The Used Car Index

2012 Porsche Cayenne problems

NHTSA lists 27 complaints for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as PORSCHE CAYENNE.

At a glance

Complaints
27
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
4
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
222,858
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
480

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
POWER TRAIN1244.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER725.9%
ENGINE414.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM311.1%
SEATS27.4%
AIR BAGS13.7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)13.7%
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY13.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13.7%
SERVICE BRAKES13.7%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT PANEL1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure1043.5%0.82
loss of control626.1%0.75
electrical electronic417.4%0.92
noise or comfort14.3%0.49
unclear14.3%0.97
visibility or lighting14.3%0.97
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate1669.6%0.80
low626.1%0.82
high14.3%0.94

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 23 tagged complaints of 27 complaints (85.2%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

4 recalls.

22V656000

Date: 2022-08-30. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: 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 headlight (excerpt)

Consequence: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V169000

Date: 2016-03-23. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly circlip, installing any missing circlips, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG02.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

12V329000

Date: 2012-07-12. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURBINE WHEELS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

12V065000

Date: 2012-02-21. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP LOCKING ASSEMBLIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

480 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM101
EQUIPMENT96
UNKNOWN OR OTHER77
ENGINE59
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING51
POWER TRAIN27
STRUCTURE24
Diagnostic Tester16

11037808

Date: 2026-09-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN.

Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche A40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which A40 engine oils are assigned. Model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.

11037812

Date: 2026-09-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN.

Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which C30 engine oils are allocated.

11037813

Date: 2026-09-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN.

Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C20 engine oils are allocated.

11037816

Date: 2026-09-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN.

Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C40 engine oils are allocated.

11037868

Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS.

Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q3 2026 Software Spec Update Available

11037795

Date: 2026-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Technical Information for Damage to Nano Plug Contacts Due to Utilization of Incorrect Measuring Equipment

11037085

Date: 2026-08-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers

11037083

Date: 2026-08-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS.

Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available

11037071

Date: 2026-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Product Knowledge for Chassis/VIN Numbering Systems

11037072

Date: 2026-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Product Knowledge for Model Type Designations

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
CAYENNE27

Same model, other years

All model years | All Porsche models

Other Porsche models, 2012

Sources

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