2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (9) · Power Train (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 (402)
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 402 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-08-23 · Engine · 131,046 mi“the contact owns a 2011 porsche cayenne turbo. the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. additionally, while driving, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, and the brake pedal was firm while depressed. the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. the traction control, check engine, oi…”
2019-07-23 · Power Train“at time of purchase, 11/5/18 my wife glenda and i took it into porsche woodland hills who performed campaign aho8 or verified that the work had been done - replacing the faulty fastening screws in camshaft controller. attached invoice #c56285 dated 11/5/18 says "recall completed - no correction needed" under concern #24 (middle of page).…”
2018-10-22 · Power Train · 70,000 mi“transfer case failure. there is an acknowledgment by porsche of an associated defect of the transfer case design and a related workshop bulletin (wb) when replacing the transfer case. porsche mechanics are instructed to replace a "vent hose" for the transfer case. this newly revised design part number for the revised vent is 958-301-047-10. the rea…”
2018-07-30 · Engine“2011 porsche cayenne turbo. consumer writes in regards to camshaft controller safety recall. consumer had repair done prior to recall and is seeking reimbursement. *ld *js…”
2018-01-31 · Engine · 💥 crash“2011 porsche cayenne. consumer writes in regards to car stalling while driving. *ld the consumer was advised no fault codes appeared. the vehicle stalled and drifted into a curb bending and damaging the front wheels. the check engine light illuminated. *js…”
2017-09-14 · Engine · 84,961 mi“11/10/2016 while driving engine light came on, car running very rough, trouble starting. dealer verified and found numerous faults. removed left valve cover and found screws for cam adjuster broken. removed bank 2 cam adjuster & valve cover removed oil pan to retrieve broken pieces of screws from actuator. replaced both bank 1&2 cam adjusters. rese…”
2017-05-30 · Engine · 72,500 mi“driving on highway when the car dramatically lost power and stalled, luckily i was close to an exit and managed to get off the highway. however there was an 18 wheeler behind me that had to brake hard to avoid hitting me. i got to the bottom of the exit ramp and the car was barely running. was able to get it back to the dealer (which was only 1/4 m…”
2017-04-10 · Engine · 95,957 mi“porsche has a know defect in the camshaft adjuster screw failure porsche as already lead a campaign to fix this issue in other parts of the globe and this failure caused my vehicle to have catastrophic engine failure that porsche now wants $35,199.00 to fix/repair. references: http://europe.autonews.com/article/20150209/ane/150209861/pors…”
2017-02-22 · Engine“late 2010 to early 2012 porsche cayenne vehicles with v8 engines have a manufacturing defect with bolts that hold the camshaft adjusters. the weak bolts in question are made of aluminum and have been experiencing failures where they sheer off, causing catastrophic damage to the engine. if this failure occurs when the vehicle is at speed, a loss o…”
2017-01-30 · Engine · 90,000 mi“camshaft adjuster bolts starting to become loose and back out, which is a known manufacturing defect on those cars, can lead to sudden unpredictable loss of steering and braking, and potentially accidents, especially with very heavy and very fast car like this one. dealer quoted $4000 to fix with new bolts and adjusters. attached are pictures taken…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.