Is the 2012 Porsche CAYENNE reliable?

The 2012 Porsche CAYENNE has 33 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Porsche CAYENNE?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (12 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (8 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Porsche CAYENNE?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Contact any Porsche dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Porsche CAYENNE?

The 2012 Porsche CAYENNE gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Porsche CAYENNE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Porsche CAYENNE is approximately $2,079/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Porsche CAYENNE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Porsche CAYENNE has 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is transmission problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: porsche cayenne 2012. has transmission casing issues and they are not recalling it! had transmission casing replaced with unmodified part and in less that 25k its broken again. worry about my safety on the road as im traveling with kids and elderly a lot. they covered first emplacement as the vehi. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

12 complaints

36%

• PORSCHE CAYENNE 2012. HAS TRANSMISSION CASING ISSUES AND THEY ARE NOT RECALLING IT! HAD TRANSMISSION CASING REPLACED WITH UNMODIFIED PART AND IN LESS THAT 25K ITS BROKEN AGAIN. WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY ON THE ROAD AS IM TRAVELING WITH KIDS AND ELDERLY A LOT. THEY COVERED FIRST EMPLACEMENT AS THE VEHI
• CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER BOLTS FAILED... VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, INCLUDING BRAKING SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING. PORSCHE RECALLED SOME 2011S, BUT NO 2012 WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE KEPT THE FAULTY PARTS WHICH MATCH PART NUMBER WITH KNOWN DEFECT. PORSCHE WOULD NOT HONOR GOODWILL OR AN
• CAR HAD A SKIPPING FEELING WHEN DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 20,000 MILES AND TRANSFER BOX HAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY CHARGED ME 4660.47 FOR THE REPLACEMENT CLAIMING THE FIVE YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED AND USED DURING THE WINTER. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO PORSCH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“PORSCHE CAYENNE 2012. HAS TRANSMISSION CASING ISSUES AND THEY ARE NOT RECALLING IT! HAD TRANSMISSION CASING REPLACED WITH UNMODIFIED PART AND IN LESS THAT 25K ITS BROKEN AGAIN. WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY ON THE ROAD AS IM TRAVELING WITH KIDS AND ELDERLY A LOT. THEY COVERED FIRST EMPLACEMENT AS THE VEHI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Porsche CAYENNE

Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 48K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 1K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Later than typicalmedian 54K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (4)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES23/03/2016

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 2012 Porsche CAYENNE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/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

Show:

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 2012 Porsche CAYENNE

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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,079

Full coverage / month

$173

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+24%

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 age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$2079

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 2012 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 33 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: PORSCHE CAYENNE 2012. HAS TRANSMISSION CASING ISSUES AND THEY ARE NOT RECALLING IT! HAD TRANSMISSION CASING REPLACED WITH UNMODIFIED PART AND IN LESS THAT 25K ITS BROKEN AGAIN. WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY ON THE ROAD AS IM TRAVELING WITH KIDS AND ELDERLY A LOT. THEY COVERED FIRST EMPLACEMENT AS THE VEHI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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 POSITIO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE ENGINE OF MY PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO WAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE TURNING LEFT ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY. THE OPPOSITE CAR HAD TO VEERED OFF TO AVOID COLLISION. THE CAR KEPT MOVING FORWARD UNTIL IT HIT THE CURB. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: 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 POSITIO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Porsche dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)