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2004 Porsche CayenneProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 2004 Porsche Cayenne, most often about the power train. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-576 the manufacturer reports only 21% of affected cars repaired.

2004 Porsche Cayenne
46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Cayenne median · #3 of 16 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 21%Owner complaints385 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage113kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 24, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Porsche Cayenne has problems

38 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train102
Engine90
Fuel/propulsion system81
Electrical system61
Air bags30
Exterior lighting30
Suspension20
Chest clip, buckle, harness10
Service brakes, hydraulic11
6 other systems61

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2004 Porsche Cayenne 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.

30%repaired · 2024 Q3

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 22V-656 · Aug 30, 2022 · 222,858 vehicles · 67,551 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

38%repaired · 2020 Q4

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 19V-446 · Jun 12, 2019 · 99,665 vehicles · 38,215 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

21%repaired · 2019 Q4

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 17V-576 · Sep 20, 2017 · 50,145 vehicles · 10,571 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 04V-593 · Dec 15, 2004 · 31,000 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 04V-231 · May 17, 2004 · 19,175 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 04V-071 · Feb 18, 2004 · 4,099 vehicles

Risk. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 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 median. How we score

'03'04'05'06'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Porsche Cayenne safety ratings

2004 Porsche Cayenne 4-DR. 4x4 w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Porsche Cayenne, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATIONEA06005 · closed Mar 12, 2007
    No recall
  2. SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATIONPE05060 · closed Mar 15, 2006
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cayenne owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Strong odor of gasoline traveling through the vents injected into vehicle. Fuel filter has a crack. Underhood electrical problems that may cause a fire
Complaint 11540647 · Aug 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting), 19V446000 (Power Train), and 17V576000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer…
Complaint 11491915 · Nov 2, 2022 · 170,000 miles
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. THE CONTACT STATED WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES LATER, WHEN EXITING HIS RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED GEARS TO REVERSE AND…
Complaint 11319375 · Mar 26, 2020 · 90,000 miles

Own a 2004 Cayenne?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.