repaired · 2024 Q3
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
2004 Porsche Cayenne SProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 48 owner complaints about the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S, most often about the power train. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-576 the manufacturer reports only 21% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 30, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S has problems
48 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
14Power train
11Engine and engine cooling
7Fuel/propulsion system
7Electrical system
6Engine
4Latches/locks/linkages
4Tires
3Service brakes, hydraulic
2Visibility
149 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 14 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 1 |
| Tires | 4 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 14 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2004 Porsche Cayenne S recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk. If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the…
repaired · 2019 Q4
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
no report yet
Seat belts
Risk. WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Show 5 more recalls
no report yet
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
no report yet
Seats
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT FRAME COULD BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING.
no report yet
Wiring: front underhood
Risk. IN EXTREME CASES, TO A CABLE FIRE BENEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE INFORMED OF THE VEHICLE'S GVWR AND GAWR.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Porsche.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Cayenne S year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cayenne S median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'11'12'13'14'15'19'20'21'24
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Porsche Cayenne S, and the recalls they led to.
- SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATIONNo recall
- SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATIONNo recall
In owners' words
What Cayenne S owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
PORSCHE HAS RECALLED THE 2011 FOR HEADLIGHT BECOMING LOOSE. I HAVE A 2004 WITH SAME PROBLEM. ANY TYPE OF VIBRATION OR BUMP IT BECOMES LOOSE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. PORSCHE IS AWARE OF DRIVESHAFT CLUNKING BECAUSE OF FAULTY BUSHINGS AND WILL NOT RECALL DRIVESHAFTS IT CLUNKS WHENN YOU…
WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND COMING FROM UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND MY TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN PROCEEDED ON BUT ONCE THE TRUCK GOT OVER 20MPH THE KNOCKING NOISE STARTED AGAIN. *TR
THE PORSCHE CAYENNE IS NOTORIOUS FOR DRIVE / CARDAN SHAFT FAILURES. HAD BAD DRIVE SHAFT NOISES, AND SUBSEQUENT PREMATURE FAILURE, IT WAS A WORN CENTER SUPPORT DAMPENER AND A FAULTY CENTER SUPPORT BEARING. I EXPERIENCED BANGING, BUMPING, GRINDING NOISES FROM MY PORSCHE CAYENNE AND WAS UNAWARE AT THE…
Own a 2004 Cayenne S?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.