2012 Porsche Cayenne recalls and problems

The 2012 Porsche Cayenne has 4 recalls and 27 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is power train.

Pictured: a 2013 model; the 2012 may differ in details. Photo: 2013 Porsche Cayenne by FotoSleuth, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2012 compares

Average

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 23 Cayenne model years — 10th most.

4recalls

27complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

53,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

4 recalls

Exterior Lighting

Aug 30, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V656000 · 222,858 vehicles

Problem: 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. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

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.

Remedy & notes

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. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Service Brakes

Mar 23, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V169000 · 88,300 vehicles

Problem: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.

Risk: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

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. Porsche's number for this recall is AG02.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Jul 12, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V329000 · 270 vehicles

Problem: 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 a fracture occurs, vehicle performance will be decreased and the turbine shaft May fracture.

Original NHTSA wording

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 A FRACTURE OCCURS, VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DECREASED AND THE TURBINE SHAFT MAY FRACTURE.

Risk: If the shaft fractures, oil May be drawn into the exhaust system, resulting in smoke and the increased risk of a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

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.

Porsche's safety recall number is AC04.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Exterior Lighting

Feb 21, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V065000 · 20,278 vehicles

Problem: 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 come loose and detach from the fender.

Original NHTSA wording

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 COME LOOSE AND DETACH FROM THE FENDER.

Risk: A detached headlight could lead to loss of visibility and an increased risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

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.

Porsche's safety recall number is AC01.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other7

Electronic Stability Control1

Equipment1

Fuel System1

Service Brakes1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2012 vs. other Porsche Cayenne years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2012. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the 2012 Porsche Cayenne, the latest from Aug 30, 2022 (exterior lighting). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Porsche Cayenne?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention power train (12), unknown or other (7), engine (4). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.