2011 Porsche Cayenne: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (39% of complaints); the 2009 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 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“At highway speeds, randomly a serious unsafe to operate 'service necessary' warning appears on the instrument panel and the cruise control malfunctions; abruptly shutting off. With the service necessary warning indicated, the vehicle is unsafe to operate. This unsafe vehicle is not drive-able with cruise control. Error will go away on its own. This breakdown appears to be known to porsche based on what I have seen on internet community sites”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Dec 2024
“The leather on my Porsche Cayenne dashboard has shrunk and is pulling away from the front of the dashboard. My mechanic tells me that this is a possible safety issue because if the vehicle is in an accident, the front passenger airbag may not deploy correctly and recommends replacing (expensive). In checking various Porsche online forums, this appears to be a common issue among owners with the more expensive leather dashboards.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2024
“Porsche dash material is separating from the substrate of the structure. This material is directly between the airbag and the now loose material on the surface of the dash (leather). Porsche will not repair this and recommends a replacement at an estimated $10,000 USD. There is a significant risk to safety as the now loose upper material will interfere with the deployment of the airbag on the passenger side, adding potential harm and injury to a passenger inside the vehicle.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“My vehicle has camshaft and crankshaft correlation problems due to the well-known problem with its screws and other things. I reported it to Porsche and they told me that it has already been repaired but I don't understand how to fail again and deny help for its repair.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2024
“2011 Porsche Cayenne S Model- Consumer is writing in reference to Porsche Recall ANB4. Requesting investigation into the rubber sealer replacements and ordering the Porsche Cars North America to redo the recall for all subjected vehicles after providing enough headlight rubber sealers to dealerships. Recall letter & pictures attached.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2023
“2011 Cayenne Turbo: Vehicle has had recent transfer case servicing. Experiencing a grinding sensation on roundabouts, and turns that almost feels as if the brake is applied. If issue continues to worsen, it could easily cause an accident as a sudden speed reduction on a roundabout, or turn may prompt unaware/inattentive drivers to rear-end me, or worse. Dealership is citing transfer case failure, however, my vehicle is one year removed from the end of the extended warranty campaign and is no longer eligible for a replacement unit.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2022
“The aluminum bolts on the timing cover are broken causing an oil leak. If the all bolts are made of aluminum then what about the transfer case? I've heard about near accidents because of bolts breaking either because of the material difference between the bolts and the magnesium in the motor. It has occurred on other models of porsches. Porsche should recall and fix the aluminum bolts on all parts.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2020
“Very dangerous situation with my 2011 cayenne s -- just replaced transfer case in july 2017 (less than 3 years ago) due to unexpected pausing/hesitating when accelerating, and now the exact same problem occurred again!!! Searched online and read similar comments made by others with the same problem. Porsche has to recall and fix this -- it's very dangerous and could be life-threatening. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2020
“Intake camshafts adjuster bolts broke while in motion on city street c@p case with porsche # 0005611574 manufacturer campaign number : ah08”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2020
“Car had transfer case replaced at 20k and now told to do again at 46k. Sudden jerk and loss of acceleration when car is going from 3 to 4 gear or under 25mph. Issue seems to be pretty much on most cayennes and cost $5000 to repair. Mine is a 2014 model”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly circlip, installing any missing circlips, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG02.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 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 2011 Porsche Cayenne reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne. The most complained-about area is power train (39% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Porsche Cayenne problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,509 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages. 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.