2020 Porsche Cayenne Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 17%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Porsche Cayenne, 17% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“My Porsche 2020 s has breaking issues when in sport mode. When the car downshifts from 3rd to 2nd gear, and 2nd to 1st gear, this is a sudden jolt forward or lurging that occurs every time. This is a safety risk in bumper to bumper traffic as the car can suddenly jump forward a few feet more than intended by normal breaking. Even when driving and breaking explicitly to compensate for this transmission / breaking defect, the lurging issue cannot be avoided. …”
NHTSA complaint #11414419, filed 2021-04, 11,500 miles“The car is very jerky, I bought in for engine or transmission mount because the idle shakes the whole car. They said its normal. Which I don't think it's normal.”
NHTSA complaint #11621314, filed 2024-10“When downshifting and just before Coming to a complete stop and vehicle lurches/surges forward even though my foot is on the brake pedal. This happens in every drive mode with or without Autostart/stop engaged. It is Significantly challenging in stop and go traffic because it’s difficult to gage when the car will come to a complete stop. I have to make accommodation for the car lunging forward which is unpredictable because sometimes it’s a subtle surge forward and other times I have no control or idea how far forward the car is going to move. …”
NHTSA complaint #11500459, filed 2023-01“Everytime when vehicle coming to a stop car lurches forward few feets. It just happens when car downshifts from second to first gear transmission pushes you forward few feets, You just need to be very carefull because it can push you into another vehicle or pedastrian. Porsche is aware of it and have a software update in Europe only but not in USA”
NHTSA complaint #11626672, filed 2024-11Related recalls
- 20V271000May 13, 2020Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020 Cayenne vehicles. An insufficient weld on a transmission oil pipe may cause the vehicle…Covers: Porsche Cayenne 2020
Related service bulletins
- 11037838Sep 23, 2026Technical Information for Need to Replace Components of the High-Voltage Battery - High-Voltage Battery Control Unit / Cell module; No Mixed Installation Permitted: Observe…
- 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…
- 11037800Sep 8, 2026Technical Information for Yellow Warning Message “All-Wheel Drive System Malfunction”, “C12BEF6” and “C133700” in the All-Wheel Electronics Control Unit
- 11037057Aug 24, 2026Information on Advanced Technical Information for E3.I/G2 V8 – Oil/Air Separator Membrane Failure
- 11037070Aug 10, 2026Parts Information for Parts Withdrawal - Coolant Regulator Housing
- 11033596May 13, 2026Instructions on advanced technical information for E3 Cayenne Auxiliary Hydraulic Pump for Transmission Oil
- 11032387Apr 17, 2026Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the transmission oil. Part number 00004321012 is affected - the vehicles that use this part number should be included.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 20% |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2020 | 4 | 17% |
| 2019 | 6 | 13% |
| 2018 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 6% |
| 2016 | 7 | 18% |
| 2015 | 3 | 21% |
| 2014 | 17 | 32% |
| 2013 | 16 | 40% |
| 2012 | 12 | 44% |
| 2011 | 11 | 37% |
| 2009 | 6 | 40% |
| 2008 | 6 | 22% |
| 2006 | 8 | 20% |
| 2005 | 4 | 13% |
| 2004 | 10 | 26% |
Other parts of the 2020 Porsche Cayenne
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Porsche Cayenne
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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