NHTSA vehicle safety data
2011 Porsche Cayenne S Recalls & Complaints
The 2011 Porsche Cayenne S has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 17 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Porsche dealer.
NHTSA also files the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S separately as Cayenne S Hybrid — 3 recall campaigns.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2011 Porsche Cayenne S owner complaints
Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S, describing incidents dated July 1, 2011 to April 10, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Engine 12 complaints
- Power Train 3 complaints
- Service Brakes 2 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 1 complaint
- Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
- Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11656251 · Filed
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…
ODI #11235289 · Filed
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.
ODI #11183714 · Filed
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…
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.
Camshaft Controllers may Loosen and Fail
NHTSA #17V368000 · Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported June 7, 2017 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 18,005 vehicles
Repair completion: 66.95% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Porsche campaign AH08 · Owners notified January 12, 2018
Defect description
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 engine, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
Safety consequence
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fastening screws for the camshaft adjusters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH08.
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.
HEADLAMP MODULE
NHTSA #12V065000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice
Reported February 21, 2012 · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 20,278 vehicles
Porsche campaign AC01 · Owners notified March 9, 2012 · Vehicles built March 8, 2010 – January 31, 2012 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
PORSCHE'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS AC01.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Other Porsche Cayenne S model years
Check your 2011 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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