Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2005 Porsche Cayenne S with NHTSA between 2005 and 2018.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the Porsche Cayenne S. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 52
10% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 38
22% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2005 compares with every other Porsche Cayenne S
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2005 Porsche Cayenne S
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
440.0%
Median failure at 67,900 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
220.0%
Median failure at 7,500 miles
Tires
110.0%
Median failure at 88,500 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
110.0%
Body & Structure
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 93,500 mi
Electrical System
110.0%
Median failure at 76,621 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
111.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
111.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
444.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2005peak 1Jun 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2005 Porsche Cayenne S
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA06005Opened 15 Mar 2006Closed 12 Mar 2007AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION
PORSCHE IS INITIATING A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION ACTION TO ADDRESS A CONDITION RELATED TO A FAULTY OR LOOSE CONNECTOR IN THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM.PORSCHE'S TESTING HAS SHOWN THAT THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL NOT PREVENT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL CAUSE THE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TO EXCEED THE THRESHOLD FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.PORSCHE HAS REPORTED A LARGE NUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND MANY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SERVICED TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION AS DESCRIBED IN THE CAYENNE TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN: GROUP 6, #11/04...
PE05060Opened 10 Nov 2005Closed 15 Mar 2006AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION
DURING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PHASE, ODI IDENTIFIED 76 OWNER COMPLAINTS AND 6,582 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION FROM EITHER A FAULTY SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAG MODULE OR WIRING HARNESS.TO DATE, THERE HAS BEEN NO ALLEGATION OF CRASH, INJURY OR DEATH REPORTED.PORSCHE REPORTS THAT A BAD BATCH OF MODULES WAS PRODUCED DURING MID-NOVEMBER TO MID-DECEMBER, 2003.HOWEVER, PORSCHE?S WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT MOST OF THE MODULES REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY WERE ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE AND AFTER THIS PERIOD INDICATING THAT THE ISSUE COULD BE MORE WIDESPREAD.PORSCHE REPORTS THAT...
Recalls on the 2005 Porsche Cayenne S
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20192908,742 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission shifter could detach from the transmission. This could cause the transmission not to shift gears when the shifter is moved. As a result, the transmission could be in a different gear than the gear shifter indicates. If a driver attempts to exit the vehicle while the transmission is not in Park, and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle could move suddenly. Safety Risk: Sudden and unexpected movement of the vehicle could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Porsche will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the shifter cable bushing. Owners are reminded to use the parking brake anytime the vehicle is parked.
Recall 20174574,817 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel pump flange may develop fine cracks or fissures, which could result in a fuel leak. Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel pump flange.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 93,500 milesHonolulu, HICrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
IN A PARKING LOT TRAVELING AT 7 MPH APPROX, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PSM (STABILITY MANAGEMENT) LIGHTS AND BUZZERS CAME ON. LOST ALL BRAKES ON THE CAR AND COULD NOT STOP. PUMPED THE BRAKES AND STILL NO STOPPING CAPABILITY. HAD TO HIT A POLE TO AVOID PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER CARS. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE AS A YAW SENSOR FAILURE WHICH THEY SAY CONTROLLED THE ABS. MECHANICAL BRAKES SYSTEMS WERE OPERATIONAL AFTER CRASH. CRASH DAMAGE WAS NOT EXTENSIVE, AT APPROX 8-10 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10632407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 88,500 milesLAS Vegas, NV
TIRES
IN 2016, AT AROUND 85,000 MILES THE BIG O TIRES, LOCATED AT 3415 S MARYLAND PKWY, LAS VEGAS, NV 89169, INSTALLED FOUR NEW TIRE ON MY CAYENNE S, 2005. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER IS CONTINENTAL AND ALL TIRES ARE OF 275/45/19 SIZE. ANTICIPATING A 470 MILES TRIP ON JUNE 8, 2018 FROM LAS VEGAS TO MOAB, UT, ON THE PREVIOUS DAY I CHECK ALL TIRES FOR PRESSURE AND APPEARANCE. THE PRESSURE OF THE REAR TIRES WAS SET AT 40 PSI. NO VISIBLE DAMAGES WERE DETECTED. ON THE DAY OF THE TRIP, AT 80 MPH THE REAR LEFT TIRE SUDDENLY LOST PRESSURE REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT EFFORTS TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I MANAGED TO STOP AND LOOK AT THE PROBLEM TIRE, I NOTICED THAT ABOUT 70% OF THE TREAD LAYER WAS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE TIRE. AT THAT TIME, THE ODOMETER INDICATED THAT THE TIRES WERE USED ONLY FOR ABOUT 3,500 MILES. WHEN I CONTACTED BIG O TIRE IN LAS VEGAS ON MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018, THE FIRST COMMENT THE MANAGER WAS THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE TIRE. HOWEVER, TWO DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE CAR AND THE DAMAGED TIRE, HE INFORMED ME THAT CONTINENTAL REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS CASE. THEY HAVE DETERMINED THAT A LOW AIR PRESSURE CAUSED THE DAMAGE. KNOWING THE FACTS, I BELIEVE THAT CONTINENTALS CONCLUSION IS MOST PROBABLY INCORRECT. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT FOR THE SAFETY OF MILLIONS OF USERS OF TIRES MANUFACTURED BY CONTINENTAL, THIS CASE IS INVESTIGATED.
NHTSA complaint #11102015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V576000 (FUEL PUMP, GASOLINE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN NOVEMBER OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (THE COLLECTION, 200 BIRD ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33146, PHONE (305) 444-5555), BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER HAD BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS FOR MORE THAN NINETY DAYS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE COLLECTION DEALER CONTACTED THEM CONCERNING PART AVAILABILITY. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE MIGHT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE BEFORE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11091943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesCanton, CT
ENGINE
THE ENGINE HAS PLASTIC COOLANT PIPES BETWEEN THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE ENGINE. THEY FAILED AND DUMPED ALL THE COOLANT OUT WHILE ON THE ROAD. CAR WAS DISABLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. AFTER RESEARCHING, IT'S CONCLUDED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE IN CAYENNES WITH A V8 ENGINE AT ABOUT 60000 MILES. MINE HAD 61000. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR CAN BE DISABLED AT ANYTIME. ALSO, THE REPAIR IS VERY COSTLY, EXCEEDING 3000 USD FOR PARTS AND LABOR.
NHTSA complaint #10851050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,500 milesHonolulu, HICrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
IN A PARKING LOT TRAVELING AT 7 MPH APPROX, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PSM (STABILITY MANAGEMENT) LIGHTS AND BUZZERS CAME ON. LOST ALL BRAKES ON THE CAR AND COULD NOT STOP. PUMPED THE BRAKES AND STILL NO STOPPING CAPABILITY. HAD TO HIT A POLE TO AVOID PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER CARS. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE AS A YAW SENSOR FAILURE WHICH THEY SAY CONTROLLED THE ABS. MECHANICAL BRAKES SYSTEMS WERE OPERATIONAL AFTER CRASH. CRASH DAMAGE WAS NOT EXTENSIVE, AT APPROX 8-10 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10632407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,800 milesLivingstone, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR PIPE WAS FRACTURED, CAUSING ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ORIGINAL HOSE LINES WERE REPLACED WITH METAL LINES DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,800.
NHTSA complaint #10426461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,621 milesMacungie, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FAILING AND THE TURN SIGNALS AND SPEEDOMITOR WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE A MICROCHIP AT A COST OF $2000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,621 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 76,668. UPDATED 09/07/11
NHTSA complaint #10401249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,400 milesBurlingame, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING A PORSCHE CAYENNE S TODAY ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY SLOWED DOWN BY AROUND 20 MILES FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. 5 MINUTES LATER, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO STALL ON HIGHWAY, WITHOUT TOO MUCH CONTROL ON STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10244267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,486 milesSAN Clemente, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 2005 PORSCHE CAYENNE. SINCE OWNING THIS TRUCK THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ITEMS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG. ALL THE MAIN COMPUTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED, FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, TRANSMISSION, AND NOW A COOLANT TUBE. THE LAST ITEM IS MY CONCERN, WHICH COST $2,800.00 TO FIX ON A TRUCK THAT HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT ALL THE CAYENNE?S FROM 2003 ? 2006 HAVE TO HAVE THIS PART CHANGED (IT?S MADE OF PLASTIC), BECAUSE IT BREAKS. NOW PORSCHE KNOWS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART BECAUSE IT HAS RECALLED OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT WHERE ON ALL OF THE DEALERSHIPS SHELVES. AFTER DOING THIS THERE REDESIGNED THE AND PART MADE IT OUT OF ALUMINUM AND HAD THIS PART ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE THERE WHERE SO MANY CAYENNE?S THAT NEED THIS PART FIXED SITTING IN THE DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE TRIED WORKING WITH PORSCHE BUT THEY JUST SAY THAT I?M OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO! IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WHEN THEY NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART ON ALL OF ITS TRUCKS THERE IS AN ISSUE. HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10217698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesBabylon, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I AM AN OWNER OF THE 2005 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE PORSCHE CAYENNE SEEMED TO HAVE A HESITATION ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO HAVE REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. I WISH I HAD TAKEN CAR IN AS SOON AS I FIRST NOTICED, AS I WOULD HAVE EASILY BEEN ABLE TO PURSUE THE NY STATE LEMON LAW, HAVING HAD THE CAR SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE MORE THAN 3 TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. BUT THE SITUATION HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE WITH TIME AND THE DEALERS REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE, ACKNOWLEDGE AND FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PEOPLE DRIVE THE CAR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE HESITATION ISSUE WHEN STEPPING ON THE THROTTLE, AS THE CARS WILL HESITATE AND ONLY MOVE AFTER PUMPING THE GAS PEDDLE A FEW TIMES. I HAVE HAD MORE THAN ONE DANGEROUS SITUATION ARISE AS I AM TRYING TO MAKE TURNS. I FINALLY SEARCHED THE WEB SITE CAR FORUMS TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND NO RECALLS. PLEASE ASSIST WITH THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE SERIOUSLY GETS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #10194233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesCupertino, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THEN LUNGES FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THIS IS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10115358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.