Cayenne (9PA)
Data covers 3 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
4.5-V8-Gas
4.5L 8-cyl / 340 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.7-V6-Gas
2.7L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Porsche Cayenne Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
4.8-V8-Gas
4.8L 8-cyl / 405 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.6-V6-Gas
3.6L 6-cyl / 290 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Porsche Cayenne, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne
On a used 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (70), the fuel system (70) and the transmission and drivetrain (56). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 70 owner complaints on the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne about the engine, all engines combined.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 70 owner complaints on the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne about the fuel system, all engines combined.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 37 owner complaints on the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne about the electrical system.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Recalls (11)
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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles, 2004-2006 Cayenne vehicles, and 2006 Cayenne S "Titanium" Edition vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
PORSCHE IS RECALLING 5,573 MY 2008 CAYENNE V6 VEHICLES. A FUEL LINE IN THE PLENUM PANEL AREA MAY CONTACT THE REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER. RELATIVE MOVEMENTS OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING MAY CAUSE KNOCKING NOISES AND CHAFING ON THE FUEL LINE. A FUEL LEAK MAY DEVELOP.
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." ALL THREE REAR SEAT POSITIONS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER POSITION ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT HAVE A LOCKING FEATURE WHICH CONVERTS THE RETRACTOR FROM AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE TO AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION. THE BELT MAY DEACTIVATE THE ALR MODE WITH CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINTS.
Show 6 older recalls
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT IS INSUFFICIENT RIVETED.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD A TRANSFER CASE INSTALLED THAT COULD, DUE TO CHANGES IN THE HOUSING CASTING, RESULT IN THE OIL PUMP ROTATION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, OIL STARVATION OF THE INTERNAL GEARS MIGHT RESULT.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED. DAMAGE TO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS CAN LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE GROUND CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SPIRAL RING OF THE TANK FILLER NECK AND THE CONNECTING PIPE TO THE FUEL TANK IS INADEQUATE, THE FLOW OF FUEL DURING REFUELING CAN CREATE AN ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE, WHICH COULD DISCHARGE AND SPARK. THIS SPARK COULD IGNITE FUEL VAPORS IN THE AREA OUTSIDE THE TANK FILLER NECK THAT COULD LEAD TO A MUFFLED DETONATION.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAMES WERE NOT ADEQUATELY WELDED.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) AND GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AS REQUIRED BY PART 567.4(G)(3) AND (G)(4).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne complaints?
Owners have filed 264 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne. The systems they name most often are the engine, the fuel system and the transmission.
Is the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 264 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne have?
NHTSA has 264 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls covering some 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Porsche Cayenne?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the fuel system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Cayenne have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 264 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.