VehicleVerdict

2011 Porsche Cayenne problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 37 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Cayenne year — the 2011 model ranks #9 of 23 Cayenne years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (32% of the total).

37

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Cayenne years?

Cayenne NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted76 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 51 complaints2005: 43 complaints2006: 55 complaints2008: 38 complaints2009: 21 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 37 complaints2012: 33 complaints2013: 55 complaints2014: 76 complaints2015: 16 complaints2016: 56 complaints2017: 22 complaints2018: 18 complaints2019: 63 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 24 complaints2022: 3 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 9 complaints2025: 13 complaints2026: 8 complaints
Cayenne NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cayenne years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Porsche Cayenne problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1232%
Transmission1130%
Other514%
Airbags38%
Electrical System13%
Lighting13%
Driver Assistance13%
Speed Control13%
Steering13%
Brakes13%

Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne 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.

16V169000BrakesMarch 23, 2016 · 88,300 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

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.

“My vehicle has camshaft and crankshaft correlation problems due to the well-known problem with its screws and other things. I reported it to Porsche and they told me that it has already been repaired but I don't understand how to fail again and deny help for its repair. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 11, 2024 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 21, 2018

“COOLANT LEAKS WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. LEAK IS DUE TO FAULTY PLASTIC THAT WAS REDESIGNED TO METAL TUBING DUE TO COMMON REPORTED ISSUES. PLASTIC TUBING CONNECTED TO COOLANT SYSTEM WILL BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACKED, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND LOST OF COOLANT. THIS ISSUE IS COMMONLY REPORTED ABOUT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 16, 2019

“The leather on my Porsche Cayenne dashboard has shrunk and is pulling away from the front of the dashboard. My mechanic tells me that this is a possible safety issue because if the vehicle is in an accident, the front passenger airbag may not deploy correctly and recommends replacing (expensive).…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 15, 2024

“2011 Porsche Cayenne S Model- Consumer is writing in reference to Porsche Recall ANB4. Requesting investigation into the rubber sealer replacements and ordering the Porsche Cars North America to redo the recall for all subjected vehicles after providing enough headlight rubber sealers to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 1, 2023

2011 Porsche Cayenne — common questions

Is the 2011 Porsche Cayenne reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 37 complaints put the 2011 model at #9 of 23 Cayenne years. It is one of the Cayenne years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Cayenne problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (12 complaints), transmission (11 complaints), other (5 complaints).

Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne have recalls?

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

Which Porsche Cayenne years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cayenne years to avoid are 2014, 2019, 2016, 2006, 2013, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2015. The cleanest record among Cayenne years belongs to 2010.

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.