Total Complaints
20 filings
PORSCHE CAYENNE S · model year
20 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011PORSCHECAYENNE S carries 20 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 CAYENNE S is engine with 12 filings, followed by power train (3) and service brakes (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2011 CAYENNE S. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
20 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 12 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
ENGINE
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 en
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.
Mileage: 90,000
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.
Mileage: 124,000
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.
Mileage: 54,000
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
Mileage: 102,000
TRANSFER CASE FAILED 2016 ; WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AND FAILED AGAIN 2017. WHILE DRIVING FAILURE AFFECTS SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION.
Mileage: 77,000
I WAS PULLING FORWARD ON A LEVEL CITY STREET AND TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP SIGN. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SHUDDERING AND FEELING OF A LOSS OF POWER. THIS WAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS THIS HAD BEEN INCREASING IN SEVERITY BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM FOR THEM. THEY IDENTIFIED THE TRANSFER CASE AS THE ISSUE. IT WAS REPLACED. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES DUE TO THE DEALERS IDENTIFICATION THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD CAUSED DIFFERENTIAL TREAD WEAR DAMAGE TO A REAR TIRE. AS A FORMER MILITARY AVIATOR, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PORSCHE NEEDS TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE ISSUES ARE (DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, SERVICING, ETC) AND REMEDY THEM. SURPRISINGLY, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED ME THAT THEY KEEP TRANSFER CASES IN STOCK. THEY RETAIL FOR $3944, PLUS THE NEW VENT KIT (MINE DOES NOT HAVE
Mileage: 70,000
I WAS PULLING FORWARD ON A LEVEL CITY STREET AND TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP SIGN. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SHUDDERING AND FEELING OF A LOSS OF POWER. THIS WAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS THIS HAD BEEN INCREASING IN SEVERITY BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM FOR THEM. THEY IDENTIFIED THE TRANSFER CASE AS THE ISSUE. IT WAS REPLACED. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES DUE TO THE DEALERS IDENTIFICATION THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD CAUSED DIFFERENTIAL TREAD WEAR DAMAGE TO A REAR TIRE. AS A FORMER MILITARY AVIATOR, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PORSCHE NEEDS TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE ISSUES ARE (DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, SERVICING, ETC) AND REMEDY THEM. SURPRISINGLY, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED ME THAT THEY KEEP TRANSFER CASES IN STOCK. THEY RETAIL FOR $3944, PLUS THE NEW VENT KIT (MINE DOES NOT HAVE
Mileage: 70,000
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.
Mileage: 48,365
THE SCREWS HOLDING MY CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR FAILED AND I EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATE ENGINE LOSE AS WELL AS BRAKING LOSE DUE TO NO VACUUM. AT THE TIME OF MY ENGINE FAILURE IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR PORSCHE (SEE WC-22) WHEREAS THEY DID NOT MAKE PUBLIC AWARE OR PROACTIVELY FIX THE ISSUE. THIS ENDED UP COSTING ME APPROXIMATELY $7500 OUT OF POCKET (IN ADDITION TO SEVERAL EMOTIONAL DAMAGE DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND THE IMMEDIATE DANGER WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN THE FAR LEFT LANE). PORSCHE HAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED A RECALL (RECALL AH-08 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN 17V368000) BUT HAD NOT CONTACTED AFFECTED OWNERS YET. I'D LIKE A FULL REFUND OF MY EXPENSES PLUS INTEREST. I ALSO FEEL THEY SHOULD BE FINED OR PAY IMPACTED OWNERS LIKE MYSELF A PENALTY DUE TO THEIR IMPROPER MISHANDLING.
Mileage: 72,000
VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE ENGINE STALLED AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS TO START. I EXITED THE GAS STATION ONTO THE RAMP FOR THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING 70, MPH. THERE WAS NO POWER BRAKING OR POWER STEERING AT ALL. FORTUNATELY, I REMAINED IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND MOMENTUM CARRIED THE VEHICLE OFF THE NEXT EXIT RAMP BEFORE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I HAVE HAD A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING PSM FAILURES, START/STOP MODE DEACTIVATED ERRORS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, BRAKING ISSUES, UNNECESSARY REPAIRS, TIME/ENERGY, MISSED WORK, RENTAL CARS, MISDIAGNOSES, ETC. I AM CERTAIN THE SYMPTOMS ARE CONSISTENT WITH CAMSHAFT DEFECT AFFECTING MANY OTHER CAYENNE S, TURBO, AND PANAMERA S OWNERS PER SEVERAL INTERNET FORUM DISCUSSIONS. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS. I AM DISAPPOINTMENT EARLIER NOTIFICATIONS WERE NOT ISSUED AND I HOPE THIS MATTER IS ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.
Mileage: 140,000
VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE ENGINE STALLED AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS TO START. I EXITED THE GAS STATION ONTO THE RAMP FOR THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING 70, MPH. THERE WAS NO POWER BRAKING OR POWER STEERING AT ALL. FORTUNATELY, I REMAINED IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND MOMENTUM CARRIED THE VEHICLE OFF THE NEXT EXIT RAMP BEFORE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I HAVE HAD A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING PSM FAILURES, START/STOP MODE DEACTIVATED ERRORS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, BRAKING ISSUES, UNNECESSARY REPAIRS, TIME/ENERGY, MISSED WORK, RENTAL CARS, MISDIAGNOSES, ETC. I AM CERTAIN THE SYMPTOMS ARE CONSISTENT WITH CAMSHAFT DEFECT AFFECTING MANY OTHER CAYENNE S, TURBO, AND PANAMERA S OWNERS PER SEVERAL INTERNET FORUM DISCUSSIONS. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS. I AM DISAPPOINTMENT EARLIER NOTIFICATIONS WERE NOT ISSUED AND I HOPE THIS MATTER IS ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.
Mileage: 140,000
VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE ENGINE STALLED AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS TO START. I EXITED THE GAS STATION ONTO THE RAMP FOR THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING 70, MPH. THERE WAS NO POWER BRAKING OR POWER STEERING AT ALL. FORTUNATELY, I REMAINED IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND MOMENTUM CARRIED THE VEHICLE OFF THE NEXT EXIT RAMP BEFORE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I HAVE HAD A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING PSM FAILURES, START/STOP MODE DEACTIVATED ERRORS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, BRAKING ISSUES, UNNECESSARY REPAIRS, TIME/ENERGY, MISSED WORK, RENTAL CARS, MISDIAGNOSES, ETC. I AM CERTAIN THE SYMPTOMS ARE CONSISTENT WITH CAMSHAFT DEFECT AFFECTING MANY OTHER CAYENNE S, TURBO, AND PANAMERA S OWNERS PER SEVERAL INTERNET FORUM DISCUSSIONS. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS. I AM DISAPPOINTMENT EARLIER NOTIFICATIONS WERE NOT ISSUED AND I HOPE THIS MATTER IS ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.
Mileage: 140,000
THE COOLANT PIPE CRACKS AND CAUSE LEAK
Mileage: 80,000
THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR BOLTS BREAK AND CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE LOSE POWER SUDDENLY AND DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Mileage: 80,000
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.
Mileage: 65,000
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.
Mileage: 33,215
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN A REMOTE NATIONAL PARK, THE TUBING THAT RETURNS COOLANT TO THE ENGINE BLOCK FROM THE RADIATOR ON MY 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S COMPLETELY BLEW APART. THIS ALUMINUM TO ALUMINUM TUBING CONNECTION APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN HELD TOGETHER EXCLUSIVELY BY A THIN, INCOMPLETE RING OF EPOXY GLUE. THIS IS GROSSLY SUBSTANDARD ENGINEERING FOR ANY SUCH VITAL CONNECTION WITHIN THE ENGINE. PORSCHE HAS NEGLECTED TO REPAIR THIS KNOWN ISSUE IN MODEL YEARS SUCH AS MINE, BUT HAS CHANGED ITS DESIGN IN THE SUBSEQUENT MODEL YEARS (LIKELY BECAUSE THEY REALIZED THIS WAS DANGEROUS AND SUBSTANDARD ENGINEERING). THEY HAVE NOT SENT OUT ANY BULLETIN OR RECALL TO ADVISE DRIVERS OF THIS DEFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION OR PREEMPTIVELY REPAIR IT. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A DESERT WHERE I HAD TO WALK FOR HOURS TO GET HELP AND HAD TO HAVE $1000 TOW TO THE NEAREST CITY, ALL BECAUSE OF THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF WHICH PORSCHE IS ALREADY AWARE.
Mileage: 38,000
ON FREEWAY 65-70 MPH WHEN PSM FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOS OF POWER JUST MADE OFF FREE WITH CHUGGING AND TO A STOP . TOWED TO DEALER ON A SUNDAY 8/2/15 MONDAY CALL ALUMINUM BOLTS IN VALVE ADJUSTERS ? CAN DAMAGE OR DID THE ENGINE . NO RECALLS ON THEM AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM .
Mileage: 57,123
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE AND STABILITY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT THEY HAD NO AVAILABILITY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CEASED FOUR DAYS LATER BUT SOON RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/17/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED PORSCHE IS MAKING THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. UPDATE 09/18/13
Mileage: 20,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN EXTREME GLARE WAS REFLECTING FROM THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, OBSTRUCTING HIS VISION. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PLACE A BLANKET OVER THE DASHBOARD AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Mileage: 400
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.