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Engine & cooling

Porsche Cayenne Engine problems by year

84 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Porsche Cayenne's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20173000
20145020
20137000
20120001
200817000
200611000
200512000
200429000

Engine recalls

Latest Cayenne engine complaints

2013 Porsche CayenneElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

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...

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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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11724527
2017 Porsche CayenneElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

I am reporting a series of safety-related defects involving the electrical, cooling, and fuel systems of my 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid. The vehicle was initially brought to the authorized Porsche dealership due to an electrical system error, and the dealer kept the vehicle for an extended period. After approximately five months, the vehicle was returned to me without a clear explanation of the root cause or details of the repair. The very next day after receiving the vehicle, a coolant temperature warning...

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appeared while driving, indicating abnormal engine overheating. This created an immediate safety hazard, as overheating can lead to sudden engine failure, loss of power, or a potential fire risk. I returned the vehicle to the dealership again for further repairs. Afterward, another serious issue occurred: because this is a hybrid vehicle, I went to refuel, but the fuel door would not open, and a fuel system error warning appeared again. This made the vehicle unsafe to operate, especially while already on the road. Due to these repeated failures, I was required to tow the vehicle multiple times. These problems - electrical malfunction, coolant overheating during driving, fuel system errors, and a non-functional fuel door - occurred repeatedly even after prolonged service by the dealership. The combination of electrical faults, overheating risk, hybrid system malfunction, and fuel system failure presents a significant safety concern. I will provide additional documentation to support this report. I request that NHTSA review this case to determine whether an investigation is warranted, as these issues may indicate a broader defect affecting this model.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11703739
2017 Porsche CayenneEngine & cooling

Broken and loosened timing chain cover bolts resulting in leaking oil onto drive components, belts and tires/brakes. This recall was done for the Macan and not the Cayenne. Ours was covered under factory extended warranty. That said, this is criminal. Porsche needs to be investigated, they refuse to recall their vehicles and we all know there are some manufaturing issues that are 100% the factory's fault. If the NTSB refuses to hold their feet to the fire this type of engineering will continue.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11592066
2017 Porsche CayenneEngine & cooling

Oil leaks from timing chain cover due to defective bolt material, bolts loosen and break. This is a widespread known issue with Cayennes and Macans.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11584249
2014 Porsche CayenneElectrical systemBrakesEngine & cooling2 injuries

For the past nine years, my vehicle has recorded multiple safety issues (trunk not closing/breaking, check engine light, catalytic converter misfire, keyless electronic entry issues, glow bulb light, turn signal bulb light, windows not rolling up, leaking fluid on the passenger side, burning smell coming from the vents, electrical issues with the radio, sunroof intermittently not opening/closing and the key not turning the vehicle on. Over the past nine years, I have taken the vehicle to numerous Porsche...

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dealerships per the federal mandate from Porsche USA / Porsche UK. To date, the Service Manager, Chris Sansbury and General Manager at Brian Harris Porsche, and Porsche USA, refuse to fix the vehicle. My vehicle is still under factory warranty. I am a person with multiple disabilities. The dealerships (Jim Ellis Porsche, Hennessy Porsche, Leith Porsche, Brian Harris Porsche) have charged me thousands of dollars. I have been extremely sick and desperately need your help. Please help me!

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11530716
2006 Porsche CayenneEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that she was able to navigate the vehicle off the road. The contact then stated that the coolant had drained from the vehicle. The coolant warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the coolant pipes detached, and the radiator hose needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the radiator hose was previously replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11502395
2014 Porsche CayenneEngine & cooling

Front timing cover has large leak. Vehicle has 88,000 kms, always regularly serviced at porsche dealership in vancouver. This is a very common issue with porsche v8 engines and requires a fix in the amount of approx. $5000-8000, As the engine has to be taken out of vehicle. As my vehicle is out of warranty, this cost is prohibitive out of pocket, especially considering the vehicle is relatively new with low kms. Porsche should either do a recall for these engines or provide extended warranty up to 10...

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years for the leaks, considering it is way too common. There are lots of reports in rennlist, 6speedonline and other numerous forums regarding this. Https://rennlist.Com/forums/porsche-macan/1085919-cautionary-tale-of-oil-leak-timing-cover.Html https://www.Pistonheads.Com/gassing/topic.Asp?H=0&t=1515369 https://www.6Speedonline.Com/forums/aston-martin/388995-replacing-timing-cover-gasket.Html

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11415582
2008 Porsche CayenneEngine & cooling

Coolant distributor barb came unglued causing loss of coolant on highway. Car was in motion on the highway. This is a common issue and porsche has updated the part however will not warranty the defective parts still on vehicles.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11363504
2008 Porsche CayenneEngine & cooling

On the backside of this v8 engine there is a coolant distribution tube that has coolant barb pressed into the cast aluminum distribution tube with adhesive. While driving from wor to home, the adhesive failed 19mar20 causing the barb to slip out of the tube allowing large amounts of coolant to gush over the hot exhaust and out from under the cayenne. The engine control unit recognized low coolant level the dash panel flagged "low coolant" and the vehicle was pulled over before overheating the engine. Fortunately...

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due to the teleworking status of where I work there was no traffic behind me and thankfully no motorcyclist. I would expect more a $71,145 vehicle from porsche even after 12 years and 140k mi.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11318783
2013 Porsche CayenneTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Purchased a 2013 cayenne porsche gts with 67k miles on it. Noticed a kind of thumping sound when accelerating, usually appearing at 3k rpms. Vehicle shudders and almost feels like the transmission is slipping. Took the vehicle to a mechanic to diagnose the fault and they immediately knew what it was, engine transfer case failure. This is due to a design flaw allowing water into the transfer case that porsche is aware of and yet to address. On some occasions porsche will pay for the $5k repair but the part is...

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still replaced with a transfer case with the same flaw. Transfer case failure can lead to a sudden lose of power and potentially cause death or serious injury if someone is traveling at highway speeds. Highly recommend addressing this with a recall for 2013 and 2014 cayennes. I have experienced sudden lose of power due to transfer case failure, neatly resulting in a highway collision.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11269753
2008 Porsche CayenneSteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Parked vehicle and attempted to turn off got a red alert steering faulty,everything locked up including transmission and window switches..Had to be flat bedded to a porsche dealership took a week for them to figure out,had to replace steering column.Concern is what would have happened if driving at the time..Got no answer

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11209077
2013 Porsche CayenneSteeringEngine & cooling

When accelerating the vehicle sputters and catches. This is extremely dangerous if trying to accelerate on a highway or should you need to accelerate to avoid a collision. My vehicle was bought brand new and currently only has 23,600 miles on it. This should not happen to a car with very low mileage. This issue happens while turning, while on the highway, while in reverse, and while on a city street. I took the car to porsche and they identified that the car needs a new transfer case. This is unacceptable as this is extremely dangerous. This issue seems to have happened on 100s of porsches.

Filed Incident Steering · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11203506
2013 Porsche CayenneEngine & cooling

At 52361 mileage, found oil leaking from the engine. The front engine cover is leaking and will need to be resealed. Engine will need to be removed and alignment will be necessary due to disruption of sub frame and suspension components.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11197365
2005 Porsche CayenneAirbagsEngine & coolingFuel system

I noticed a recall on your site for my vin # but I have not been reached by porsche to fix. I'm unsure if this has been the culprit of my check engine light and airbag light being illuminated on my dash.

Filed Incident Air bags · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11157001

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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