2011 Porsche CAYENNE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Porsche CAYENNE has 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is engine problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: 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 . There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.
37
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
12 complaints- • 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
- • 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
- • 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.
“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 ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Porsche CAYENNE
Based on 21 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 65K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
ENGINE
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)
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Porsche CAYENNE
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Porsche CAYENNE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Porsche New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Porsche. If you're buying a used 2011 CAYENNE, 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 37 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: TRANSFER CASE ISSUE IS RESULTING IN A JERKY VEHICLE. THIS IS PART OF THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND OVER TIME WILL CAUSE WEAR IN FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIALS OF AN AWD VEHICLE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: 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
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 — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 37
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 31
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Porsche CAYENNE