2013 Porsche CAYENNE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Porsche CAYENNE has 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 80. 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.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

OTHER

9 complaints

16%

• 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.
• THERE IS COMMON PROBLEM! THE ENGINE CHAIN RATTLING SOUND WHEN ENGINE STARTS VEHICLE DEVELOPED PROBLEM AFTER SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE JERKS AND DOES NOT GO SMOOTHLY ON LOW RMP 1500. THE SECOND HAND ON THE CLOCK FALLS DOWN.
• WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS AND CATCHES. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON A HIGHWAY OR SHOULD YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID A COLLISION. MY VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 23,600 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE

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

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

7 complaints

13%

• 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
• THE PORSCHE CAYENNE DIESEL IS DESIGNED TO NOT RESTART WHEN THE ADBLUE EXHAUST CHEMICAL IS TOO LOW. THIS SEEMS REASONABLE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS ALSO DESIGNED TO NOT RESTART WHEN THE ADBLUE REACHES A LOW POINT, EVEN WHEN IT IS REFILLED TO FULL CAPACITY. ACCORDING TO PORSCHE THE VEHICLE MUST BE BROU
• THERE IS COMMON PROBLEM! THE ENGINE CHAIN RATTLING SOUND WHEN ENGINE STARTS VEHICLE DEVELOPED PROBLEM AFTER SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE JERKS AND DOES NOT GO SMOOTHLY ON LOW RMP 1500. THE SECOND HAND ON THE CLOCK FALLS DOWN.

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

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

6 complaints

11%

• 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.
• Porsche Cayenne dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. The airbag in the dashboard may not deploy properly in the event when there is an accident. Porsche dealer recommended the dashboard to be replaced. Many vehicles have this issue after warranty is out
• Leather dashboard cover is separating from the dashboard with staples being pulled up. I am concerned the airbag in the dash may deploy improperly and/or dangerously.

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

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

5 complaints

• THERE IS COMMON PROBLEM! THE ENGINE CHAIN RATTLING SOUND WHEN ENGINE STARTS VEHICLE DEVELOPED PROBLEM AFTER SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE JERKS AND DOES NOT GO SMOOTHLY ON LOW RMP 1500. THE SECOND HAND ON THE CLOCK FALLS DOWN.
• VEHCILE IS SHOWING FAULTY FUEL GAUGE AND SUSPENSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
• FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION,ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON,THE VEHICLE THEN HESITATED AND JERKS WHEN I DRIVE IT IN MOTION.

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

“THERE IS COMMON PROBLEM! THE ENGINE CHAIN RATTLING SOUND WHEN ENGINE STARTS VEHICLE DEVELOPED PROBLEM AFTER SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE JERKS AND DOES NOT GO SMOOTHLY ON LOW RMP 1500. THE SECOND HAND ON THE CLOCK FALLS DOWN.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)