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2012 Porsche Cayenne problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Porsche Cayenne has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 5safety recalls
- 36owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 1fire report
- 19%fail the UK MOT
36 complaints, against an average of 21 for the other 14 Porsche Cayenne model years.
Every Porsche Cayenne model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Porsche Cayenne?
The components named most often in the 36 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Porsche Cayenne owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 36 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2012 Porsche Cayenne been recalled?
5 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Exterior Lighting: Headlights 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.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Pedals And Linkages 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cayenne S Hybrid, and 2012 Panamera S Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 26, 2011, to August 2, 2012. The fuel injection system may leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increasea the risk of a fire.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails, free of charge. The recall began on April 17, 2015. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/Supercharger 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting: Headlights 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.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2012 Porsche Cayenne recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAARB9 Recall campaign - Re-program DME control unit
Risk: The software version of the engine control unit does not correspond to the software version that should be on the vehicle.
Fix: Review the software version of the engine control unit and if necessary update it to the correct software version.
UK DVSAImprove the engine control system in terms of nitrogen oxide emissions
Risk: Improve the engine control system in terms of nitrogen oxide emissions.
Fix: Engine control software will be updated.
UK DVSAThe data version of the engine control unit must be updated to improve the nitrogen oxide emissions
Risk: The affected vehicle may not meet prescribed emission limits.
Fix: The engine control unit must be updated in order to improve the engine control system.
UK DVSAThe selector lever cable plastic sleeve does not have the required durability and may break
Risk: The transmission selector lever plastic sleeve does not have the required durability.
Fix: Replace the plastic sleeve on the selector cable.
UK DVSABraking efficiency may be reduced
Risk: The circlip on the bearing bracket for the pedals may detach. If this occurs the brake pedal will become unsecured axially and come out of one of the two bearings leading to decreased brake functionality.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the fitment of the circlip and replaced as necessary.
UK DVSAFuel may leak - possibility of fire
Risk: Fuel may leak from the injector fuel rails. Occupants may notice a smell and though small there is a risk of fire.
Fix: Replace injector fuel rails
UK DVSAFire may occurYears estimated
Risk: The turbo chargers fitted to the affected vehicles may not be manufactured to the required standard. The result of one or both of the turbo chargers failing is rough running and lack of power. In the worst case scenario there is a possibility that fire could occur.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the turbo chargers.
UK DVSAHeadlight may detachYears estimated
Risk: If a headlight module is not locked correctly relative movements with respect to the wing can occur. In rare cases this can cause the headlight to become detached from the wing. Based on results from internal quality control checks and individual complaints Porsche has decided to incorporate measures to make the locking system more robust into standard production and they will retrofit these changes on existing models.
Fix: Affected vehicles will be recalled to have the locking mechanism on both headlights replaced.
EU Safety GateThe affected vehicles may not meet the prescribed emission limits due to a default of the data version of the engine control unit.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 13/04/2021
EU Safety GateA securing collar on the bearing block of the pedal cluster may come loose and hinder the action of the brake pedal.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Porsche Cayenne owners report?
12 of the 36 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Porsche Cayenne. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale from Facebook Market Place. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 125,383, but after performing an AutoCheck of the vehicle, it was discovered that the mileage was 205,154.
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out around passenger side airbag. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue.
I own a 2012 Porsche Cayenne. Transfer case broke at 33,000 miles and was replaced by the dealer, and now it broke again at 55,000 miles. Repair cost is $6,340 plus tax. It broke under the warranty period but Porsche gave me the runaround and told me they wouldn't check it until after some body damage was complete (more details below). Honestly feel like I'm getting gouged with faulty parts. Many other Porsche Cayenne owners seem to be reporting this problem on forums. (e.g. https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-958-2011-2018/1290994-transfer-case-failure-2.html) More details - 1. We asked the…
I HAVE A 2012 PORSCHE CAYENNE S HYBRID. IT IS SUFFERING FROM THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN: 17V36800. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE CAMSHAFT IN PLACE HAVE SHEARED OFF. PORSCHE IS REFUSING ANY TYPE OF CONSIDERATION BECAUSE THE VIN IS NOT IN THE RECALL LIST, BUT IT IS IN THE YEAR OF THE RECALL AND SUFFERS FROM THE ISSUE. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD TO CALL MY WIFE AND HAVE IT TOWED. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD COST 14K+ TO REPAIR AND THEY…
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 CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BUT COULD HAVE. DEALER ADMITS THE TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH 2011-2017 CAYENNE BUT REFUSES TO TOTALLY COVER REPLACEMENT. THIS IS MY SECOND ISSUE WITH THE TRANSFER CASE AND AFTER SOME LIGHT RESEARCH HAVE COME ACROSS MANY OWNERS WITH ANYWHERE BETWEEN 1 AND 4…
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 PERMANENTLY SOLVING THE PROBLEM AND COVERED BY A 2-YEAR WARRANTY AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $5,500 RETAIL
POWER DRIVERS SEAT MOVED FORE/AFT AND UP/DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON 10.22.2019 ON ITS OWN. MOVING DRIVER AWAY FROM CONTACT WITH EITHER BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL AND A UNNATURALLY LONG REACH TO STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER ENGAGED BUTTONS TO MOVE SEAT FORWARD, PULLED OFF TO SAFE LOCATION AND SHUT DOWN/RESTARTED CAR. PROBLEM CONTINUED UPON RESTART
HYBRID DEFAULT MULTIPLE TIMES IN PAST YEARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM? FAULT GENERATOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS UNKNOWN HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE. IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER ABRUPTLY WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON A CITY STREET WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT TRAVEL MORE THAN 20 MILES ON AUTOMATIC; UNLESS IT IS SWITCHED TO MANUAL SHIFT GEAR. THIS VEHICLE HAD SUBMITTED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND CONCLUSION WAS MADE AS THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE BATTERY FAILURE. HOWEVER, WITHIN THREE WEEKS AFTER REPAIR; THE HYBRID SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN. THE TECHNICIAN THEN RE-DETERMINED THE CAUSE AS A) FAULTY HIGH POWER VOLTAGE LINE AND COMPRESSOR, AND B) REPLACE HIGH…
GPS MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING , SERVICE TEST NO ERROR CODE BUT VISIBLE GPS MALFUNCTION ! MANUFACTURE CAN'T IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM SUGGEST TO REPLACE THE NEW PCM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVER TO BELIEVE ON THE GPS WHILE DRIVING ON IT. IT IS DESIGN FRAUD AND CARELESS OF SERVICE WHEN THE DEVICE IS MALFUNCTION AND SYSTEM CAN'T DETECT IT. CUSTOMER HAS PICTURES AND VIDEOS SUPPORT THE CLAIM. VIDEO LINK: HTTPS://DRIVE.GOOGLE.COM/OPEN?ID=0B1W2Q8JZJUB7RGZSBHNTQ0O1S1K
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 (NA) PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG APPEARED TO HAVE DEPLOYED (PROPERLY) UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED PORSCHE CAYENNE S 2012 AND I'M HAPPY ABOUT THE SUV BUT THE COMFORT ENTRY FEATURE DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND DEALER ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T OFFER ANY SOLUTION. IT WORKS SOME TIME AND IT DOESN'T OTHER TIMES. WHEN YOU SET YOUR POSITION AND SAVE THE POSITION WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE SAME KEY IT SUPPOSED SAVE ALL YOUR PREFERENCES LIKE SEAT,SIDE MIRRORS AND OTHERS BUT IT DOESN'T WORK MOSTLY...! I CHECKED IN FORUMS AND MOST OF THEM DO COMPLAIN OR THEY JUST GOT USED TO IT. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION WE PAID…
2012 Porsche Cayenne: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Porsche Cayenne reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Porsche Cayenne; the most common categories were power train (18, 50%), engine (6, 16.7%), electrical system (3, 8.3%). There are 5 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash, 1 mentions a fire.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Porsche Cayenne?
Across 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (50% of complaints), engine (16.7% of complaints), electrical system (8.3% of complaints), air bags (5.6% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (5.6% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne; the most recent (campaign 22V656000, 2022-08-30) concerns Exterior Lighting: Headlights. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne have all-wheel-drive or 4x4 problems?
9 of the 36 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne (25%) describe all-wheel-drive, 4x4 or transfer case faults. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11286672, December 2019). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2012 Porsche Cayenne stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
5 of the 36 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne (13.9%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "I have a 2012 porsche cayenne s hybrid. it is suffering from the defect described in this recall campaign: 17v36800. the bolts that hold the camshaft in place have sheared off." (NHTSA complaint 11329783, June 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2012 Porsche Cayenne?
3 of the 36 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne (8.3%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "I have a 2012 porsche cayenne s hybrid. it is suffering from the defect described in this recall campaign: 17v36800. the bolts that hold the camshaft in place have sheared off." (NHTSA complaint 11329783, June 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Cayenne
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only; combines NHTSA's entries for CAYENNE, CAYENNE GTS, CAYENNE S, CAYENNE S HYBRID and CAYENNE TURBO.