Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

62 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
53

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 18fluid leaks 5
A recent report: AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, RANDOMLY A SERIOUS UNSAFE TO OPERATE 'SERVICE NECESSARY' WARNING APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS; ABRUPTLY SHUTTING OFF. WITH THE SERVICE…
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AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, RANDOMLY A SERIOUS UNSAFE TO OPERATE 'SERVICE NECESSARY' WARNING APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS; ABRUPTLY SHUTTING OFF. WITH THE SERVICE NECESSARY WARNING INDICATED, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVE-ABLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL. ERROR WILL GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. THIS BREAKDOWN APPEARS TO BE KNOWN TO PORSCHE BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON INTERNET COMMUNITY SITES

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11633034 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
4

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1electrical shorts 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to illuminate properly. The contact stated that there was water…
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The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to illuminate properly. The contact stated that there was water intrusion in the headlight housings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the headlamps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the contact had not yet received the notification. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11656251 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
1

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 1
A recent report: I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON A CITY STREET. I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THEN APPLIED MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PAD WOULDN'T GO DOWN, IT WAS HARD.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11235289 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
3

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying.

airbags not deploying 3
A recent report: The original Porsche leather upper dashboard has shrunk, causing exposed staples, and rippling of the leather , including rippling and bunching of the leather that is covering the passenger dash…
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The original Porsche leather upper dashboard has shrunk, causing exposed staples, and rippling of the leather , including rippling and bunching of the leather that is covering the passenger dash airbag assembly. I have been informed that in the event of an accident causing airbags to deploy, the passenger airbag would likely not deploy correctly, and further injury could also occur because of exposed staples and hardware that should not be exposed. My Porsche dealer and independent dealer have both advised replacement of dash (for a very large sum of money). I have also taken the vehicle to multiple upholstery shops and all have declined to fix the problem solely due to the airbag risk/liability. This is very common issue for late model porsche full leather option dashes, and specifically Cayenne models seem to be heavily affected. At this point, I am worried about the safety of my vehicle, and continue usage, and the dealer price to fix out of pocket is prohibitive (the part itself from the porsche dealer is >$6000, not including significant labor charges to remove and replace the full dash). Cayenne owners have been quoted over $10,000 to fix the issue from dealers. Thank you for your time

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11627391 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN EXTREME GLARE WAS REFLECTING FROM THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, OBSTRUCTING HIS VISION. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PLACE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN EXTREME GLARE WAS REFLECTING FROM THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, OBSTRUCTING HIS VISION. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PLACE A BLANKET OVER THE DASHBOARD AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10413941 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 62 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2025, roughly 4 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.