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.
2012 Porsche CayenneProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 2012 Porsche Cayenne, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-656 the manufacturer reports only 30% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Porsche Cayenne has problems
27 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
12Power train
4Engine
3Electrical system
2Seats
1Air bags
1Visibility
1Electronic stability control (ESC)
1Equipment adaptive/mobility
1Fuel/propulsion system
11 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 12 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 |
| 1 other systems | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2012 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.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
Risk. If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Gasoline: turbo/supercharger
Risk. IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.
no report yet
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.
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
2012 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
2012 Porsche Cayenne safety ratings
2012 Porsche Cayenne SUV AWD 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
In owners' words
What Cayenne owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE TRANSFER CASE IS FAULTY. IT WAS REPLACED AT 26,000 MILES AND NOW IT IS ACTING THE SAME WAY AGAIN AT 48.000 MILES. I WAS ENTERING THE HWY AND THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER BEFORE JUMPING INTO GEAR. THIS IS NOT SAFE CONSIDERING THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND BEHIND. DID NOT…
THE TRANSFER CASE IN THIS CAR IS FAILING AT 53,000 MILES CAUSING UNSAFE, JERKING ACCELERATION LEADING TO TOTAL BREAKDOWN/SHUTDOWN IF NOT CORRECTED. NUMEROUS OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGES THE DEFECT AND IS NOW PROVIDING NEWLY DESIGNED REPAIR PARTS DESCRIBED AS…
CLUNKING / SURGING (ALMOST FEELS LIKE A MISFIRE) AFTER CAR WARMS UP IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. SEEMS TO BE WITH THE TRANSFER CASE. PURCHASES CAR USED 30 DAYS AGO AND THIS ISSUE STARTED TO APPEAR AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. NOW FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH…
Own a 2012 Cayenne?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.