VehicleVerdict

2013 Porsche Cayenne problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 55 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Cayenne year — the 2013 model ranks #4 of 23 Cayenne years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (29% of the total).

55

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Cayenne years?

Cayenne NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 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, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cayenne years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Porsche Cayenne problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1629%
Other916%
Engine713%
Airbags611%
Fuel System59%
Seat Belts47%
Electrical System35%
Body & Structure24%
Lighting12%
Speed Control12%
Steering12%

Does the 2013 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.

13V506000Electrical SystemOctober 17, 2013 · 207 units

Defect

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cayenne and Cayenne GTS, model year 2013 Cayenne Diesel and model year 2014 Cayenne S, S Hybrid, Turbo, and Turbo S vehicles manufactured May 27, 2013, through July 10, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the calculated range of the remaining fuel displayed on the instrument cluster may be higher than the actual range. Additionally, the fuel level indicated by the fuel gauge may also be higher than actual amount in the tank.

Consequence

The fuel display inaccuracies may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software free of charge. The recall began on December 5, 2013. Owners may contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's recall number is AD03.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TRANSFER CASE FAILING 43,000 MILES. TOXIC FUMES ENTERING CABIN, VEHICLE JERKS AND AND DOES NOT FUNCTION. WIFE WAS ALMOST KILLED AS VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE WAY OF A SEMI- TRUCK. GATHERING DATA NOW TO BEGIN LEGAL PROCEEDING. THE NHTSA WILL ALSO BE NAMED IN THE LAWSUIT AS THEY ARE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 12, 2018

“Porsche dashboard leather has shrunk and now doesn’t properly cover airbag which is a major safety hazard. Porsche said they would not cover cost to replace which they quoted $9k. There are tons of reports of this happening to other Porsche cayenne owners and need to be addressed via recall ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 1, 2025

“AT 52361 MILEAGE, FOUND OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FRONT ENGINE COVER IS LEAKING AND WILL NEED TO BE RESEALED. ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED AND ALIGNMENT WILL BE NECESSARY DUE TO DISRUPTION OF SUB FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 28, 2019

“The leather dash has "shrunk" so badly and is so distorted that there is no way the passenger airbag would properly inflate in an accident. Porsche tells me that this defect is "cosmetic" and of no consequence to vehicle safety. I do not agree with this position and feel that Porsche should be…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 1, 2026

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 1, 2018

2013 Porsche Cayenne — common questions

Is the 2013 Porsche Cayenne reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 55 complaints put the 2013 model at #4 of 23 Cayenne years. It is one of the Cayenne years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Cayenne problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (16 complaints), other (9 complaints), engine (7 complaints).

Does the 2013 Porsche Cayenne have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 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.