2012 Porsche Cayenne
Only 27 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
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.
Only 27 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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 | 13 |
| 2016 | 38 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 39 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 27 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
12 of 27 total reports mention: power train.
Show complaint excerpts
IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2011+ CAYENNE THAT HAS THE TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM. THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY DURING 1-2 GEAR AND 3-4-5 GEAR. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180202
CAR HAD A SKIPPING FEELING WHEN DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 20,000 MILES AND TRANSFER BOX HAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY CHARGED ME 4660.47 FOR THE REPLACEMENT CLAIMING THE FIVE YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171125
4 of 27 total reports mention: engine.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171211
THE ENGINE OF MY PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO WAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE TURNING LEFT ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY. THE OPPOSITE CAR HAD TO VEERED OFF TO AVOID COLLISION. THE CAR KEPT MOVING FORWARD UNTIL IT HIT THE CURB. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120803
2 of 27 total reports mention: seats.
Show complaint excerpts
I RECENTLY PURCHASED PORSCHE CAYENNE S 2012 AND I'M HAPPY ABOUT THE SUV BUT THE COMFORT ENTRY FEATURE DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND DEALER ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T OFFER ANY SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120227
2 of 27 total reports mention: electrical system.
1 of 27 total reports mentions: visibility.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL GLARE FROM THE WINDSHIELD WHILE ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130903
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 C
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.
Campaign 12V065000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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.
Campaign 12V329000 — check if this car was fixed
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016.
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.
Campaign 16V169000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 22V656000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Porsche Cayenne — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seats issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V329000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V169000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V656000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Porsche Cayenne reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Porsche Cayenne?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.