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Porsche

2011 Porsche CAYENNE S

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Porsche CAYENNE S has 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 20. The most common issue is engine problems (60% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 porsche cayenne s. the contact stated that when he started the vehicle, the engine and stability warning lights illuminated as the vehicle began to shake violently. the dealer was notified of the failure but stated that they had no availability to repair the vehicle. the. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

20

Total Complaints

3

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

ENGINE

12 complaints
60%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE AND STABILITY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT THEY HAD NO AVAILABILITY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE
  • • ON FREEWAY 65-70 MPH WHEN PSM FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOS OF POWER JUST MADE OFF FREE WITH CHUGGING AND TO A STOP . TOWED TO DEALER ON A SUNDAY 8/2/15 MONDAY CALL ALUMINUM BOLTS IN VALVE ADJUSTERS ? CAN DAMAGE OR DID THE ENGINE . NO RECALLS ON THEM AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM .
  • • WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN A REMOTE NATIONAL PARK, THE TUBING THAT RETURNS COOLANT TO THE ENGINE BLOCK FROM THE RADIATOR ON MY 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S COMPLETELY BLEW APART. THIS ALUMINUM TO ALUMINUM TUBING CONNECTION APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN HELD TOGETHER EXCLUSIVELY BY A THIN, INCOMPLETE RING OF EPO
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE AND STABILITY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT THEY HAD NO AVAILABILITY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Porsche CAYENNE S

Based on 20 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 71K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
2
30-60K
5
60-100K
8
100-150K
5
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 61K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
5
60-100K
5
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

ENGINE07/06/2017

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo vehicles, 2011-2012 Panamera and Panamera 4 vehicles, and 2011 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles. The affected vehicles have camshaft controllers that may come loose inside the engine, potentially resulting in an engine stall.

Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fastening screws for the camshaft adjusters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH08.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Porsche CAYENNE S

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,667
Per month
$222
Per mile
22.2¢
MPG
18
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,001/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Porsche CAYENNE S

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,921
Full coverage / month
$160
Liability only / year
$732
vs US avg
+15%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1921

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Porsche New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
12 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

These are the terms for a new Porsche. If you're buying a used 2011 CAYENNE S, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Porsche dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 20 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE AND STABILITY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT THEY HAD NO AVAILABILITY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: 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 DE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    BRAKES: 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 BRAK

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    VISIBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN EXTREME GLARE WAS REFLECTING FROM THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, OBSTRUCTING HIS VISION. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PLACE A BLANKET OVER THE DASHBOARD AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MAD

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Porsche dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Porsche CAYENNE S — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2012
6Above Average
2011
20Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
20
Recalls
3
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
20

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Porsche CAYENNE S

Compare With

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