2011 Porsche Cayenne S: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 18 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine; the 2012 model year looks 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 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to illuminate properly. The contact stated that there was water intrusion in the headlight housings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the headlamps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the contact had not yet received the notification. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2024
“I came to a complete stop on a city street. I let my foot off the brake, then applied my foot back on the brake and the brake pad wouldn't go down, it was hard.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2019
“The coolant pipe design is flawed. The barb is glued and pressed in the aluminum body. Over time the glue loses its properties and the barb comes out thus causing massive coolant leak and the engine can overheat. The part was redisgned around 2015 where the barb is now threaded, but the original part is a safey hazard for the older models with potential huge repair costs.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle acts as if going over speed bump over 18mph also jerking and tugging on you as you accelerate making for hard turning in parking lots feels like front wheel is locking up also noticing safety concern wile coming to stop in traffic under about 3mph the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly learches forward as if engine has more power or something becomes un jammed. Transfer case has been replaced once already now out of warranty it feels as if a safety concern is the issue”Owner report · Power Train · May 2018
“Transfer case failed 2016 ; was replaced by dealer and failed again 2017. While driving failure affects shifting and acceleration.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2018
“Snapped aluminum camshaft sensor bolt resulted in total engine failure. This is a known issue by porsche ag has resulted in an amendment in an existing service bulletin (wc-22) and also a recall of over 14000 cayennes and panameras in china.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2016
“The camshaft actuator bolts break and causing internal damage to the engine, the vehicle lose power suddenly and difficult to engage the brake pedal.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2016
“Faulty camshaft bolts in early v8's of this generation (2011 models) resulting in loss of engine power, and sometimes brakes. Vehicle broke down in the middle of a busy road, luckily was not at highway speed or it could have been very dangerous.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2016
“Engine stalled while driving. Car taken to porsche dealership where they determined the camshaft controller needed to be replaced as it was broken. Paid $4000 in repairs in 2016. Porsche has since issued a recall for this issue, however they will not reimburse for the previous repairs as they noted. No response on timing.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
“A 'hybrid system failure' message is received while the vehicle is in motion (normal driving, and/or accelerated driving), or upon initial start-up of the engine. The hybrid system them fails to 'e' charge as it should. After a few days error may disappear, but randomly resurfaces each time.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2015
Recalls - 4 campaigns
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo vehicles, 2011-2012 Panamera and Panamera 4 vehicles, and 2011 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles. The affected vehicles have camshaft controllers that may come loose inside the engine, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fastening screws for the camshaft adjusters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH08.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cayenne S Hybrid, and 2012 Panamera S Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 26, 2011, to August 2, 2012. The fuel injection system may leak.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails, free of charge. The recall began on April 17, 2015. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243.
PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CAYENNE, CAYENNE S, CAYENNE S HYBRID, AND CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 8, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2012 BECAUSE THE HEADLAMPS MAY COME LOOSE AND DETACH FROM THE FENDER.
Remedy: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP LOCKING ASSEMBLIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.
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 2011 Porsche Cayenne S reliable?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine. 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.