Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 2009 Porsche Cayenne with NHTSA between 2009 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 17 of 18 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 — 28
Against the median year of the Porsche Cayenne. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 66
39% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2009 compares with every other Porsche Cayenne
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Porsche Cayenne
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
628.6%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
419.0%
Median failure at 173,500 miles
Electrical System
419.0%
Median failure at 75,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
29.5%
Median failure at 1,001 miles
Equipment & Accessories
14.8%
Median failure at 9,960 miles
Stability & Traction Control
14.8%
Median failure at 1,001 miles
Seats
14.8%
Median failure at 107,000 miles
Tires
14.8%
Median failure at 1,001 miles
Lights
14.8%
Median failure at 101,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
738.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
422.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
422.2%
150,000+ miles
316.7%
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 2009peak 5Jun 2026
Recalls on the 2009 Porsche Cayenne
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 202248758,856 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain vehicles, covers were not installed over the horizontal headlamp adjusters. As a result, the headlamps may be adjusted horizontally. Canadian regulations do not allow for horizontal headlamp adjustment unless the vehicle is equipped with a built-in aiming device. Safety Risk: Headlamps that are not properly adjusted could cause reduced visibility or glare for oncoming drivers, and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Porsche will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to install caps over the headlamp adjustment screws.
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 201919233,832 units in Canada
Label
Issue: Certain wheels were made without a marking that is required by Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: This small error does not affect safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has made changes to include the required marking on all new parts.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Porsche Cayenne. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to O’Reilly's for a diagnostic test, the diagnostic report listed the mileage at 209,000; however, at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000. The dealer was not notified of the discrepancy, as per the Attorney's advice.
NHTSA complaint #11744537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 157,000 milesOkaland, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2009 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated there was visible damage to the fuel tank flange, and there was a leak coming from the fuel tank. The contact stated that the OBD port provided a code and that the fuel was too lean, causing the RPM to fluctuate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for throttle body repair, but the failure persisted. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.
NHTSA complaint #11722935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Tobacco, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel leaking from fuel tank
NHTSA complaint #11516582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monterey Park, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Very strong gas smell at driver side rear tire area.
NHTSA complaint #11510169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesAtlanta, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE EMANATING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #11337128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kailua, HI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ABOUT COUPLE/FEW WEEKS AGO UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR EVEN WHEN UNLOCKED IN PARK POSITION AND WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. IT IS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED ON YOUTUBE. IN AN EMERGENCY & ACCIDENT DRIVER IS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY ESCAPE/GET OUT OF VEHICLE BECAUSE DOOR WON'T OPEN EVEN WITH NUMEROUS TRIES FROM INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. WE HAVE A YOUNG CHILD AND IN THE EVENT I NEED TO GET HER OUT IMMEDIATELY I AM UNABLE TO SINCE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T OPEN. MY WIFE BEEN HAVING TO CRAWL OUT/ENTER FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IN ORDER TO ENTER/EXIT CAR & GET OUR DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT. I'M TAKING CAR TO DEALER ON 6/26/2020 FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE WE FEEL UNSAFE ESPECIALLY WITH A YOUNG CHILD. .
NHTSA complaint #11330861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesLancaster, TX
SEATS
I WAS DRIVING HOME ABOUT 10:44 PM ON AUGUST 14 2019 WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A EXPLOSION TO MY WINDOWS BUT I WAS AFRAID TO PULL OVER BECAUSE IT WAS A DARK ROAD SO I GOT TO THE FIRST GAS STATION AND CHECKED FOR DAMAGE WINDOWS BUT COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE DRIVERS BACK SEAT WHICH HAD I GUES SWOLLEN AND BUST OUT OR COMPLETELY DISENGAGED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11244315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,500 milesHopkins, MN
POWER TRAIN
DRIVE SHAFT GOES OFF UNEXPECTEDLY RESULTING IN VIOLENT SHAKING OF VEHICLE AND LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #11230616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesMerced, CA
POWER TRAIN
DRIVE SHAFT MOUNT FAILED
NHTSA complaint #11140269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesFairfax, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DURING NORMAL COMMUTE TO WORK DRIVING, A MESSAGE "CHECK DIM BEAM" APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE BOARD. UPON ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FAULTY DIM BEAM HEADLAMP BULB, I FOUND HEADLAMP HARNESS WIRING AND ALL INTERNAL HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WIRING IS CRACKED AND CRUMBLING AND CONDUCTORS ARE EXPOSED AND CAUSING SHORTS AND APPARENT LAMP FAILURE. OTHER HEADLAMP LIGHTING (SIDE DIRECTIONAL LAMP) LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF WHEN HARNESS WAS TOUCHED, AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FLASHED AND TURNED OFF AND ON BY THEMSELVES, PARTICULARLY THE RADIO. WHEN THE SUSPECT DIM BEAM LAMP WAS SWAPPED WITH OPPOSITE (PASSENGER SIDE, THE REPLACEMENT LAMP DID NOT WORK BUT THE SUSPECT LAMP FROM DRIVER SIDE WORKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THE LAMP ASSEMBLY WAS SUSPECT. UPON OPENING THE ACCESS POINTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ASSEMBLY, THE WIRING WAS SEEN TO BE CRUMBLING AND UNSAFE. I AM WORRIED THAT A FIRE MAY START AND HAVE DISCONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11123534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesFairfax, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DURING NORMAL COMMUTE TO WORK DRIVING, A MESSAGE "CHECK DIM BEAM" APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE BOARD. UPON ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FAULTY DIM BEAM HEADLAMP BULB, I FOUND HEADLAMP HARNESS WIRING AND ALL INTERNAL HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WIRING IS CRACKED AND CRUMBLING AND CONDUCTORS ARE EXPOSED AND CAUSING SHORTS AND APPARENT LAMP FAILURE. OTHER HEADLAMP LIGHTING (SIDE DIRECTIONAL LAMP) LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF WHEN HARNESS WAS TOUCHED, AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FLASHED AND TURNED OFF AND ON BY THEMSELVES, PARTICULARLY THE RADIO. WHEN THE SUSPECT DIM BEAM LAMP WAS SWAPPED WITH OPPOSITE (PASSENGER SIDE, THE REPLACEMENT LAMP DID NOT WORK BUT THE SUSPECT LAMP FROM DRIVER SIDE WORKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THE LAMP ASSEMBLY WAS SUSPECT. UPON OPENING THE ACCESS POINTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ASSEMBLY, THE WIRING WAS SEEN TO BE CRUMBLING AND UNSAFE. I AM WORRIED THAT A FIRE MAY START AND HAVE DISCONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11123534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesRaleigh, NC
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10630319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesCorrales, NM
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. WENT TO USE IT, OPENED DOOR TO DRIVERS SIDE, DASH READS IGNITION LOCK FAULT. WOULD NOT START, WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. TOWED TO DEALER (AFTER TOWING CO. DID EMERGENCY UNLOCK OF TRANSMISSION TO GET OUT OF GARAGE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT PORSCHE DEALERSHIP FOR A WEEK NOW, TOLD AT FIRST IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD. REPLACED AND STILL NOT FUNCTIONING (NO START) NOW TOLD CONTROL MODULE MUST BE REPLACED AS IT GOT "WET" AND VEHICLE INTERIOR FLOOR HAD GOTTEN WET. RESEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS GETTING WET FROM A DEFECT IN CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10628959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesCorrales, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. WENT TO USE IT, OPENED DOOR TO DRIVERS SIDE, DASH READS IGNITION LOCK FAULT. WOULD NOT START, WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. TOWED TO DEALER (AFTER TOWING CO. DID EMERGENCY UNLOCK OF TRANSMISSION TO GET OUT OF GARAGE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT PORSCHE DEALERSHIP FOR A WEEK NOW, TOLD AT FIRST IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD. REPLACED AND STILL NOT FUNCTIONING (NO START) NOW TOLD CONTROL MODULE MUST BE REPLACED AS IT GOT "WET" AND VEHICLE INTERIOR FLOOR HAD GOTTEN WET. RESEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS GETTING WET FROM A DEFECT IN CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10628959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,960 milesManalapan, NJ
EQUIPMENT
UNABLE TO LISTEN TO RADIO STATIONS ON RADIO DUE TO STATIC NOISE AND HEAVY SOUND INTERFERENCES EVEN ON LOCAL NJ FM RADIO STATIONS. THIS DEFECT SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE USE, VALUE OR SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, AS THIS IS CAUSING DRIVER FRUSTRATION AND REDUCED DRIVER FOCUS WHICH I AM AFRAID WILL LEAD TO A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO LISTEN OR LISTEN WITH STATIC AND HEAVY SOUND INTERFERENCES TO THE RADIO FOR NEWS, MUSIC AND RADIO TALK. THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AND TESTED BY AN INDEPENDENT AUDIO PROFESSIONAL IN WRITING AND REPORT CONCLUSION IS "RADIO STATIONS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, HEAVY INTERFERENCES. TESTED ON LOCAL NJ STATIONS 94.3FM AND 101.5FM",
NHTSA complaint #10326131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,466 milesLOS Angeles, CA
POWER TRAIN
I OWN A 2009 PORSCHE CARRERA CONVERTIBLE WITH PDK TRANSMISSION. IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND CAR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL FOR A SPLIT SECOND OR TWO BEFORE ENGAGING INTO FIRST GEAR. MY CAR ONLY HAS 4,300 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. PORSCHE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION AT THIS TIME. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN I AM WAITING IN AN INTERSECTION WANTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THEN WHEN I FINALLY IT IS CLEAR TO TURN THE CAR WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL FOR ABOUT A SECOND BEFORE ENGAGING INTO FIRST GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10263958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,001 milesJupiter, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR ARE SHOWING A SUSPENSION ISSUE. AND THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR DO NOT WORK FOR MORE THAN 5-7 MIN BEFORE SHUTDOWN AND RESTART. THIS INCLUDES RADIO, BLUETOOTH, GPS, ETC. WHEN THE ELECTRONICS START BACK UP THE RADIO IS TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #10261287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,001 milesJupiter, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR ARE SHOWING A SUSPENSION ISSUE. AND THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR DO NOT WORK FOR MORE THAN 5-7 MIN BEFORE SHUTDOWN AND RESTART. THIS INCLUDES RADIO, BLUETOOTH, GPS, ETC. WHEN THE ELECTRONICS START BACK UP THE RADIO IS TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #10261287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,001 milesJupiter, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR ARE SHOWING A SUSPENSION ISSUE. AND THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR DO NOT WORK FOR MORE THAN 5-7 MIN BEFORE SHUTDOWN AND RESTART. THIS INCLUDES RADIO, BLUETOOTH, GPS, ETC. WHEN THE ELECTRONICS START BACK UP THE RADIO IS TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #10261287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,001 milesJupiter, FL
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR ARE SHOWING A SUSPENSION ISSUE. AND THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR DO NOT WORK FOR MORE THAN 5-7 MIN BEFORE SHUTDOWN AND RESTART. THIS INCLUDES RADIO, BLUETOOTH, GPS, ETC. WHEN THE ELECTRONICS START BACK UP THE RADIO IS TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #10261287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,001 milesJupiter, FL
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR ARE SHOWING A SUSPENSION ISSUE. AND THE ELECTRONICS ON THE CAR DO NOT WORK FOR MORE THAN 5-7 MIN BEFORE SHUTDOWN AND RESTART. THIS INCLUDES RADIO, BLUETOOTH, GPS, ETC. WHEN THE ELECTRONICS START BACK UP THE RADIO IS TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #10261287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.