42 of the 135 complaints filed about the Porsche Cayenne S are about the engine — 31% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.
42
Complaints
31%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
ENGINE
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 POTENTIAL HUGE REPAIR COSTS.
NHTSA complaint #11183714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE FIRE DAMAGES. *AS
NHTSA complaint #11131251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL, HIGH PRESSURE, AND PRESSURE PUMPS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11129569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
COOLANT DISTRIBUTOR BOLTED TO THE BACK OF ENGINE BLOCK HAS A GLUED -IN PIPE THAT CONNECTS TO A HOSE. THE GLUED-IN PIPE IS LEAKING AND HALF WAY PUSHED OUT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE IMMINENT FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD HAVE CAUSED IMMEDIATE OVERHEAT AND FIRE DUE TO CATASTROPHIC COOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE. THE REPAIR IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. PORSCHE HAS A NEW PART THAT HAS THE PIPE THREADED IN INSTEAD OF GLUED. PORSCHE SHOULD RECALL THIS AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND SAFETY ISSUE. IMAGINE 8 GALLONS OF HOT COOLANT DISCHARGING ALL OVER, SAY A MOTORCYCLIST GOING 70 MPH. THIS ISSUE WAS NOTICED WHILE DOING OTHER COOLANT SYSTEM MAINTENANCE THAT WAS ALSO NECESSITATED BY POOR DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11064243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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 THE DEALER AND WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM FOR THEM. THEY IDENTIFIED THE TRANSFER CASE AS THE ISSUE. IT WAS REPLACED. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES DUE TO THE DEALERS IDENTIFICATION THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD CAUSED DIFFERENTIAL TREAD WEAR DAMAGE TO A REAR TIRE. AS A FORMER MILITARY AVIATOR, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PORSCHE NEEDS TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE ISSUES ARE (DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, SERVICING, ETC) AND REMEDY THEM. SURPRISINGLY, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED ME THAT THEY KEEP TRANSFER CASES IN STOCK. THEY RETAIL FOR $3944, PLUS THE NEW VENT KIT (MINE DOES NOT HAVE IT) AND THEN ADD LABOR, AND TIRES IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. THAT IS A LOT OF EXPENSIVE INVENTORY TO HAVE ON HAND IF PORSCHE WANTS TO CLAIM THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11058495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
PORSCHE ANNOUNCED THEIR "CAMPAIGN" (RECALL) ON NOVEMBER 14, 2017. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL PORSCHE DEALERS SINCE THAT TIME, AND THE PARTS FOR THIS RECALL ARE NOT AVAILABLE. ONE DEALER SAYS IT COULD BE "ANOTHER COUPLE OF MONTHS" BEFORE THE PART IS AVAILABLE. THE AH10 CAMPAIGN SAYS THAT THIS SITUATION CAN CAUSE A FIRE! IS THIS WHAT PORSCHE IS WAITING FOR? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET THEM TO PRODUCE THE PARTS NECESSARY TO PREVENT SIGNIFICANT INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #11058019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11056633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11054502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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 SEVERAL EMOTIONAL DAMAGE DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND THE IMMEDIATE DANGER WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN THE FAR LEFT LANE). PORSCHE HAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED A RECALL (RECALL AH-08 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN 17V368000) BUT HAD NOT CONTACTED AFFECTED OWNERS YET. I'D LIKE A FULL REFUND OF MY EXPENSES PLUS INTEREST. I ALSO FEEL THEY SHOULD BE FINED OR PAY IMPACTED OWNERS LIKE MYSELF A PENALTY DUE TO THEIR IMPROPER MISHANDLING.
NHTSA complaint #11004844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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 REMAINED IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND MOMENTUM CARRIED THE VEHICLE OFF THE NEXT EXIT RAMP BEFORE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I HAVE HAD A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING PSM FAILURES, START/STOP MODE DEACTIVATED ERRORS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, BRAKING ISSUES, UNNECESSARY REPAIRS, TIME/ENERGY, MISSED WORK, RENTAL CARS, MISDIAGNOSES, ETC. I AM CERTAIN THE SYMPTOMS ARE CONSISTENT WITH CAMSHAFT DEFECT AFFECTING MANY OTHER CAYENNE S, TURBO, AND PANAMERA S OWNERS PER SEVERAL INTERNET FORUM DISCUSSIONS. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS. I AM DISAPPOINTMENT EARLIER NOTIFICATIONS WERE NOT ISSUED AND I HOPE THIS MATTER IS ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.
NHTSA complaint #11000763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CAR WAS BOUGHT AS CERTIFIED PORSCHE IN MAR 2011 WITH 66K MILES; CURRENT MILES 165K MILES; DRIVEN APPROX. FOR 100K MILES IN 6 YEARS. ENGINE CLICKING NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT THE "F" CYN. WALLS ARE SCORED AND ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. CHECKED ON-LINE FOR THIS CONDITION WITH OTHER V-8 PORSCHE OWNERS TO FIND THAT IT'S VERY COMMON. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN ISSUE AND SAFETY WISE ( NO POWER, MISS FIRING AND STALLING). A $100K NEW SHOULD NOT HAVE A V-8 ENGINE THAT HAS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT IS WORTH LESS AT SUCH LOW MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10991803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE COOLANT PIPE CRACKS AND CAUSE LEAK
NHTSA complaint #10949611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR BOLTS BREAK AND CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE LOSE POWER SUDDENLY AND DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10949610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
SNAPPED ALUMINUM CAMSHAFT SENSOR BOLT RESULTED IN TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY PORSCHE AG HAS RESULTED IN AN AMENDMENT IN AN EXISTING SERVICE BULLETIN (WC-22) AND ALSO A RECALL OF OVER 14000 CAYENNES AND PANAMERAS IN CHINA.
NHTSA complaint #10949006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
FAULTY CAMSHAFT BOLTS IN EARLY V8'S OF THIS GENERATION (2011 MODELS) RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND SOMETIMES BRAKES. VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD, LUCKILY WAS NOT AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10918673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ACCELERATING AS I WAS MERGING INTO THE HIGHWAY. I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK. CHECK COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I STOPPED I SAW COOLANT EVERYWHERE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE GLUE FROM THE COOLANT TUBES FAILED AND NEEDS TO INSTALL NEW COOLANT PIPES.
NHTSA complaint #10917294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING WITH BOTH OF MY CHILDREN IN THE RAIN MY ENTIRE CAR LOCKED AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPES STOPPED MY WINDOWS WOULDN'T ROLL DOWN AND MY DOORS LOCKED ON AND OFF MY ALARM SYSTEM STARTED TO GO OFF UNCONTROLLABLY EVEN WHILE DRIVING PORSCHE ISN'T BEING OF ANY HELP GIVING ME RUN AROUNDS ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE PROCESS OF THE INCIDENT
NHTSA complaint #10852514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ENGINE
THE DISTRIBUTOR COLLECTOR COOLANT SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE PIPES HAS FAILED. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE PORSCHE CORPORATE OFFICE THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OR RECALLS ON FILE. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE COOLANT LIGHT APPEARED (NO OTHER SYMPTOMS), I DID NOT HIT A BUMP, IT WAS ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AS IF IT WAS ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10823724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN A REMOTE NATIONAL PARK, THE TUBING THAT RETURNS COOLANT TO THE ENGINE BLOCK FROM THE RADIATOR ON MY 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S COMPLETELY BLEW APART. THIS ALUMINUM TO ALUMINUM TUBING CONNECTION APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN HELD TOGETHER EXCLUSIVELY BY A THIN, INCOMPLETE RING OF EPOXY GLUE. THIS IS GROSSLY SUBSTANDARD ENGINEERING FOR ANY SUCH VITAL CONNECTION WITHIN THE ENGINE. PORSCHE HAS NEGLECTED TO REPAIR THIS KNOWN ISSUE IN MODEL YEARS SUCH AS MINE, BUT HAS CHANGED ITS DESIGN IN THE SUBSEQUENT MODEL YEARS (LIKELY BECAUSE THEY REALIZED THIS WAS DANGEROUS AND SUBSTANDARD ENGINEERING). THEY HAVE NOT SENT OUT ANY BULLETIN OR RECALL TO ADVISE DRIVERS OF THIS DEFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION OR PREEMPTIVELY REPAIR IT. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A DESERT WHERE I HAD TO WALK FOR HOURS TO GET HELP AND HAD TO HAVE $1000 TOW TO THE NEAREST CITY, ALL BECAUSE OF THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF WHICH PORSCHE IS ALREADY AWARE.
NHTSA complaint #10762247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.