2004 Porsche Cayenne: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 38 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (19% of complaints).
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 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Strong odor of gasoline traveling through the vents injected into vehicle. Fuel filter has a crack. Underhood electrical problems that may cause a fire”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2023
“The contact is a car seat technician. The contact worked with a family who owns a Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max Convertible Car Seat, as the technician was inspecting the car seat she noticed the chest clip was not working as needed. The magnetic piece that clips on the chest area comes out easily.”Owner report · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness · Dec 2022
“The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair appointment, he noticed that the steering wheel had a quarter inch of play. The U-Joint connection was severely corroded. The dealer diagnosed that the steering column and steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 266,969.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“There is a significant smell of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was a recall on the same make, model, and year for fuel pump filter flange leaks, which are indicative of a strong smell of gas inside the car. This can potentially cause the car to start on fire. The dealer stated due to the VIN, the vehicle was not covered under the existing recall.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2022
“Transmission transfer case issues immediately after acceleration between 3 gears... Car transmissions "stumbles" (transmission locking). Well known issue in the porsche community and porsche solution is does not fix the issue. No engine error codes issued as well. Porsche says cannot duplicate problem. This has been happening for quite a while until I researched the issues online. Previouse recall # 03v351000 - porsche will not currently honor this recall.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2019
“2004 porsche cayenne. Consumer writes in regards to transmission shift lever safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle was parked and rolled into another vehicle which, then crashed into a vehicle. The transmission shift lever failed and was replaced. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repairs to the vehicles. *js *js - (recall related incident) ts”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 porsche cayenne. While driving and accelerating, the driveshaft malfunctioned, which caused the vehicle to wobble and shake. The contact called momentum porsche (10155 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77074, (844) 894-5470) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 porsche cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v576000 (fuel system). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over five months ago. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer stated that the parts to do the repair were unavailable and was unable to confirm when the parts would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2018
“1) coolant pipe problems,porsche never fix them ,had pay to get them fix.(2) filter flange fuel pump leakage,problems porsche said unfortunately, at this time parts are not available.had it repair my owen money, did not want to chance a risk of fire.(3) transmission module problems did not shift right,had to buy new one.to many problems.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2018
“The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting), 19V446000 (Power Train), and 17V576000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to read accurately. The headlamp wiring had been deteriorating causing the headlights to malfunction. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. Parts distributions disconnect.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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 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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cayenne 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The most complained-about area is engine (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Porsche Cayenne problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 91,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Porsche Cayenne have open recalls?
6 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.