Is the 2013 Porsche CAYENNE reliable?

The 2013 Porsche CAYENNE has 55 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Porsche CAYENNE?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (16 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (9 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Porsche CAYENNE?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, 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 2013 Porsche CAYENNE?

The 2013 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 2013 Porsche CAYENNE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 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.

2013 Porsche CAYENNE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Porsche CAYENNE has 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is transmission problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: 4 wheel drive transfer case slips when driving, ongoing factory problem, faulty design from factory offered to cover some, i feel since it is a manufacturing defect the should cover the entire cost. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

16 complaints

29%

• 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE SLIPS WHEN DRIVING, ONGOING FACTORY PROBLEM, FAULTY DESIGN FROM FACTORY OFFERED TO COVER SOME, I FEEL SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THE SHOULD COVER THE ENTIRE COST
• TRANSFER CASE FAILURE AT 43,000 MILES. KNOWN DEFECT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IF FAILS
• TRANSFER CASE FAILS VERY OFTEN. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND UNSTABLE DURING DRIVING. PORSCHE HASN'T ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON CAYENNES.

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

“4 WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE SLIPS WHEN DRIVING, ONGOING FACTORY PROBLEM, FAULTY DESIGN FROM FACTORY OFFERED TO COVER SOME, I FEEL SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THE SHOULD COVER THE ENTIRE COST”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Porsche CAYENNE

Based on 28 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 66K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 52K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 13 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 (3)

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 2013 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 2013 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 2013 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 55 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE SLIPS WHEN DRIVING, ONGOING FACTORY PROBLEM, FAULTY DESIGN FROM FACTORY OFFERED TO COVER SOME, I FEEL SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THE SHOULD COVER THE ENTIRE COST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE DOOR PANEL BECOME LOOSE AT THE EDGE OF THE GLASS. SEARCHING THROUGH INTERNET IT SEEM IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG LATE PORSCHE MODELS. IT SEEMS THE ADHESIVE DOES NOT HOLD WELL SPECIALLY IN HIGH TEMPERATURES.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH MY 2013 CAYENNE S THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED (PE13-009) BY THE NHTSA IN THE PORSCHE 911. WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE COOLANT HOSE COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE HOUSING CAUSING THE CAR TO RAPIDLY OVERHEAT WITHOUT WARNING. EXCESSIVE SMOKE FOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: The optional Leather Dashboard is peeling away from the base of the windshield. The cutout in the leather that aligns with the passenger airbag is now out of alignment and there is concern if the airbag will deploy properly in an accident.
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)