VehicleVerdict

2005 Porsche Cayenne S problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2005 Porsche Cayenne S — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

10

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Cayenne S years?

Cayenne S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted74 complaints2003: 4 complaints2004: 74 complaints2005: 10 complaints2006: 13 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 6 complaints2009: 0 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2024: 0 complaints
Cayenne S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cayenne S years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Porsche Cayenne S problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine440%
Speed Control220%
Electrical System110%
Fuel System110%
Body & Structure110%
Tires & Wheels110%

Does the 2005 Porsche Cayenne S have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V656000LightingAugust 30, 2022 · 222,858 units

Defect

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.

19V446000TransmissionJune 12, 2019 · 99,665 units

Defect

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.

Consequence

If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.

17V576000Fuel SystemSeptember 20, 2017 · 50,145 units

Defect

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles, 2004-2006 Cayenne vehicles, and 2006 Cayenne S "Titanium" Edition vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH10.

04V593000Seat BeltsDecember 15, 2004 · 31,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." ALL THREE REAR SEAT POSITIONS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER POSITION ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT HAVE A LOCKING FEATURE WHICH CONVERTS THE RETRACTOR FROM AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE TO AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION. THE BELT MAY DEACTIVATE THE ALR MODE WITH CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINTS.

Consequence

WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY INSTALL A CLIP IN EITHER OF THE AFFECTED REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS AND PROVIDE AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT. THE CLIPS WILL PREVENT UNWARRANTED CONVERSION FROM ALR TO ELR MODE WITH CHILD SEAT INSTALLATION. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 17, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS DRIVING A PORSCHE CAYENNE S TODAY ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY SLOWED DOWN BY AROUND 20 MILES FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. 5 MINUTES LATER, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO STALL ON HIGHWAY, WITHOUT TOO MUCH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 2, 2008

“THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THEN LUNGES FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THIS IS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. *AK *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 17, 2005

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V576000 (FUEL PUMP, GASOLINE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN NOVEMBER OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 1, 2017

“IN A PARKING LOT TRAVELING AT 7 MPH APPROX, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PSM (STABILITY MANAGEMENT) LIGHTS AND BUZZERS CAME ON. LOST ALL BRAKES ON THE CAR AND COULD NOT STOP. PUMPED THE BRAKES AND STILL NO STOPPING CAPABILITY. HAD TO HIT A POLE TO AVOID PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER CARS. DEALER DIAGNOSED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 14, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FAILING AND THE TURN SIGNALS AND SPEEDOMITOR WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE A MICROCHIP AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 3, 2011

2005 Porsche Cayenne S — common questions

Is the 2005 Porsche Cayenne S reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 Cayenne S problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (4 complaints), speed control (2 complaints), electrical system (1 complaints).

Does the 2005 Porsche Cayenne S have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Porsche Cayenne S. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Porsche Cayenne S under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Porsche Cayenne S years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cayenne S years to avoid are 2004. The cleanest record among Cayenne S years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.