NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Porsche Cayenne Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 Porsche Cayenne has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 27 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Porsche dealer.

NHTSA also files the 2012 Porsche Cayenne separately as Cayenne S Hybrid — 3 recall campaigns.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2012 Porsche Cayenne owner complaints

Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Porsche Cayenne, describing incidents dated August 28, 2011 to July 7, 2026.

Most-cited components

Power Train 12 complaints
Unknown or Other 7 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Seats 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11748836 · Filed July 7, 2026
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…
ODI #11632899 · Filed December 28, 2024
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.
ODI #11492273 · Filed November 4, 2022
The transfer case on my car has been confirmed by two different mechanics that it needs to be replaced. Porsche no longer makes or sells the original transfer case and components, so the entire transfer case needs to be replaced, at a cost of approximately $5,000. Porsche extended the warranty for…

Read all 27 complaints

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.

Missing Brake Pedal Clip may cause Loss of Braking

NHTSA #16V169000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Pedals and Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2016 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 88,300 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.72% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Porsche campaign AG02 · Owners notified July 8, 2016 · Vehicles built April 28, 2010 – January 11, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Turbine Wheels

NHTSA #12V329000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger · NHTSA notice

Reported July 12, 2012 · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 270 vehicles

Porsche campaign AC04 · Owners notified September 19, 2012

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

PORSCHE'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS AC04.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.

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.

2012 Porsche Cayenne SUV AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

27 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne.

Electrical System

ODI #11748836

Incident: July 7, 2026 · Filed: July 7, 2026

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.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11632899

Incident: December 28, 2022 · Filed: December 28, 2024

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11492273

Incident: September 30, 2022 · Filed: November 4, 2022

The transfer case on my car has been confirmed by two different mechanics that it needs to be replaced. Porsche no longer makes or sells the original transfer case and components, so the entire transfer case needs to be replaced, at a cost of approximately $5,000. Porsche extended the warranty for the transfer case for up to 10 years, but I was never notified or made aware of this extension. Because my transfer case issue was identified 6 months outside of the extended warranty, the full cost of this repair is my liability. I believe that Porsche is aware that the original transfer case has design flaws and reliability issues, and while they did extend warranty coverage, they made no effort to communicate the extension. If so, I would have had the transfer case inspected while still under warranty.

Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11473037

Incident: July 1, 2022 · Filed: July 9, 2022

I own a 2012 Porsche Cayenne. Transfer case broke at 33,000 miles and was replaced by the dealer, and now it broke again at 55,000 miles. Repair cost is $6,340 plus tax. It broke under the warranty period but Porsche gave me the runaround and told me they wouldn't check it until after some body damage was complete (more details below). Honestly feel like I'm getting gouged with faulty parts. Many other Porsche Cayenne owners seem to be reporting this problem on forums. (e.g. https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-958-2011-2018/1290994-transfer-case-failure-2.html) More details - 1. We asked the Porsche dealership to review the car for mechanical issues and repair bumper body damage while the transfer case was under warranty. 2. The Porsche dealer declined to review any mechanical issues until the bumper body damage repair was complete. 3. The Porsche was taken in for service to repair the body work first in late March per Porsche's guidance while the transfer case was still under warranty. 4. The body work was delayed due to Porsche's supply chain issues, and by the time it was complete it was after May 2nd which was when the warranty expired for the transfer case. 5. When the Porsche dealer received the car after May 2nd it identified the transfer case broke. This has been a recurring issue with a car as one transfer case broke at ~33,000 miles and was replaced at a Porsche dealership. Now the second transfer case broke at 55,000 miles (this case only lasted 22,000 miles). 6. Porsche declined to make an exception to the warranty and recommends replacing the transfer case at a price of $6,340 plus tax which will likely last for between 22,000 - 33,000 miles based on prior data points.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11383645

Incident: November 20, 2020 · Filed: December 16, 2020

RECALL WORK MISHANDLED AND CAUSED PROBLEM: I WENT TO PORSCHE FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON CAMSHAFT AND THEY CAN ALSO BE PERFORMED WHILE THE CAR IS IN. NOW WHEN I WENT TO GET MY CAR BACK THEY SAID THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND WHEN THEY CHECKED THE TECH SAYS THE PARTS SEEMS TO BE ALL NEW AND IT WAS DONE AT A DIFFERENT WORK SHOP. THEY ASKED ME TO GO TO THE SHOP AND CHECK WITH THEM. BUT I TOLD THEM IT WAS DONE FEW MONTHS BACK AND I HAD NO ISSUES AT ALL AND THE CAR DIDNT HAVE ANY ISSUES WHEN I GAVE IT FOR OIL CHANGE( NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). ALSO WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR I WAS ABLE TO SMELL A THICK OIL SMELL WHICH I INFORMED BECKY THE SERVICE CONSULTANT AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE OIL SPILL WHEN THEY DID OIL CHANGE. I ASKED IF THE ISSUE MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT WORK THEY DID BUT THEY PROMPTLY SAID IT WAS NOT RELATED. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUTO SHOP ( PORSCHE CERTIFIED SHOP) TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT. THE SHOP CHECKED AND DIDNT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THEIR PARTS THEY REPLACED SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY THEY WENT AHEAD REPLACED THE PART AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SIGN DIDNT GO AWAY, SO THEY PERFORMED SMOKE TEST AND FOUND OUT THE INTAKE LEAK COMING FROM A SENSOR SEAL ON THE VALVE COVER. THEY SAID THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE CAMSHAFT WORK THAT HAS CAUSED A LARGE AIR LEAK IN THE ENGINE SETTING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ALSO WHEN THEY CHECKED THE COVERS THEY FOUND THAT THERE WERE 2 ALUMINIUM SCREWS THAT WERE BROKEN . WHEN THE COVER WAS REMOVED THE ALUMIMIUM SCREWS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WERE NOT AND THE OLD ONES WERE USED WHICH LEAD TO TENSION AND THEY WERE BROKEN THE AUTO SHOP HAS PROVIDED ME WITH ALL THE DETAILS AND EVIDENCE OF THE ISSUE ALONG WITH VIDEO TO SHOWCASE.I NEED NHTSA ASSISTANCE TO HELP ME GUIDE ON THIS ISSUE CAUSED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO MY CAR WHILE WORKING ON THE RECALL.

Engine

ODI #11329783

Incident: January 1, 2020 · Filed: June 19, 2020

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

Power Train

ODI #11321883

Incident: March 7, 2020 · Filed: April 22, 2020

THE TRANSFER CASE IS FAULTY. IT WAS REPLACED AT 26,000 MILES AND NOW IT IS ACTING THE SAME WAY AGAIN AT 48.000 MILES. I WAS ENTERING THE HWY AND THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER BEFORE JUMPING INTO GEAR. THIS IS NOT SAFE CONSIDERING THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND BEHIND. DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BUT COULD HAVE. DEALER ADMITS THE TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH 2011-2017 CAYENNE BUT REFUSES TO TOTALLY COVER REPLACEMENT. THIS IS MY SECOND ISSUE WITH THE TRANSFER CASE AND AFTER SOME LIGHT RESEARCH HAVE COME ACROSS MANY OWNERS WITH ANYWHERE BETWEEN 1 AND 4 REPLACEMENTS. PORSCHE WILL NOT COVER THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR (APPROX. $6500). HOW CAN A COMPANY LIKE PORSCHE BE SO ARROGANT AS TO UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT IT IS A FAULTY DESIGN BUT NOT MAKE RESTITUTION TO ITS LOYAL CUSTOMERS,

Power Train

ODI #11286672

Incident: December 3, 2019 · Filed: December 3, 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

Seats

ODI #11270126

Incident: October 22, 2019 · Filed: October 22, 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

Unknown or Other

ODI #11246515

Incident: August 1, 2018 · Filed: August 26, 2019

DASH BOARD LEATHER IS PEELING AND SHRINKING

Other Porsche Cayenne model years

Check your 2012 Porsche Cayenne VIN

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

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