2011 Porsche Cayenne S problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Cayenne S years?

Cayenne S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cayenne S years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Porsche Cayenne S problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	12	60%	▲ up
Transmission	3	15%	▲ up
Brakes	2	10%	▼ down
Electrical System	1	5%	— flat
Lighting	1	5%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	1	5%	▼ down

Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S have recalls?

3 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.

17V368000EngineJune 7, 2017 · 18,005 units

Defect

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo vehicles, 2011-2012 Panamera and Panamera 4 vehicles, and 2011 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles. The affected vehicles have camshaft controllers that may come loose inside the engine, potentially resulting in an engine stall.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fastening screws for the camshaft adjusters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH08.

12V065000LightingFebruary 21, 2012 · 20,278 units

Defect

PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CAYENNE, CAYENNE S, CAYENNE S HYBRID, AND CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 8, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2012 BECAUSE THE HEADLAMPS MAY COME LOOSE AND DETACH FROM THE FENDER.

Consequence

A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP LOCKING ASSEMBLIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE COOLANT PIPE DESIGN IS FLAWED. THE BARB IS GLUED AND PRESSED IN THE ALUMINUM BODY. OVER TIME THE GLUE LOSES ITS PROPERTIES AND THE BARB COMES OUT THUS CAUSING MASSIVE COOLANT LEAK AND THE ENGINE CAN OVERHEAT. THE PART WAS REDISGNED AROUND 2015 WHERE THE BARB IS NOW THREADED, BUT THE ORIGINAL…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 27, 2019

“VEHICLE ACTS AS IF GOING OVER SPEED BUMP OVER 18MPH ALSO JERKING AND TUGGING ON YOU AS YOU ACCELERATE MAKING FOR HARD TURNING IN PARKING LOTS FEELS LIKE FRONT WHEEL IS LOCKING UP ALSO NOTICING SAFETY CONCERN WILE COMING TO STOP IN TRAFFIC UNDER ABOUT 3MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 6, 2018

“I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON A CITY STREET. I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THEN APPLIED MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PAD WOULDN'T GO DOWN, IT WAS HARD.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 26, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN EXTREME GLARE WAS REFLECTING FROM THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, OBSTRUCTING HIS VISION. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PLACE A BLANKET OVER THE DASHBOARD AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 1, 2011

“VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE ENGINE STALLED AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TWO OR THREE ATTEMPTS TO START. I EXITED THE GAS STATION ONTO THE RAMP FOR THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING 70, MPH. THERE WAS NO POWER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 9, 2017

2011 Porsche Cayenne S — common questions

Is the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2011 Cayenne S problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (12 complaints), transmission (3 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2011 compare to other Cayenne S years?

What are the most common 2011 Porsche Cayenne S problems?

Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2011 Porsche Cayenne S — common questions

Is the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S reliable?

What are the most common 2011 Cayenne S problems?

Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S have recalls?

Which Porsche Cayenne S years should you avoid?

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