Cayenne (92A)
Data covers 11 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
3.6-V8-Gas
3.6L 8-cyl / 420 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.6-V6-Gas
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
4.8-V8-Gas
4.8L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.0-V6-Diesel
3.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
MA1.02
3.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Porsche Cayenne Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
2.7-V6-Gas
2.7L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 5 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2011] A 'HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE' MESSAGE IS RECEIVED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION (NORMAL DRIVING, AND/OR ACCELERATED DRIVING), OR UPON INITIAL START-UP OF THE ENGINE. THE HYBRID SYSTEM THEM FAILS TO 'E' CHARGE AS IT SHOULD. AFTER A FEW DAYS ERROR MAY DISAPPEAR, BUT RANDOMLY RESURFACES EACH TIME.
- [2012] THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS UNKNOWN HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE. IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER ABRUPTLY WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON A CITY STREET WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT TRAVEL MORE THAN 20 MILES ON AUTOMATIC; UNLESS IT IS SWITCHED TO MANUAL SHIFT GEAR. THIS VEHICLE HAD SUBMITTED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND CONCLUSION WAS MADE AS THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE BATTERY FAILUR
- [2016] my car had a problem in the hybrid part, before doing the diagnosis they said 3 different problems, when they gave me the diagnosis they said they didn't know what it was but that to begin with “it could be “ the components $13,000 to fix. but my car is under the 8 years or 100,000mls hybrid system warranty, so i contacted porshe headquarters and they said the car was out of warranty. so i called
High-Voltage Battery
- [2012] THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS UNKNOWN HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE. IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER ABRUPTLY WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON A CITY STREET WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT TRAVEL MORE THAN 20 MILES ON AUTOMATIC; UNLESS IT IS SWITCHED TO MANUAL SHIFT GEAR. THIS VEHICLE HAD SUBMITTED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND CONCLUSION WAS MADE AS THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE BATTERY FAILUR
- [2015] The 2015 Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid has a charging port for charging the electric drive battery. The electric plug does not disconnect from the vehicle. Based on the OBD-II software used for diagnosis Error Code - P0D9400 Error Description - High-voltage charger - charging-plug lock fault (00A93D)
Charging System
- [2015] The 2015 Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid has a charging port for charging the electric drive battery. The electric plug does not disconnect from the vehicle. Based on the OBD-II software used for diagnosis Error Code - P0D9400 Error Description - High-voltage charger - charging-plug lock fault (00A93D)
Electric Propulsion
- [2017] 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
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
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 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne
On a used 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (81), the engine (65) and the airbags and driver-assist systems (36). 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.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 81 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne about the engine, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 36 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne about the electrical system.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Recalls (9)
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 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid Platinum Edition, Macan Turbo and Macan GTS vehicles, 2017-2018 Cayenne S, Macan, Cayenne Platinum Edition and Macan S vehicles and 2018 Cayenne vehicles equipped with the optional ski bag. The ski bag fastening strap may have been sewn with incorrect thread, possibly resulting in the strap seams tearing and the ski bag being unsecured in the event of a crash.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo vehicles, 2011-2012 Panamera and Panamera 4 vehicles, and 2011 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles. The affected vehicles have camshaft controllers that may come loose inside the engine, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cayenne S Hybrid, and 2012 Panamera S Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 26, 2011, to August 2, 2012. The fuel injection system may leak.
Show 4 older recalls
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cayenne Diesel and Cayenne S vehicles manufactured November 26, 2014, to November 27, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, the suspension alignment on the front and rear axles may not have been performed correctly and the screw connections of the camber, toe and caster may not have been tightened with the specified torque.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cayenne and Cayenne GTS, model year 2013 Cayenne Diesel and model year 2014 Cayenne S, S Hybrid, Turbo, and Turbo S vehicles manufactured May 27, 2013, through July 10, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the calculated range of the remaining fuel displayed on the instrument cluster may be higher than the actual range. Additionally, the fuel level indicated by the fuel gauge may also be higher than actual amount in the tank.
PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 PANAMERA TURBO, 2012 PANAMERA TURBO S, AND 2012 CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES. THE TURBINE WHEEL OF A TURBOCHARGER MAY FRACTURE DUE TO A CASTING DEFECT. IF A FRACTURE OCCURS, VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DECREASED AND THE TURBINE SHAFT MAY FRACTURE.
PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CAYENNE, CAYENNE S, CAYENNE S HYBRID, AND CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 8, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2012 BECAUSE THE HEADLAMPS MAY COME LOOSE AND DETACH FROM THE FENDER.
All Generations
Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne complaints?
Owners have filed 263 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the engine and the safety systems.
Is the 2011-2017 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 263 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2017 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 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne have?
NHTSA has 263 owner complaints on file for the 2011-2017 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 2011-2017 Porsche Cayenne?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2011-2017 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 transmission, the engine and the safety systems, 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 2011-2017 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. 263 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.