NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Porsche Cayenne Recalls & Complaints

The 2013 Porsche Cayenne has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Porsche dealer.

NHTSA also files the 2013 Porsche Cayenne separately as Cayenne S Hybrid — 1 recall campaign.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Porsche Cayenne. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Porsche Cayenne owner complaints

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Porsche Cayenne, describing incidents dated December 15, 2014 to January 1, 2026.

Most-cited components

Power Train 16 complaints
Unknown or Other 9 complaints
Engine 7 complaints
Air Bags 6 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints
Seat Belts 4 complaints

Newest complaints

ODI #11729798 · Filed April 7, 2026
The leather dash has "shrunk" so badly and is so distorted that there is no way the passenger airbag would properly inflate in an accident. Porsche tells me that this defect is "cosmetic" and of no consequence to vehicle safety. I do not agree with this position and feel that Porsche should be…
ODI #11724527 · Filed March 16, 2026
This vehicle qualified for the Volkswagen Emissions Recall, yet from the start of the recall through 2018 settlement lawsuit dates , no correspondence was sent (by Porsche nor VW). According to all recall regulations, my vehicle should have among the ‘recall’ with the 85K plus others, yet no…
ODI #11684455 · Filed September 2, 2025
The factory leather dashboard has detached/ungluded in places both on the driver and passenger side. Now the dashboard cover in the passenger area does not properly line up and has bubbled up on top of the passenger air bag door. There is a high possibility that this defect will prevent the…

Read all 40 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.

Gas Guage Calibration

NHTSA #13V506000 · Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2013 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 207 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.32% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Porsche campaign AD03 · Owners notified December 5, 2013 · Vehicles built May 27, 2013 – July 10, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cayenne and Cayenne GTS, model year 2013 Cayenne Diesel and model year 2014 Cayenne S, S Hybrid, Turbo, and Turbo S vehicles manufactured May 27, 2013, through July 10, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the calculated range of the remaining fuel displayed on the instrument cluster may be higher than the actual range. Additionally, the fuel level indicated by the fuel gauge may also be higher than actual amount in the tank.

Safety consequence

The fuel display inaccuracies may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software free of charge. The recall began on December 5, 2013. Owners may contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's recall number is AD03.

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.

2013 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

40 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Porsche Cayenne.

Air Bags; Structure

ODI #11729798

Incident: January 1, 2026 · Filed: April 7, 2026

The leather dash has "shrunk" so badly and is so distorted that there is no way the passenger airbag would properly inflate in an accident. Porsche tells me that this defect is "cosmetic" and of no consequence to vehicle safety. I do not agree with this position and feel that Porsche should be liable for this defect.

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11724527

Incident: November 23, 2018 · Filed: March 16, 2026

This vehicle qualified for the Volkswagen Emissions Recall, yet from the start of the recall through 2018 settlement lawsuit dates , no correspondence was sent (by Porsche nor VW). According to all recall regulations, my vehicle should have among the ‘recall’ with the 85K plus others, yet no correspondence was sent (by Porsche nor VW) & now the local Porsche dealership is denying in, According to all recall regulations, even still with the EPA, the vehicle was to receive an initial emissions test, then undergo all related repairs/part replacements before the issue resulted in toxic emissions, NOX sensor failures, & premature problems with the DPF system, leading to thermostat problems & the failure of the diesel turbo. Federal regs mandate that vehicle & vehicle equipment manufacturers comply with Early Warning Reporting requirements, submit to NHTSA copies of their manufacturer communications. & update all communications including warranty, policy extensions & product improvement communication sent to dealers, distributors, owners, purchasers, etc. regarding any defect, failure or malfunction beyond normal deterioration in use, failure of performance, flaw or other unintended deviation from design specifications whether it is safety-related or not. Porsche now says my vehicle never showed the recall, despite court mandates that all affected vehicles will be notified communication failed on the sides of both manufacturers. In 2026, if one possesses an eligible vehicle but never received a "Dieselgate" recall notice, options for financial compensation from the original U.S. settlements stated to be likely limited, & I’m not able to find how to proceed with Volkswagen, but regardless, according to EPA and all vehicle standards, I read my vehicle is still entitled to receive an emissions modification at no cost, and that I should be covered by an extended emissions warranty to address all current & related issues.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11684455

Incident: August 25, 2025 · Filed: September 2, 2025

The factory leather dashboard has detached/ungluded in places both on the driver and passenger side. Now the dashboard cover in the passenger area does not properly line up and has bubbled up on top of the passenger air bag door. There is a high possibility that this defect will prevent the passenger air bag from properly functioning or not function at all during an accident. Several Cayenne owners have reported this problem to Porsche USA however they will only replace at the owner's request and owners expense which is in the thousands of dollars. Porsche USA said that this is not a recall item therefore they will not pay for the repair.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11652153

Incident: April 1, 2025 · Filed: April 1, 2025

Porsche dashboard leather has shrunk and now doesn’t properly cover airbag which is a major safety hazard. Porsche said they would not cover cost to replace which they quoted $9k. There are tons of reports of this happening to other Porsche cayenne owners and need to be addressed via recall

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11636420

Incident: January 17, 2025 · Filed: January 17, 2025

Leather dashboard cover is separating from the dashboard with staples being pulled up. I am concerned the airbag in the dash may deploy improperly and/or dangerously.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11618766

Incident: October 2, 2020 · Filed: October 8, 2024

Porsche Cayenne dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. The airbag in the dashboard may not deploy properly in the event when there is an accident. Porsche dealer recommended the dashboard to be replaced. Many vehicles have this issue after warranty is out

Power Train

ODI #11615239

Incident: August 12, 2024 · Filed: September 18, 2024

The Drive train consists of an engine, transmission, transfercase, driveshafts and differentials. The Transfercase has failed prior to the normal life cycle. Porsche recognizes this problem on this series of SUV and extends the warranty for 10 years and unlimited mileage. Porsche announced this extension in June 2024. However this does not cover the early models in this series 2011-2013 with the same drivetrain and transfercase. So in effect this failure of the transfer case is not covered on 2014 - 2011 Porsche Cayenne's models with the same transfercase because Porsche delayed the notification to customers. Even though the SUV may have low mileage, they will not warranty or cover my failure.

Seat Belts

ODI #11609423

Incident: August 13, 2024 · Filed: August 19, 2024

Just purchased this vehicle from an independent dealer. Each time I test drove the vehicle, I put my seat belt on and after a few seconds of driving the driver's seat belt would come unlatched. Sales person told me that perhaps I wasn't latching it (false latch). After purchase, it has unlatched during my first day of driving it. I see that there are other customers complaining of the same issue on the NHTSA website.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11605224

Incident: July 29, 2024 · Filed: July 29, 2024

The optional Leather Dashboard is peeling away from the base of the windshield. The cutout in the leather that aligns with the passenger airbag is now out of alignment and there is concern if the airbag will deploy properly in an accident.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11568669

Incident: January 18, 2024 · Filed: January 29, 2024

Engine light came on and vehicle decelerated while making a turn in traffic. Based on the owners manual and code test, it comes up as a DPF issue. We could have been seriously injured had the oncoming traffic been closer to us or had someone attempted to follow me on the turn. When the car lost power, I could not accelerate to complete my turn. The problem has been duplicated by my husband who has some mechanical expertise, but the next step would be to take it to a dealer. It is available for inspection, but it is not safe to drive. The check engine light and the glow plug lamp came on at the same time. It happened once before on the interstate coming across I-80 on the interstate. In the middle of nowhere with no cell phone service, we were able to pull over, shut off and restart the engine which cleared the code for the rest of the trip. Then it didn’t do this again for nearly two months.

Other Porsche Cayenne model years

Check your 2013 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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