dashboard leather shrinkage and airbag concerns

    • 8 complaints (15%)
    • typically at 11.1 yrs old
    • filed 2024–2025

    Owners describe the dashboard leather shrinking and loosening, with staples pulling out and sometimes exposed, and in some cases the leather sits over the passenger airbag area. Many complaints say a dealer or repair technician warned that the airbag might not deploy correctly in a crash, and that the dealer recommended replacing the dashboard. Some describe the problem as common on these models and say no recall had been issued. Mileage is not stated in these complaints, which were filed in 2024 and 2025.

    What to check: Ask whether the dashboard leather and the passenger airbag area were inspected, and whether the dealer recommended replacement. Before buying, look for shrunken or lifting leather, exposed staples, or a misaligned passenger airbag cover.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Posche dashboard leather coming apart at the staples. I was informed that if involved in an accident the airbags might not deploy. The Porsche dealer inspected and recommended replacing it. This issue has been on going with Porsche since it first began within the first few years of owning this brand new vehicle. I was informed that this is a very common issue, and a very serious safety issue with no recall issued as of yet. Please help us”

    NHTSA complaint #11666724, filed 2025-06

    “Porsche dashboard leather shrunk, shifted position, and staples pulled out. Repair technician said if vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. Porsche dealer has stated if the dashboard leather material gets in this state, they recommend replacing it. This is a very common issue.”

    NHTSA complaint #11621328, filed 2024-10
  3. Engine

    Hesitation or jerking when pulling away

    • 9 complaints (17%)
    • median 64,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2018–2022

    Owners describe a lag of a few seconds when pressing the accelerator from a stop, sometimes with no power before the car jumps forward, often when pulling out into traffic or turning right. Others describe the car skipping, shuddering, or jerking between second and fifth gears when accelerating from a stop. A diesel owner says a dealer called the lag normal after an emissions update. Recorded mileage is from about 400 to 97,000 miles, and the lag is described as intermittent rather than constant.

    What to check: Ask whether the emissions update was performed and whether any throttle or transmission software updates have been applied. On a test drive, check for lag or jerking when pulling away from a stop, including a right turn from a stop.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Huge lag when pressing on acceleration petal when pulling out into traffic from a stop. It does not happen every time. It is intermittent. It seems to happen more frequently when you are turning right. It does not matter if you push the accelerator down , , or clear to the floor, when it happens you have no power for a couple of seconds. Never had this problem before the government mandate recall for emissions. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11267682, filed 2019-10, 97,000 miles

    “When accelerating from a stop gears seems to be missing and jumpy between 2-5 gears, like shudders on gears. I read that it's common problem with Cayenne. This needs to be addressed by Porsche as it is very costly. Vehicle only have 21,000 miles.”

    NHTSA complaint #11291288, filed 2019-12, 400 miles
  4. Engine

    Engine stalls or will not restart

    • 8 complaints (15%)
    • median 6,950 mi at 1.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2014–2025

    Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving, with dashboard warnings and weaker power steering and brakes at about 30 to 35 mph. Another describes a restart message appearing while in park, with the engine stopping within minutes. A diesel owner describes a high-pressure fuel pump failure that stalled the car and could not be restarted, and a separate diesel report says a dealer attributed a no-start to fuel gelling and recommended a fuel additive. Where mileage is recorded, these engine stops occur between about 1,800 and 9,200 miles, and the fuel pump complaint gives no mileage.

    What to check: Ask whether the fuel system and high-pressure fuel pump have been inspected, and ask for records of any stall or no-start repairs. Before buying, confirm the engine restarts reliably after a cold start and that no restart or power warning appears on the dashboard.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was exiting the highway into a rest area, and at about 30-35mph the car's engine suddenly cut out. All the dashboard warning lights lit up, the power steering failed, and even with the brake to the floor the car would barely slow down. I put the car in park and restarted it and it drove normally. I'm now afraid to drive my brand new car, because if the engine cuts out in the middle of an intersection or turning left against traffic, I could be involved in a very serious crash. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10695223, filed 2015-03, 1,800 miles

    “The car would not start after multiple attempts. The SUV needed to be towed to the nearest dealership. They said the fuel gelled and recommended that I have the fuel station place the 'correct additive' to the diesel fuel. My husband has had two diesel vehicles from other car manufacturers for the past 4 years, but he has never had any engine start problems. He is still filling his tank at the same station. Since then, I have changed the diesel fuel station and now go to another busy place. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10561242, filed 2014-01, 4,700 miles
  5. Exterior lighting

    Water entering lights and wiring after washes

    Mentioned in 4 of 45 sampled complaints

    Owners describe brake, running, or headlights failing after a car wash or rain, with water entering the cabin, a sound module, or lamp assemblies. A complaint attributes the water problem to inadequate drainage, and another says the lights went out with no dashboard warning. In another report, a gap between the bumper and headlights reportedly let water into the headlight assemblies, and the bulbs were replaced repeatedly. Recorded mileage in this group runs from about 5,000 to 75,600 miles, and some of these complaints name a car wash as the trigger.

    Recall 22V656000

    What to check: Ask whether the headlight adjustment screw cap recall work and any water-leak inspection have been completed. On a test drive or inspection, confirm that the brake lights, running lights, and headlights all work, including the third brake light.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Last week I took my car to car wash, After that my right passenger side light went off. water went in the rear sound control module and I lost sound too. my gps sound comes from woofer only. I heard from a by other Porsche owners that porsche had recall on rear lights, But I was never informed.”

    NHTSA complaint #11614240, filed 2024-09

    “After going through the car wash, I lost my rear brake lights and rear running lights. Still have the third brake light. From reading on many Porsche form sites, this is a common issue. The vehicle does not have adequate drains, in return, water leaks into multiple areas of the vehicle causing electrical shortages. You do not get any warning bells, or signs on the dash that you do not have rear taillights. It is a very dangerous issue.”

    NHTSA complaint #11452844, filed 2022-02

Buying note. Ask for repair records on the transfer case and check whether any headlight recall work is still open before buying. On a test drive, check for shudder or lurching when pulling away and confirm that all lights and dashboard warnings work normally.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 53 consumer complaints for the 2014 Porsche Cayenne. 33 of the complaints include a mileage, and 61% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 41,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 520 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 6 Porsche Cayenne model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 75 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than 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: Wheels (2), Steering (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “While accelerating transmission shifting from 2 to 5 gear, it shudders and power lurches. Same while making turn at stop sign from stop to accelerate at city street power lurches. Possible to cause t bone accident. High chances of complete power loss due to transmission failure due to faulty tranfer case resulting in catastrophic accident. Ask Porsche to replace tranfer case with new designed tranfer case.”

NHTSA complaint #11282727, filed 2019-11, 64,000 miles

Other or unknown: “On multiple occasions we are not able to remove the electronic key from the ignition when the transmission selector is placed in the park position. This has happened approximately 20 times in the last six months on the street in parking lots and at home. I have video of the failure.”

NHTSA complaint #10870156, filed 2016-05, 11,000 miles

Air bags: “Leather of the dashboard began to shrink on both driver and passenger sides. The shrunk leather exposed metal staples used to keep it in place and disfigured the passenger airbag compartment. An independent mechanic suggested that, in case of an accident, an airbag may not deploy correctly and the exposed staples may become a hazard. This appears to be a common problem of Porsche owners with leather dashboards.”

NHTSA complaint #11627071, filed 2024-11

Fuel system: “While driving on the city street for about 10 minutes when a message fault-fuel gauge popped up on my instrument cluster. Tried to fill the tank at the gas station but then the tank was full however the fuel gauge incorrectly indicating the tank is only 1/2 full.message would intermittently come on while driving. This vehicle was manufactured in june 2014 not recalled nor corrected by Porsche manufacturer in their recall of 2014 model. Car mileage is only 39,563 and this cars VIN was not included on Porsche recalls. …”

NHTSA complaint #11173586, filed 2019-02, 39,563 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

61% of the 33 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 74,500 miles.

24%0–1018%10–2518%25–5015%50–7521%75–1003%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (33 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 41,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20152017201914202120232025
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 2014 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
Cayenne Diesel AWD3.0L 6-cyl · diesel8-speed automatic202923$4,150

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 2014 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. 520 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 520 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

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Porsche Cayenne?

Owners of this 2014 Porsche Cayenne most often describe transfer case failures, with shudders, lurches, rattles, and occasional stalls, and most recorded mileage falls between about 42,000 and 77,000 miles. The issues reported most often: Transfer case shudder, lurch, and failure; Dashboard leather shrinkage and airbag concerns; Hesitation or jerking when pulling away.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2014 Porsche Cayenne have?

NHTSA recorded 53 consumer complaints for the 2014 Porsche Cayenne as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2014 Porsche Cayenne is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 17 complaints (32% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 11.

Has the 2014 Porsche Cayenne been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2014 Porsche Cayenne get?

The EPA rates the 2014 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 2014 Porsche Cayenne reported?

Among the 33 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 41,000 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 74,500 miles; 61% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.