2004 Porsche Cayenne
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
26% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 38 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 38 |
| 2005 | 32 |
| 2006 | 41 |
| 2008 | 27 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2013 | 40 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
26% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing driveshaft and driveline.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated he parked the vehicle in his drive way without the emergency break engaged and left to enter his residence.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-03-26
2004 Porsche Cayenne. Consumer writes in regards to transmission shift lever safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle was parked and rolled into another vehicle which, then crashed into a vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-11-20
Engine
24% · 9 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Driving on interstate highway, check engine and add coolant lights on. Stopped added coolant, drove home parked in driveway. Out to use Cayenne again, noticed coolant on driveway, started engine coolant leak allover drive.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-12
While driving check engine light on and vehicle lack power. Drove to independent repair service, replaced 8 ignition coils and 8 spark plugs to correct problem. All ignition coils cracked.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-12
Fuel/propulsion system
21% · 8 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. While parked at home, the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was contacted and the fire was extinguished. A police report was filed. The contact's house sustained fire damage.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-07
Electrical system
16% · 6 reportsAir bags
8% · 3 reportsSafety timeline
6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2004-05-03Power train04V071000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transfer case housing and, if necessary, replace the transfer case. Owner notification began on May 3, 2004. Owners should contact Porsche at 1-800-545-8039.
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R
2004-06-01Seat belts04V231000 On certain passenger vehicles, the rear seat belt latch attachment bolt is insufficient riveted.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the belt buckle latch and, if necessary, replace the latch. Owner notification began on June 1, 2004. Owners should contact Porsche at 1-800-545-8039.
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R
2005-05-17Seat belts04V593000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will permanently install a clip in either of the affected rear outboard seat belts and provide an owner's manual insert. The clips will prevent unwarranted conversion from alr to elr mode…
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I
2005-11-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-03-15 SRS warning light illumination
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I
2006-03-15Engineering analysisClosed 2007-03-12 SRS warning light illumination
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2018-07-06Fuel system, gasoline17V576000 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.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243.
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2019-08-09Power train19V446000 Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019.
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R
2022-10-28Exterior lighting22V656000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2004 Porsche Cayenne — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 10 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 9 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 8 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V071000 · Power train
- Recall 04V231000 · Seat belts
- Recall 04V593000 · Seat belts
- Recall 17V576000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 19V446000 · Power train
- Recall 22V656000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →Worst years1 year
FAQ
- Is the 2004 Porsche Cayenne reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Porsche Cayenne is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Porsche Cayenne?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2004 Porsche Cayenne have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.