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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2016 Porsche Cayenne Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
18%of 40 total for the year
Median mileage
28,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Porsche Cayenne, 18% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,500 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.

“Last week I had my car for 20000 mile service and the technician noticed vibration with acceleration and advised the transfer case be replaced which was done 10/28. I contacted Porsche USA as I was concerned with this being a relatively new vehicle and the problem with transfer case so fast.I was told it was a manufacturing defect and the transfer case was replaced with a re manufactured one and not a new one. When I wrote to them I was contacted today and told that was not a possibility. …”

NHTSA complaint #11042194, filed 2017-11, 20,000 miles

“42,000 miles on the 2016 Cayenne gts. $110,000 original sticker. Transfer case needed to be replaced ($5,000+ charge). Service rep told me they replace 5 transfer cases each week at just their dealership. Clearly a defect that should be subject to recall. He knew in 5 seconds what the problem was when I originally called to schedule an appointment. Porsche USA refused to take responsibility for the cost of repair. Warranty expired 5/31/19. Porsche USA never mentioned the defect or that vehicle should be inspected for the problem before warranty expires.”

NHTSA complaint #11267365, filed 2019-10, 42,000 miles

“Car lost all acceleration and engine shut completely off happens frequently. Car on separate occasion sieved and shook violently to a stop on the road multiple times.”

NHTSA complaint #11076124, filed 2018-03, 18,600 miles

“When slowing almost to a stop, and then need to accelerate, such as slowing for a yield sign, then trying to merge, vehicle is non responsive to throttle input for at least a second, or more. This has put me and others at risk because I assume I'm going to be able to accelerate when pull into traffic and am not able to. The dealer has had the vehicle but was unable to reproduce. It does not always do it, there's some combination of engine, drivetrain or fuel management it's in that does this. I have disabled start/stop mode. There are no system messages or OBD errors. …”

NHTSA complaint #11435158, filed 2021-10

“At slow speed, under acceleration, the transfer case slips, and makes a thumping noise. Over time, the car has poor acceleration when trying to get up to speed with other cars. The dealer has confirmed that this is a problem with Porsche Cayennes. Thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #11525322, filed 2023-06

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026120%
2021210%
2020417%
2019613%
201818%
201716%
2016718%
2015321%
20141732%
20131640%
20121244%
20111137%
2009640%
2008622%
2006820%
2005413%
20041026%

Other parts of the 2016 Porsche Cayenne

Other or unknown
16 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Electrical system
3 complaints
Lane departure
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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