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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Porsche Cayenne S Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Porsche Cayenne S has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Porsche dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Porsche Cayenne S. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2003 Porsche Cayenne S owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Porsche Cayenne S, describing incidents dated April 1, 2004 to November 29, 2017.

Most-cited components

  • Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
  • Power Train 1 complaint
  • Tires 1 complaint

Of the 4 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11071952 · Filed

    PORSCHE NOTIFIED ME OF RECALL NOVEMBER 29 2017

  • ODI #11055672 · Filed

    DEAR SIR/ MADAM THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER OF NOVEMBER 29, 2017, REGARDING RECALL OF OUR VEHICLE PORSCHE CAYENNE S #[XXX] (RECALL # 17V-576). PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED WITH THE FUEL PUMP IN THE VEHICLE, I HAD TO REPLACE THE PUMPS RH AND LH, WITH REQUIRED ACCESSORIES. A TOTAL…

  • ODI #10274238 · Filed

    FAILURE OF DRIVESHAFT AND TRANSMISSION 6 YEAR HISTORY OF "HESITATION" WHENEVER CAR ACCELERATED. *TR

Read all 4 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Porsche Cayenne S in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Headlight Adjustment Screw Missing Cover/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #22V656000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported August 30, 2022 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 222,858 vehicles

Repair completion: 34.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Porsche campaign ANB4 · Owners notified October 28, 2022

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable

NHTSA #19V446000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice

Reported June 12, 2019 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 99,665 vehicles

Repair completion: 38.34% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Porsche campaign AKB1 · Owners notified August 9, 2019 · Vehicles built November 20, 2002 – November 30, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Pump Flange May Crack Causing Fuel Leak

NHTSA #17V576000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported September 20, 2017 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 50,145 vehicles

Repair completion: 21.08% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Porsche campaign AH10 · Owners notified July 6, 2018

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

PORSCHE/FMVSS 208/SEAT BELT RETRACTOR

NHTSA #04V593000 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice

Reported December 15, 2004 · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 31,000 vehicles

Porsche campaign A506 · Owners notified May 17, 2005 · Vehicles built through September 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

PORSCHE RECALL NO. A506.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

PORSCHE/SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT

NHTSA #04V231000 · Seat Belts — Rear/Other · NHTSA notice

Reported May 17, 2004 · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 19,175 vehicles

Porsche campaign A404 · Owners notified June 1, 2004 · Vehicles built through December 3, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT IS INSUFFICIENT RIVETED.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

PORSCHE/WIRING HARNESS ROUTING

NHTSA #04V069000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Front Underhood · NHTSA notice

Reported February 18, 2004 · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 10,637 vehicles

Owners notified March 29, 2004 · Vehicles built January 21, 2002 – July 19, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED. DAMAGE TO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS CAN LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.

Safety consequence

IN EXTREME CASES, TO A CABLE FIRE BENEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

PORSCHE/FUEL TANK FILLER NECK

NHTSA #04V068000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filler Pipe and Cap · NHTSA notice

Reported February 18, 2004 · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 35 vehicles

Owners notified March 29, 2004

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE GROUND CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SPIRAL RING OF THE TANK FILLER NECK AND THE CONNECTING PIPE TO THE FUEL TANK IS INADEQUATE, THE FLOW OF FUEL DURING REFUELING CAN CREATE AN ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE, WHICH COULD DISCHARGE AND SPARK. THIS SPARK COULD IGNITE FUEL VAPORS IN THE AREA OUTSIDE THE TANK FILLER NECK THAT COULD LEAD TO A MUFFLED DETONATION.

Safety consequence

DUE TO SUCH A STARTLING EVENT, THE INDIVIDUAL REFUELING THE VEHICLE COULD REMOVE THE FUEL NOZZLE AT PRECISELY THE MOMENT OF THE DETONATION WITHOUT FIRST STOPPING THE FUELING PROCESS. IN SUCH A CIRCUMSTANCE, FUEL ESCAPING OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY IGNITE, RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GROUND CONNECTION AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

PORSCHE/DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME

NHTSA #04V072000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported February 18, 2004 · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 4,144 vehicles

Porsche campaign A306 · Owners notified March 29, 2004 · Vehicles built through May 9, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAMES WERE NOT ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT FRAME COULD BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

Notes

PORSCHE RECALL NO. A306.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

PORSCHE/CERTIFICATION LABEL INCORRECT

NHTSA #03V351000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported September 24, 2003 · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 326 vehicles

Porsche campaign A401 · Owners notified December 22, 2003 · Vehicles built November 20, 2002 – February 11, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) AND GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AS REQUIRED BY PART 567.4(G)(3) AND (G)(4).

Safety consequence

THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE INFORMED OF THE VEHICLE'S GVWR AND GAWR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL APPLY THE CORRECTED LABEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

Notes

PORSCHE RECALL NO. A401.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Porsche Cayenne S model years

Check your 2003 Porsche Cayenne S VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Porsche Cayenne S at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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