2012 Porsche Cayenne problems and recalls

50% of owner complaints on the 2012 Porsche Cayenne related to the Power Train (18 of 36).

36
Complaints
4
Recalls
1
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
0
Injuries
52.2
Severity index

Severity index 52.2 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 52.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 18 complaints (50.0%)18 50%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 7 complaints (19.4%)7 19%EngineEngine: 6 complaints (16.7%)6 17%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 3 complaints (8.3%)3 8%Air BagsAir Bags: 2 complaints (5.6%)2 6%SeatsSeats: 2 complaints (5.6%)2 6%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 2 complaints (5.6%)2 6%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 2 complaints (5.6%)2 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN1850.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER719.4%
ENGINE616.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM38.3%
AIR BAGS25.6%
SEATS25.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM25.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL25.6%

Complaints filed per year

06122012: 22013: 12016: 22017: 62018: 62019: 122020: 32022: 22024: 12026: 1 (partial year)1213161718191220222426
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20122
20131
20162
20176
20186
201912
20203
20222
20241
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2020 to 2024 ran 0.2x those in 2017 to 2019 (6 against 24).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V16900023/03/2016SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGESPorsche 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.
12V06500021/02/2012EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSPORSCHE 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.
12V32900012/07/2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGERPORSCHE 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
22V65600030/08/2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSPorsche 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 ye

Other Porsche Cayenne model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 10 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.