NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, RANDOMLY A SERIOUS UNSAFE TO OPERATE 'SERVICE NECESSARY' WARNING APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS; ABRUPTLY SHUTTING OFF. WITH THE SERVICE NECESSARY WARNING INDICATED, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVE-ABLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL. ERROR WILL GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. THIS BREAKDOWN APPEARS TO BE KNOWN TO PORSCHE BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON INTERNET COMMUNITY SITES
The leather on my Porsche Cayenne dashboard has shrunk and is pulling away from the front of the dashboard. My mechanic tells me that this is a possible safety issue because if the vehicle is in an accident, the front passenger airbag may not deploy correctly and recommends replacing (expensive). In checking various Porsche online forums, this appears to be a common issue among owners with the more expensive leather dashboards.
Porsche dash material is separating from the substrate of the structure. This material is directly between the airbag and the now loose material on the surface of the dash (leather). Porsche will not repair this and recommends a replacement at an estimated $10,000 USD. There is a significant risk to safety as the now loose upper material will interfere with the deployment of the airbag on the passenger side, adding potential harm and injury to a passenger inside the vehicle.
The original Porsche leather upper dashboard has shrunk, causing exposed staples, and rippling of the leather , including rippling and bunching of the leather that is covering the passenger dash airbag assembly. I have been informed that in the event of an accident causing airbags to deploy, the passenger airbag would likely not deploy correctly, and further injury could also occur because of exposed staples and hardware that should not be exposed. My Porsche dealer and independent dealer have both advised replacement of dash (for a very large sum of money). I have also taken the vehicle to multiple upholstery shops and all have declined to fix the problem solely due to the airbag risk/liability. This is very common issue for late model porsche full leather option dashes, and specifically Cayenne models seem to be heavily affected. At this point, I am worried about the safety of my vehicle, and continue usage, and the dealer price to fix out of pocket is prohibitive (the part itself from the porsche dealer is >$6000, not including significant labor charges to remove and replace the full dash). Cayenne owners have been quoted over $10,000 to fix the issue from dealers. Thank you for your time
The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. Additionally, while driving, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, and the brake pedal was firm while depressed. The vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. The traction control, check engine, oil pressure, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side camshaft controller and bolts had failed. The dealer determined that both the driver's and passenger's side camshaft controllers and bolts needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the camshaft adjusters and bolts under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V368000 (Engine) associated with the VIN; however, the contact was not satisfied with the remedy for the recall. The contact stated that the dealer failed to recover all the failed bolts inside the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 131,046.
My vehicle has camshaft and crankshaft correlation problems due to the well-known problem with its screws and other things. I reported it to Porsche and they told me that it has already been repaired but I don't understand how to fail again and deny help for its repair.
The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to illuminate properly. The contact stated that there was water intrusion in the headlight housings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the headlamps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the contact had not yet received the notification. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
2011 Porsche Cayenne S Model- Consumer is writing in reference to Porsche Recall ANB4. Requesting investigation into the rubber sealer replacements and ordering the Porsche Cars North America to redo the recall for all subjected vehicles after providing enough headlight rubber sealers to dealerships. Recall letter & pictures attached.
I have a 2011 model Porsche Cayenne S. From the service records, I can tell the car has had two transfer cases already replaced and is in need of another. The first transfer case was replaced in mid-2016 by the dealer at about 46,000 miles. The second transfer case was replaced just over 12,000 miles later, at 58,500 miles, in late 2019. Both replacements were done by the previous owner. This should have been the newest and most updated transfer case with the new control modules and GNC-coated plates, but this does not appear to have solved the problems Porsche is having with the transfer cases. It is now mid-2023, and an independent shop says I need another transfer case in my car at 76,000 miles. It is hard to believe that Porsche considered the upgraded parts (2018+) to be a permanent solution, especially when it only lasted about 17,000 miles. I will hopefully be able to have my local dealership dissect the transfer case I am replacing so that I can learn more about what actually failed on this updated unit. Transfer cases are a major part of the vehicle and should be expected to last just as long as other major components (ex. engine, transmission). It is very unsafe when any major part of the drive train fails. PS. One of the main reasons for purchasing this specific cayenne was because I believed the transfer case it had installed in 2019 would have solved all of these issues and I would not need to replace it again.
2011 Cayenne Turbo: Vehicle has had recent transfer case servicing. Experiencing a grinding sensation on roundabouts, and turns that almost feels as if the brake is applied. If issue continues to worsen, it could easily cause an accident as a sudden speed reduction on a roundabout, or turn may prompt unaware/inattentive drivers to rear-end me, or worse. Dealership is citing transfer case failure, however, my vehicle is one year removed from the end of the extended warranty campaign and is no longer eligible for a replacement unit.
THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ON THE TIMING COVER ARE BROKEN CAUSING AN OIL LEAK. IF THE ALL BOLTS ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM THEN WHAT ABOUT THE TRANSFER CASE? I'VE HEARD ABOUT NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF BOLTS BREAKING EITHER BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BOLTS AND THE MAGNESIUM IN THE MOTOR. IT HAS OCCURRED ON OTHER MODELS OF PORSCHES. PORSCHE SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ON ALL PARTS.
VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH MY 2011 CAYENNE S -- JUST REPLACED TRANSFER CASE IN JULY 2017 (LESS THAN 3 YEARS AGO) DUE TO UNEXPECTED PAUSING/HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING, AND NOW THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN!!! SEARCHED ONLINE AND READ SIMILAR COMMENTS MADE BY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PORSCHE HAS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS -- IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD BE LIFE-THREATENING. *TR
TRANSFER CASE WHILE DRIVING STARTED JERKING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.. IT HAS SLOWLY GOTTEN WORSE AND HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS I ALMOST HAVE GOT INTO A FEW ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE SURGE IN SUDDEN JERKS. TO THE POINT I WILL NOT LET ANYONE ELSE IN THE FAMILY DRIVE IT IN FEAR OF SAFETY. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW $5,000 TRANSFER CASE. A LOCAL PORSCHE SHOP TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S ISSUE AND VERY COMMON IN THESE CARS - DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TRANSFER CASE AND CAN BE DANGEROUS, BUT NO RECALL (KNOWN) SO FAR. I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION CAN LOCK UP DURING DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH. I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE A LUXURY VEHICLE THAT I AM PAYING INSURANCE ON OF WHICH I CAN'T DRIVE THAT IS USELESS SITTING IN MY GARAGE. THIS WAS MY 1ST PORSCHE AND SADLY MAY BE MY LAST IF THIS IS NOT RESOLVED. I HAVE READ TONS OF REPORTS ON FORUMS CITING THIS SAME PROBLEM. IF THIS IS SUCH A KNOWN HAZARD WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO HAVE PORSCE DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL & GET THIS FIXED? I PRAY THEY ARE NOT WAITING FOR A DEATH FIRST. *TR
ENGINE STOPPED WORKING.
INTAKE CAMSHAFTS ADJUSTER BOLTS BROKE WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET C@P CASE WITH PORSCHE # 0005611574 MANUFACTURER CAMPAIGN NUMBER : AH08
CAR HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED AT 20K AND NOW TOLD TO DO AGAIN AT 46K. SUDDEN JERK AND LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHEN CAR IS GOING FROM 3 TO 4 GEAR OR UNDER 25MPH. ISSUE SEEMS TO BE PRETTY MUCH ON MOST CAYENNES AND COST $5000 TO REPAIR. MINE IS A 2014 MODEL
COOLANT LEAKS WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. LEAK IS DUE TO FAULTY PLASTIC THAT WAS REDESIGNED TO METAL TUBING DUE TO COMMON REPORTED ISSUES. PLASTIC TUBING CONNECTED TO COOLANT SYSTEM WILL BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACKED, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND LOST OF COOLANT. THIS ISSUE IS COMMONLY REPORTED ABOUT THE 2011 CAYANNE WITH A DEALERSHIP COST OF UP TO $4500.
TRANSFER CASE HAS FAILED, JERKING AND INTERRUPTION OF ACCELERATIONS. ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA COMPLAINT LOG SYSTEM AS WELL AS DOCUMENTED ONLINE. I CALLED PORSCHE AND THEY DENIED KNOWING ABOUT ANY PROBLEM WITH IT BUT YOU CAN CALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AT ANY PORSCHE DEALER AND THEY IMMEDIATELY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I CALLED TWO AND THEY KNOW OF IT AS A COMMON PROBLEM. EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO CORRECT ($5,000).
I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON A CITY STREET. I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THEN APPLIED MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PAD WOULDN'T GO DOWN, IT WAS HARD.
THE COOLANT PIPE DESIGN IS FLAWED. THE BARB IS GLUED AND PRESSED IN THE ALUMINUM BODY. OVER TIME THE GLUE LOSES ITS PROPERTIES AND THE BARB COMES OUT THUS CAUSING MASSIVE COOLANT LEAK AND THE ENGINE CAN OVERHEAT. THE PART WAS REDISGNED AROUND 2015 WHERE THE BARB IS NOW THREADED, BUT THE ORIGINAL PART IS A SAFEY HAZARD FOR THE OLDER MODELS WITH POTENTIAL HUGE REPAIR COSTS.
I HAVE HAD THE TRANSFER CASE REPLACED IN THIS VEHICLE TWICE IN THE LAST 25K MILES. AT 65K MILES THE CAR IS DOING THE FAMILIAR GRINDING AND SURGING AGAIN, EVIDENT IT WILL NEED A THIRD $5-6000 TRANSFER CASE. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN OR REPAIR THE ISSUE EFFECTIVELY. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT REPLY TO INQUIRIES, IT IS MY REQUEST THAT THEY BE FORCED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT, RELIABLE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THIS COULD CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCE SINCE IT HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE MECHANICS AT THE VARIOUS DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME ITS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE SPANNING PORSCHE SUVS FROM 2008 THROUGH THE PRESENT. GOTTA WONDER WHAT THIS MANUFACTURER IS THINKING HERE AND WHY THEY ARE HIDING THE DETAILS.
AT TIME OF PURCHASE, 11/5/18 MY WIFE GLENDA AND I TOOK IT INTO PORSCHE WOODLAND HILLS WHO PERFORMED CAMPAIGN AHO8 OR VERIFIED THAT THE WORK HAD BEEN DONE - REPLACING THE FAULTY FASTENING SCREWS IN CAMSHAFT CONTROLLER. ATTACHED INVOICE #C56285 DATED 11/5/18 SAYS "RECALL COMPLETED - NO CORRECTION NEEDED" UNDER CONCERN #24 (MIDDLE OF PAGE).
TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. THERE IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY PORSCHE OF AN ASSOCIATED DEFECT OF THE TRANSFER CASE DESIGN AND A RELATED WORKSHOP BULLETIN (WB) WHEN REPLACING THE TRANSFER CASE. PORSCHE MECHANICS ARE INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE A "VENT HOSE" FOR THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS NEWLY REVISED DESIGN PART NUMBER FOR THE REVISED VENT IS 958-301-047-10. THE REASON: THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FOR CAYENNE 958 PORSCHE TRANSFER CASES HAD THE HOSE ENDING ON THE LOWER (CLOSER TO THE GROUND) SIDE OF THE TRANSFER CASE. THE NEW HOSE ENDS ON THE UPPER (FURTHER FROM THE GROUND) SIDE OF THE TRANSFER CASE. PORSCHE DETERMINED THAT MOISTURE WAS GETTING SUCKED INTO THE CASES AND CAUSING FLUID CONTAMINATION. SINCE THE TRANSFER CASE USES A "MULTIPLATE WET CLUTCH", MOISTURE COULD PREMATURELY CORRODE OR ALLOW RUST TO FORM, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CLUTCH TO BIND AND WORK ERRATICALLY. THESE ARE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS OF 958 CAYENNES DISCUSSED IN PORSCHE FORUMS (E.G. RENNTECH.ORG, RENNSLIST.COM, ETC.). THIS REVISED VENT DEVELOPED BY PORSCHE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING DESIGN, SHOULD BE COVERED BY PORSCHE. MOREOVER, OWNERS OF 958 CAYENNES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURES OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND SUBSEQUENT REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE NEWLY DESIGNED HOSE, SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FULL COST OF THE REPLACEMENT TRANSFER CASE AND THE HOSE. THERE ARE NOW HUNDREDS OF CAYENNE OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. MOREOVER, THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE DOES NOT CALL FOR ANY PREVENTATIVE FLUID CHANGES OF THE TRANSMISSION OIL. THIS SHOULD BE REVISED AND RECOMMENDED SERVICING SHOULD BE PRESCRIBED (E.G., EVERY 10,000 MILES). THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE COULD CAUSE VEHICLES TO LURCH OR REACT IN AN ERRATIC OR UNSAFE CAPACITY ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF OPERATION, INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEED DRIVING. SUCH AN ERRATIC EVENT COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC HARM TO DRIVERS, PASSENGERS, OR BYSTANDERS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
VEHICLE ACTS AS IF GOING OVER SPEED BUMP OVER 18MPH ALSO JERKING AND TUGGING ON YOU AS YOU ACCELERATE MAKING FOR HARD TURNING IN PARKING LOTS FEELS LIKE FRONT WHEEL IS LOCKING UP ALSO NOTICING SAFETY CONCERN WILE COMING TO STOP IN TRAFFIC UNDER ABOUT 3MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY LEARCHES FORWARD AS IF ENGINE HAS MORE POWER OR SOMETHING BECOMES UN JAMMED. TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY NOW OUT OF WARRANTY IT FEELS AS IF A SAFETY CONCERN IS THE ISSUE
TRANSFER CASE FAILED 2016 ; WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AND FAILED AGAIN 2017. WHILE DRIVING FAILURE AFFECTS SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION.
THE TRANSFER CASE IN THIS CAR IS FAILING AT 50,000 MILES LEADING TO POTENTIAL LOCK UP OF WHEELS, AXLES, OR TOTAL BREAKDOWN/SHUTDOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED IF NOT CORRECTED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS KNOWN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE.
2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CAR STALLING WHILE DRIVING. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED NO FAULT CODES APPEARED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DRIFTED INTO A CURB BENDING AND DAMAGING THE FRONT WHEELS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PORSCHE OF SILVER SPRING IN SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PORSCHE OF SILVER SPRING WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT CONTROLLERS FAILED AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CAMSHAFT CONTROLLER SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER HAD REPAIR DONE PRIOR TO RECALL AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *LD *JS
TRANSFER CASE WENT BAD AT 64K MILES. THREE TSB'S ON TRANSFER CASE PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE VERY ISSUE MY CAR HAS.
THE BOLTS ON THE CAMSHAFT CONTROLLER BROKE INSIDE OF MY ENGINE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON THE 405 FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES, CA. THE CAR VIOLENTLY JERKED AND THEN STALLED ON THE FREEWAY. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT, BUT THANKFULLY EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO AVOID MY CAR. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY A FEW REPAIR SHOPS THAT THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE LOOSE BOLTS LIKELY DAMAGED THE ENGINES INTERNAL COMPONENTS AND I WILL LIKELY BE NEEDING A NEW ENGINE OR AN OVERHAUL OF THE EXISTING ENGINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PORSCHE OF LARCHMONT, 2500 BOSTON POST RD, LARCHMONT, NY 10538) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR ALL OF SUDDEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES. CAR IS SHOWING VARIOUS FAULT CODES AND BRAKES STOPPED WORKING WHICH COUOLD HAVE CREATED MAJOR RISK TO DRIVER AND OTHER PEDENSTRIAN AND VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. ENGINE IS SHOWING VARIOUS MIS FIRE CODES AND CAME SHAFT RELATED CODES. IT IS TOO RISKY TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY PORSCHE DEALER AND IS UP TO DATE WITH ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANNCE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND MUST BE ATTENDED IMMEDIATELY AND DRIVERS OF THIS CAR NOTIFIED ASAP TO AVAOID ANY FATALITIES AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE ENGINE STALLED AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS TO START. I EXITED THE GAS STATION ONTO THE RAMP FOR THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING 70, MPH. THERE WAS NO POWER BRAKING OR POWER STEERING AT ALL. FORTUNATELY, I REMAINED IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND MOMENTUM CARRIED THE VEHICLE OFF THE NEXT EXIT RAMP BEFORE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I HAVE HAD A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING PSM FAILURES, START/STOP MODE DEACTIVATED ERRORS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, BRAKING ISSUES, UNNECESSARY REPAIRS, TIME/ENERGY, MISSED WORK, RENTAL CARS, MISDIAGNOSES, ETC. I AM CERTAIN THE SYMPTOMS ARE CONSISTENT WITH CAMSHAFT DEFECT AFFECTING MANY OTHER CAYENNE S, TURBO, AND PANAMERA S OWNERS PER SEVERAL INTERNET FORUM DISCUSSIONS. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS. I AM DISAPPOINTMENT EARLIER NOTIFICATIONS WERE NOT ISSUED AND I HOPE THIS MATTER IS ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR DRAMATICALLY LOST POWER AND STALLED, LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO AN EXIT AND MANAGED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. HOWEVER THERE WAS AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME THAT HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID HITTING ME. I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT RAMP AND THE CAR WAS BARELY RUNNING. WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO THE DEALER (WHICH WAS ONLY 1/4 MILE AWAY) THE PROBLEM WAS THE CAMSHAFT ADJUST BOLTS ON BANK #1 SHEARED. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART AND PROBLEM WITH ALL PORSCHE V8 ENGINES FROM 2011-2012.
THE TRANSFER CASE CLUNKS AND GRINDS WHEN DRIVING TURNING AND IN REVERSE WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE DEALER SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM
PORSCHE HAS A KNOW DEFECT IN THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER SCREW FAILURE PORSCHE AS ALREADY LEAD A CAMPAIGN TO FIX THIS ISSUE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE GLOBE AND THIS FAILURE CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO HAVE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE THAT PORSCHE NOW WANTS $35,199.00 TO FIX/REPAIR. REFERENCES: HTTP://EUROPE.AUTONEWS.COM/ARTICLE/20150209/ANE/150209861/PORSCHE-WILL-RECALL-SOME-PANAMERA-CAYENNE-MODELS-IN-CHINA-ON-CAMSHAFT- HTTPS://WWW.6SPEEDONLINE.COM/FORUMS/CAYENNE-958/319690-SNAPPED-CAMSHAFT-ADJUSTER-BOLT-ENGINE-BRAKE-HYDRAULICS-FAILURE.HTML
LATE 2010 TO EARLY 2012 PORSCHE CAYENNE VEHICLES WITH V8 ENGINES HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH BOLTS THAT HOLD THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS. THE WEAK BOLTS IN QUESTION ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WHERE THEY SHEER OFF, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. IF THIS FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT SPEED, A LOSS OF POWER BRAKING AND STEERING WILL OCCUR AS A RESULT. PORSCHE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS FORCED TO RECALL ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES IN CHINA BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, BUT HAS SO FAR AVOIDED RECALLING THE AFFECTED VEHICLES IN THE US. THE NECESSARY REPAIRS INVOLVE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS WITH STEEL ONES. PORSCHE NO LONGER USES THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS IN THEIR V8 ENGINES BUILT AFTER 2012. I BELIEVE PORSCHE WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS DEFECT PROPERLY IN US CARS UNLESS AN INVESTIGATION IS LAUNCHED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A RECALL. REPAIR COSTS PER VEHICLE ARE ESTIMATED AT $3500, COMPARED TO $30,000 FOR THE COST OF A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS WEBSITES WITH USERS EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AND LIMITED REMEDIES. HERE ARE JUST A COUPLE: HTTP://TINYURL.COM/Z929BFN HTTP://TINYURL.COM/JOU52BS MY VEHICLE HAS THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS IN QUESTION BUT PORSCHE HAS SAID THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND FEEL MY CAR IS NOT AT ISSUE. I FEEL IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MY ENGINE EXPERIENCES THIS FAILURE. MY ONLY OPTIONS ARE TO EITHER MAKE THE REPAIRS AT MY COST, HOPING TO ONE DAY BE REIMBURSED, OR TO SELL THE VEHICLE. I AM HOPING BY FILING THIS INCIDENT INFORMATION, PORSCHE CAN BE PERSUADED TO CORRECT THEIR DEFECT IN THE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES SOLD IN THE US. THANK YOU.
CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER BOLTS STARTING TO BECOME LOOSE AND BACK OUT, WHICH IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON THOSE CARS, CAN LEAD TO SUDDEN UNPREDICTABLE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING, AND POTENTIALLY ACCIDENTS, ESPECIALLY WITH VERY HEAVY AND VERY FAST CAR LIKE THIS ONE. DEALER QUOTED $4000 TO FIX WITH NEW BOLTS AND ADJUSTERS. ATTACHED ARE PICTURES TAKEN WITH A BORESCOPE FROM MY ENGINE. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR THIS. ALSO ATTACHED IS QUOTE FROM DEALER.
I WAS PULLING FORWARD ON A LEVEL CITY STREET AND TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP SIGN. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SHUDDERING AND FEELING OF A LOSS OF POWER. THIS WAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS THIS HAD BEEN INCREASING IN SEVERITY BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM FOR THEM. THEY IDENTIFIED THE TRANSFER CASE AS THE ISSUE. IT WAS REPLACED. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES DUE TO THE DEALERS IDENTIFICATION THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD CAUSED DIFFERENTIAL TREAD WEAR DAMAGE TO A REAR TIRE. AS A FORMER MILITARY AVIATOR, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PORSCHE NEEDS TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE ISSUES ARE (DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, SERVICING, ETC) AND REMEDY THEM. SURPRISINGLY, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED ME THAT THEY KEEP TRANSFER CASES IN STOCK. THEY RETAIL FOR $3944, PLUS THE NEW VENT KIT (MINE DOES NOT HAVE IT) AND THEN ADD LABOR, AND TIRES IF THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. THAT IS A LOT OF EXPENSIVE INVENTORY TO HAVE ON HAND IF PORSCHE WANTS TO CLAIM THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM.
MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE -RELATED TO DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN VOLUNTARY WORKSHOP CAMPAIGN WC-22-IN THE ALUMINUM CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER BOLTS WHICH HAVE A TENDENCY TO SHEER OFF, WHICH PREVENT THE CAMSHAFTS FROM RUNNING. IF THIS OCCURS IN THE CAMSHAFT THAT OPERATES THE VACUUM PUMP, THE POWER BRAKING WILL ALSO FAIL, WHICH WILL RESULT IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO BRAKE THE CAR WITHOUT THE VACUUM POWDERED BRAKES. THE BOLTS THEMSELVES MAY ALSO DROP INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. IN MY CASE VEHICLE HAD DEALER ROUTINE SERVICE CHECK 3-4 DAYS EARLIER- EVERYTHING "PERFECT". ON DAY OF FAILURE STOPPED FOR GAS AND AFTER RESTART HEARD A NEW "TICKING" AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED DEALER WHO INSTRUCTED ME TO COME OVER. I DROVE ABOUT 3-4 MILES TO DEALER NEW PSM FAILURE AND ANOTHER I DID NOT GET WHEN CAR LOST POWER AND SEEMED TO BRAKE POORLY.. ROLLED INTO DEALER AND STILL THERE- ENGINE PULLED --MAY BE COMPLETE LOSS. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED TODAY THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS WC-22
11/10/2016 WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR RUNNING VERY ROUGH, TROUBLE STARTING. DEALER VERIFIED AND FOUND NUMEROUS FAULTS. REMOVED LEFT VALVE COVER AND FOUND SCREWS FOR CAM ADJUSTER BROKEN. REMOVED BANK 2 CAM ADJUSTER & VALVE COVER REMOVED OIL PAN TO RETRIEVE BROKEN PIECES OF SCREWS FROM ACTUATOR. REPLACED BOTH BANK 1&2 CAM ADJUSTERS. RESET CAM ADJUSTER TIMING.-DURING TEST DRIVE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH & CHECK ENG. LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSIS.-DEFECTIVE CYLINDER 2 IGNITION COIL. 6/15/2017 DEALER NOTIFIED THAT ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS LIT UP AND VEHICLE RUNNING VERY ROUGH. PROBLEM: SCORING ON CYLINDER 2. REMOVED ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. REPLACED ENGINE BLOCK , REINSTALLED COMPONENTS. REINSTALLED ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALIGNED, CALIBRATED. 7/31/2017 RECEIVED PORSCHE RECALL AH08- REPLACING FASTENING SCREWS FOR CAMSHAFT CONTROLLER. CALLED DEALER SERVICE MGR. AND ASKED IF ENGINE PROBLEMS COULD BE RELATED TO CAMSHAFT FASTENING SCREW FAILURE, SINCE CAR EXHIBITED EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUES AS NOTED IN THE RECALL LETTER. TOLD ABSOLUTELY NOT ! 8/18/2017 RETURNED CAR TO CUSTOMER AND CHARGED CUSTOMER $4000. CUSTOMER STARTED CAR, ENGINE FAILED IMMEDIATELY. DEALER RETURNED CAR TO SHOP. 9/14/2017 - CAR IS STILL AT DEALER'S WAITING FOR NEW ENGINE !
SNAPPED ALUMINUM CAMSHAFT SENSOR BOLT RESULTED IN TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY PORSCHE AG HAS RESULTED IN AN AMENDMENT IN AN EXISTING SERVICE BULLETIN (WC-22) AND ALSO A RECALL OF OVER 14000 CAYENNES AND PANAMERAS IN CHINA.
CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER BOLTS SNAPPED WHILE IN OPERATING MODE.BEING MADE OF ALUMINUM NOT STEEL AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP OPERATING. PORSCHE USA REFUSED TO COOPERATE CITING AN OUT OF WARRANTY REASON.VEHICLE ONLU HAD 84000 MILES WHEN THIS FACTORY DEFECT HAS EFFECTED THE ENGINE.
THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR BOLTS BREAK AND CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE LOSE POWER SUDDENLY AND DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL.
FAULTY CAMSHAFT BOLTS IN EARLY V8'S OF THIS GENERATION (2011 MODELS) RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND SOMETIMES BRAKES. VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD, LUCKILY WAS NOT AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS.
THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASING REPORTS OF VARIOCAM CAMSHAFT DRIVE BOLT FAILURES ON THE 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE V8 ENGINES. WHEN THESE BOLTS FAIL, ENGINE DAMAGE OCCURS, AND THE ENGINE TYPICALLY STOPS RUNNING. IN THE CASE OF THE TURBO MODEL - THIS CAN ALSO RESULT IN THE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY SINCE THE BRAKES ARE POWERED OFF A CAMSHAFT. THERE IS ALSO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING - MEANING YOU HAVE A 4,500LB VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKES OR STEERING. PORSCHE HAD A LIMITED "WORKSHOP CAMPAIGN" FOR THESE VEHICLES THAT ADDRESSED A CERTAIN RANGE OF VIN# IN THE USA. IT IS WC-22 (I'M ATTACHING A PDF OF IT.) THE FAILURES ARE NOW BEING REPORTED WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY IN VIN#'S NOT COVERED BY THIS WORKSHOP CAMPAIGN. THE CAMPAIGN INVOLVES REPLACING THE VARIOCAM ASSEMBLY WITH ONE ASSEMBLED WITH STEEL BOLTS RATHER THAN ALUMINUM BOLTS. EARLIER VERSIONS OF THIS ASSEMBLY ALSO USED STEEL BOLTS, AND THE FAILURES APPEAR LIMITED TO ONES WHERE THE ALUMINUM BOLTS WERE USED. THE MOST COMPLETE DISCUSSION ON THIS CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://WWW.6SPEEDONLINE.COM/FORUMS/CAYENNE/319690-SNAPPED-CAMSHAFT-ADJUSTER-BOLT-ENGINE-BRAKE-HYDRAULICS-FAILURE.HTML THERE ARE OTHER WEBSITES AND DISCUSSIONS ON THE SAME FAILURE. HERE IS AN ARTICLE ON THE RECALL PORSCHE DID IN CHINA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM: HTTP://EUROPE.AUTONEWS.COM/ARTICLE/20150209/ANE/150209861/PORSCHE-WILL-RECALL-SOME-PANAMERA-CAYENNE-MODELS-IN-CHINA MINE HAS NOT FAILED YET - BUT IT APPEARS TO BE JUST A MATTER OF TIME, MINE HAS THE ALUMINUM BOLTS IN THE ASSEMBLY. I WOULD ASK THAT PORSCHE EXTEND THE WORKSHOP CAMPAIGN TO ALL THE VEHICLES WITH THE ALUMINUM BOLTS USED IN THE VARIOCAM ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE OF BOTH BRAKES AND STEERING THAT OCCURS WHEN THESE BOLTS FAIL IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. IT MAKES ME HESITANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I'VE ASKED THE LOCAL DEALER ABOUT IT, AND THEY CLAIM MY VEHICLE IS NOT EFFECTED.
THE SCREWS HOLDING MY CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR FAILED AND I EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATE ENGINE LOSE AS WELL AS BRAKING LOSE DUE TO NO VACUUM. AT THE TIME OF MY ENGINE FAILURE IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR PORSCHE (SEE WC-22) WHEREAS THEY DID NOT MAKE PUBLIC AWARE OR PROACTIVELY FIX THE ISSUE. THIS ENDED UP COSTING ME APPROXIMATELY $7500 OUT OF POCKET (IN ADDITION TO SEVERAL EMOTIONAL DAMAGE DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND THE IMMEDIATE DANGER WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN THE FAR LEFT LANE). PORSCHE HAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED A RECALL (RECALL AH-08 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN 17V368000) BUT HAD NOT CONTACTED AFFECTED OWNERS YET. I'D LIKE A FULL REFUND OF MY EXPENSES PLUS INTEREST. I ALSO FEEL THEY SHOULD BE FINED OR PAY IMPACTED OWNERS LIKE MYSELF A PENALTY DUE TO THEIR IMPROPER MISHANDLING.
THE CAR STOPPED WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY SUBURBAN ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. RIGHT BEFORE THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED THE PSM LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS THE ONLY THING THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE SUDDEN STOP. THE CAR WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD AND FLAT BEDDED TO PAUL MILLER PORSCHE IN PARSIPPANY, N.J. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN(S) FOUND THAT AT LEAST ONE ALUMINUM BOLT FROM THE CAM SHAFT ADJUSTER HAD SHEARED OFF AND FELL THROUGH THE ENGINE CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR THE CAR WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASE BRAND NEW ON JUNE 15, 2011. THE CAR HAD BEEN SPECIAL ORDERED SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DELIVERY DATE. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT PORSCHE CAYENNES AND PANAMERAS MANUFACTURED DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD OUR CAR WAS MADE WERE RECALLED IN CHINA FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE-ALUMINUM CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER BOLTS SHEARING OFF INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THIS CAR WAS OUT OF THE PORSCHE 4 YEAR/50K WARRANTY PERIOD. I NOTIFIED PORSCHE NORTH AMERICA OF THIS INCIDENT AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS COVERED UNDER OUR GEICO MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN INSURANCE. GEICO SENT OUT INSPECTORS TO EXAMINE THE CAR AND DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS. WE SURRENDERED THE CAR TO GEICO AND WERE PAID WHAT THEY DEEMED THE CAR WAS WORTH. THE LAST TIME WE SAW THE CAR WAS AT PAUL MILLER PORSCHE IN PARSIPANNY, N.J. ON JULY 26TH WHEN WE EMPTIED IT OF OUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT IN THIS INCIDENT. OBVIOUSLY A CAR SUDDENLY STOPPING WHILE BEING DRIVEN IS HUGE DANGER. HAD THIS OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY OR IN FASTER TRAFFIC THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026