2004 Porsche Cayenne S: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 48 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (19% of complaints); the 2003 and 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“2004 porsche cayenne. Consumer writes in regards to issues with the fuel filter flange safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the fuel filter flange could not be replaced without replacing the fuel tank and the fuel line. The consumer requested that manufacturer incur the repair costs. *js”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2018
“Received recall notice for filter flange of fuel pump. Called dealer who said did not have repair parts and does not know when they will get them. Called porsche u.s. And they told me the same thing. No date for receiving parts or repairing my car.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 porsche cayenne s. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 17v576000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to perform the repair. The dealer (european imports center, 808 parkway drive, harrisburg, pennsylvania 17103) confirmed that parts were not available to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2018
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“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 porsche cayenne s. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 17v576000 (fuel system); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (len stoler porsche in owings mills, maryland) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2017
“Porsche announced their "campaign" (recall) on november 14, 2017. I have called several porsche dealers since that time, and the parts for this recall are not available. One dealer says it could be "another couple of months" before the part is available. The ah10 campaign says that this situation can cause a fire! Is this what porsche is waiting for? Something needs to be done to get them to produce the parts necessary to prevent significant injury or death.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 porsche cayenne s. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 17v576000 (fuel system, gasoline) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact received the recall notification in november of 2017. The dealer (circle porsche, 1850 outer traffic cir, long beach, ca 90815) stated that the parts were unavailable for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were unavailable for the repair. It was unknown when the parts would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2017
“Since this recall was initiated in 2017, there has been no update or timeline for expected remedy to this campaign. (ah10). Porsche dealer has no information or eta for repair yet and it's been 6 months! Now almost april 2018.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2017
“Car was bought as certified porsche in mar 2011 with 66k miles; current miles 165k miles; driven approx. For 100k miles in 6 years. Engine clicking noise was getting louder and louder. Told by mechanics that the "f" cyn. Walls are scored and engine needs to be replace. Checked on-line for this condition with other v-8 porsche owners to find that it's very common. This seems like a design issue and safety wise ( no power, miss firing and stalling). A $100k new should not have a v-8 engine that has a design defect that is worth less at such low miles.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2016
“Porsche has recalled the 2011 for headlight becoming loose. I have a 2004 with same problem. Any type of vibration or bump it becomes loose safety hazard when driving at night. Porsche is aware of driveshaft clunking because of faulty bushings and will not recall driveshafts it clunks whenn you need to accelerate to passs a semi but also when slowing down to a stop it also does it too. Porsche dealerbin wallingford ct will not acknowledge workshop campaigns.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2016
“While driving with both of my children in the rain my entire car locked and my windshield wipes stopped my windows wouldn't roll down and my doors locked on and off my alarm system started to go off uncontrollably even while driving porsche isn't being of any help giving me run arounds also my check engine light came on in the process of the incident”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles, 2004-2006 Cayenne vehicles, and 2006 Cayenne S "Titanium" Edition vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH10.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) AND GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AS REQUIRED BY PART 567.4(G)(3) AND (G)(4).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL APPLY THE CORRECTED LABEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT IS INSUFFICIENT RIVETED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BELT BUCKLE LATCH AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAMES WERE NOT ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD A TRANSFER CASE INSTALLED THAT COULD, DUE TO CHANGES IN THE HOUSING CASTING, RESULT IN THE OIL PUMP ROTATION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, OIL STARVATION OF THE INTERNAL GEARS MIGHT RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED. DAMAGE TO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS CAN LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." ALL THREE REAR SEAT POSITIONS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER POSITION ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT HAVE A LOCKING FEATURE WHICH CONVERTS THE RETRACTOR FROM AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE TO AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION. THE BELT MAY DEACTIVATE THE ALR MODE WITH CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY INSTALL A CLIP IN EITHER OF THE AFFECTED REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS AND PROVIDE AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT. THE CLIPS WILL PREVENT UNWARRANTED CONVERSION FROM ALR TO ELR MODE WITH CHILD SEAT INSTALLATION. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 17, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cayenne S by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S reliable?
NHTSA has 48 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S. The most complained-about area is power train (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Porsche Cayenne S problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,500 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.