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2017 Porsche Cayenne problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2017 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.
- 2safety recalls
- 20owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 0fire reports
- 13%fail the UK MOT
20 complaints, against an average of 22 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 2017 Porsche Cayenne?
The components named most often in the 20 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2017 Porsche Cayenne owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 20 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2017 Porsche Cayenne been recalled?
2 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.
Equipment Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid Platinum Edition, Macan Turbo and Macan GTS vehicles, 2017-2018 Cayenne S, Macan, Cayenne Platinum Edition and Macan S vehicles and 2018 Cayenne vehicles equipped with the optional ski bag. The ski bag fastening strap may have been sewn with incorrect thread, possibly resulting in the strap seams tearing and the ski bag being unsecured in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the ski bag detaches during a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ski bags, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AJ12.
Is the 2017 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 DVSAARC2 Recall campaign - Re-programming 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 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 DVSAARC1 Recall campaign - Re-programming 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 DVSAScrews securing steering column to steering gear don't meet specifications
Risk: The screws securing the steering column to the steering gear may not meet the required specifications on affected vehicles.
Fix: The steering column screws must be replaced.
UK DVSAThe vehicle may not meet the prescribed emission limits
Risk: The affected vehicle may not meet prescribed emission limits.
Fix: The engine and transmission control units must be updated
UK DVSAThe tightness of the quick connector of the fuel supply line may not be ensured
Risk: The tightness of the quick connector of the fuel supply line may not be ensured.
Fix: The fuel supply line in the engine compartment has to be replaced.
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 DVSADue to faulty software the display logic of the brake wear indicator is not fulfilled sufficiently
Risk: The required display logic of the brake wear indicator is incorrect.
Fix: The instrument cluster must be re-programmed with updated software.
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 DVSAMissing assignment within the software of the instrument cluster
Risk: Brake pad wear warning light function is incorrect.
Fix: Update software of instrument cluster.
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: 12/04/2021
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 GateThe screwed junction of the steering column at the level of the steering unit may be defective due to a production error.As a result, the steering column may detach from the steering unit and cause a failure of the steering system, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not meet the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
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: 14/07/2021
EU Safety GateFuel leakage may in certain circumstances occur because of a weak component of the quick-connect fitting on the fuel line.This may give rise to a risk of fire if an ignition source is present.
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
EU Safety GateThe retaining straps on the vehicle's ski bag may be defective.The ski bag may not stay in position when subjected to a high load.
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
EU Safety GateThe belt buckles on the central rear seat are defective.This increases the risk of injury for occupants.
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 2017 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 2017, 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 2017 Porsche Cayenne owners report?
12 of the 20 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.
The contact owns a 2017 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated the vehicle experiencing a catastrophic powertrain and electrical failure. The vehicle experienced severe thermal overloading behind the dashboard, and the radio head unit was excessively hot causing chrome trim around the screen to melt. The CAN bus was corrupted, causing the instrument cluster to display inaccurate information including 30 PSI and information that there were wheels on the vehicle. Additionally, the PCM malfunctioned and ceased Bluetooth connectivity and displayed system status logs indicating up to 7 drivers. The…
The RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT has experienced recurring water/moisture intrusion and has now completely failed and no longer illuminates. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle has substantially reduced forward illumination for nighttime driving. On September 23, 2024, an authorized Porsche dealer performed headlight-related warranty work. The dealer’s repair record states that both headlights were removed and the modules were swapped side-to-side during diagnosis. On September 30, only seven days later, I photographed substantial condensation/water inside the right front headlight. On…
The contact owns a 2017 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that the vehicle was hacked. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's assistance safety features malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to swerve despite the driver's efforts to drive straight. Infotainment settings confirmed that the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) system was engaged. Additionally, the message "External Usage External Equipment External Drivers remove the features" was displayed, and the cruise control was unintentionally engaged with messages for "Trailer," "Slippery Changing Max…
Case Number: 1170739 – Additional Evidence Submission I would like to provide an additional document for Case #1170739. The manufacturer (Porsche Cars North America) stated in writing that the vehicle is “safe to drive even with warning indicators illuminated,” but in the same communication offered a rental vehicle if I found this “inconvenient.” These two statements cannot logically coexist, and they raise concerns that the manufacturer may be minimizing or mischaracterizing a potential safety-related defect. Furthermore: The warning indicators involve the coolant and fuel systems of an…
I am reporting a series of safety-related defects involving the electrical, cooling, and fuel systems of my 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid. The vehicle was initially brought to the authorized Porsche dealership due to an electrical system error, and the dealer kept the vehicle for an extended period. After approximately five months, the vehicle was returned to me without a clear explanation of the root cause or details of the repair. The very next day after receiving the vehicle, a coolant temperature warning appeared while driving, indicating abnormal engine overheating. This created an…
Check left rear light warning light came up. Took car to mechanic when the light housing was removed it broke into pieces. Mechanic stated 2 others in the past month had the same issue. Issue comes from heat and improper shielding makes the housing britle. Car has 19k miles only. Over $1500 to repair.
the piece of leather trim sit on top of dash panel below the windshield that cover the airbag shrink and peel off the main dash. The passenger air bag might not deploy properly in the event of frontal collisions because of a loose piece of leather cover it.
Passenger side dash board leather cover has pulled away from dash - thus creating a safety issue with the airbag. Porsche has examined the damage and recommended a repair but will not cover the cost - but did advise that in the event of a accident - they do see a potential problem with the passenger side air bag deploying safely (or not at all). There should be a recall on this by Porsche as it's a safetly issue.
Broken and loosened timing chain cover bolts resulting in leaking oil onto drive components, belts and tires/brakes. This recall was done for the Macan and not the Cayenne. Ours was covered under factory extended warranty. That said, this is criminal. Porsche needs to be investigated, they refuse to recall their vehicles and we all know there are some manufaturing issues that are 100% the factory's fault. If the NTSB refuses to hold their feet to the fire this type of engineering will continue.
The contact owns a 2017 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of a road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated; however, the contact had been hearing an abnormal rattle and knocking sound from under the floorboard. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the bolts from the transfer case had loosened, and the case had separated from the drive shaft. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was…
OVERNIGHT FUEL PRESSURE LOSS RESULTS IN EXTENDED CRANK CYCLE. DESPITE 6 SERVICE VISITS BETWEEN TWO CHICAGOLAND AREA PORSCHE DEALERSHIPS, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SATISFACTORILY REPAIRED. FUEL PRESSURE LOSS WAS CONFIRMED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY THE SEMERSKY'S PORSCHE EXCHANGE IN HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS. FUEL PUMPS WERE APPARENTLY REPLACED, THE LAST TIME DAMAGING THE SEAT CLIPS UNDER THE SECOND ROW BENCH SEAT. FUEL PRESSURE LOSS HAS SLOWED, BUT STILL OCCURS WHEN FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN 3/4 EMPTY. THIS VEHICLE IS COVERED BY MANUFACTURER WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM BECAME APPARENT AT 24K MILES.
ACC/ PAS UNAVAILABLE WARNING: APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN SARASOTA, FL THE PAS SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED MY VEHICLE WITHOUT REASON. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE "ACC/PAS IS UNAVAILABLE" WARNING HAS APPEARED ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, A VEHICLE TO MY LEFT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO MY LANE OF TRAFFIC WHILE WE WERE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET. I ATTEMPTED TO HONK MY HORN (WHICH FAILED MAKING AN AUDIBLE SOUND) AND SWERVED TO PREVENT THIS IMPENDING COLLISION. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ALSO…
2017 Porsche Cayenne: questions owners ask
Is the 2017 Porsche Cayenne reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Porsche Cayenne; the most common categories were electrical system (8, 40%), exterior lighting (5, 25%), engine (4, 20%). There are 2 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Porsche Cayenne?
Across 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (40% of complaints), exterior lighting (25% of complaints), engine (20% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (15% of complaints), air bags (10% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2017 Porsche Cayenne have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 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.
Why does my 2017 Porsche Cayenne stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
3 of the 20 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Porsche Cayenne (15%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "I am reporting a series of safety-related defects involving the electrical, cooling, and fuel systems of my 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid." (NHTSA complaint 11703739, December 2025). 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 do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2017 Porsche Cayenne?
3 of the 20 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Porsche Cayenne (15%) describe headlights, taillights or brake lights failing or condensation in the lamps. A related recall exists: campaign 22V656000 (exterior lighting: headlights). The fix: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. One owner wrote: "During rain events, headlight housings are becoming inundated with moisture (L and R sides). A quick search on multiple forums shows this is a known issue with all Porsche models. During night driving this issue reduces visibility significantly." (NHTSA complaint 11689861, September 2025). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 2017 only; combines NHTSA's entries for CAYENNE, CAYENNE DIESEL, CAYENNE DIESEL PLATINUM, CAYENNE GTS, CAYENNE PLATINUM, CAYENNE S, CAYENNE S E-HYBRID, CAYENNE S E-HYBRID PLATINUM, CAYENNE TURBO and CAYENNE TURBO S.