2011 Porsche Cayenne S problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (10) · Power Train (3) · Service Brakes (2)
Safety recalls (3)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-08-30 · campaign 22V656000 · 222,858 vehicles
Defect: 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 Federa
Risk: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2017-06-07 · campaign 17V368000 · 18,005 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2012-02-21 · campaign 12V065000 · 20,278 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (415)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 28-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c40 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 27-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c20 engine oils. note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c20 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 26-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c30 engine oils. note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which c30 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 25-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche a40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which a40 engine oils are assigned. model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.
Wheels 2026-09-14 · SPTL2609 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
special tools and equipment information for alignment machines - q3 2026 software spec update available
Electrical System 2026-09-01 · No. 12-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical information for damage to nano plug contacts due to utilization of incorrect measuring equipment
Showing the 6 most recent of 415 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-23 · Exterior Lighting · 90,000 mi“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 wa…”
2019-07-27 · Service Brakes · 124,000 mi“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.…”
2019-03-03 · Engine · 54,000 mi“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 pote…”
2018-05-09 · Power Train · 102,000 mi“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 somethin…”
2018-04-24 · Power Train · 77,000 mi“transfer case failed 2016 ; was replaced by dealer and failed again 2017. while driving failure affects shifting and acceleration.…”
2018-01-04 · Power Train · 70,000 mi“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…”
2017-12-26 · Engine · 48,365 mi“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.…”
2017-07-12 · Engine · 72,000 mi“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…”
2017-06-23 · Service Brakes · 140,000 mi“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 remai…”
2017-02-05 · Engine · 80,000 mi“the coolant pipe cracks and cause leak…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.