2012 Porsche Cayenne: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · 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 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Porsche Cayenne. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale from Facebook Market Place. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 125,383, but after performing an AutoCheck of the vehicle, it was discovered that the mileage was 205,154.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out around passenger side airbag. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2022
“I have a 2012 porsche cayenne s hybrid. It is suffering from the defect described in this recall campaign: 17v36800. The bolts that hold the camshaft in place have sheared off. Porsche is refusing any type of consideration because the VIN is not in the recall list, but it is in the year of the recall and suffers from the issue. I was driving the vehicle on the highway and the check engine light came on. The vehicle lost power and the engine started knocking. I was able to coast to the shoulder. I had to call my wife and have it towed. The dealer told me it would cost 14k+ to repair and they would need the vehicle for a month. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“The transfer case in this car is failing at 53,000 miles causing unsafe, jerking acceleration leading to total breakdown/shutdown if not corrected. Numerous owners experience the same issue. The manufacturer acknowledges the defect and is now providing newly designed repair parts described as permanently solving the problem and covered by a 2-year warranty at a cost in excess of $5,500 retail”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2019
“Power drivers seat moved fore/aft and up/down while driving on highway on 10.22.2019 on its own. Moving driver away from contact with either brake or gas pedal and a unnaturally long reach to steering wheel. Driver engaged buttons to move seat forward, pulled off to safe location and shut down/restarted car. Problem continued upon restart”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2019
“Clunking / surging (almost feels like a misfire) after car warms up in second and third gear. Seems to be with the transfer case. Purchases car used 30 days ago and this issue started to appear after I had the vehicle and driving it for a couple of days. Now find that this is a common issue with cayennes.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2019
“The transfer case in this car is failing at 53,000 miles causing unsafe, jerking acceleration leading to total breakdown/shutdown if not corrected. Numerous owners experience the same issue. The manufacturer acknowledges the defect and is now providing newly designed repair parts described as permanently solving the problem and covered by a 2-year warranty at a cost in excess of $5,500 retail.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2019
“I got the cayenne from 2012 in 01/17/2017 tree days after buying the suv transfer case was not working correctly, when shifting to 3rd gear noise and lost of power this at 39,273 miles repair was done now only 20,000 miles later same problem. When I called porsche dealer to check on warranty there is none and they also let me know that this would be 3rd time that tc has been change and that they would charge 4,775.00 to repair.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2019
“Transfer case failure. Causes intermittent rough stuttering when depressing gas pedal on highway especially on incline. Car dealer did not detect problem when performing diagnostics. Went to another dealer service location. Service representative drove the car and quickly confirmed the cause is a transfer case failure. We were told our car can stall at anytime which is a clear safety hazard. After a lot of research, we found out transfer case failure is a consistent and recurring issue for porsche cayenne's manufactured in 2011 to 2017.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2018
“It is a very common problem for 2011+ cayenne that has the transfer case problem. The car won't accelerate smoothly during 1-2 gear and 3-4-5 gear. It is very dangerous while trying to merge on the freeway. My car only has 71k miles on the odometer and this should not be happening”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2018
Recalls - 4 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 PANAMERA TURBO, 2012 PANAMERA TURBO S, AND 2012 CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES. THE TURBINE WHEEL OF A TURBOCHARGER MAY FRACTURE DUE TO A CASTING DEFECT. IF A FRACTURE OCCURS, VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DECREASED AND THE TURBINE SHAFT MAY FRACTURE.
Remedy: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURBINE WHEELS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 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 2012 Porsche Cayenne reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne have open recalls?
4 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.