Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2013 Porsche Cayenne SRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 37 owner complaints for the 2013 Porsche Cayenne S. Most complaints involve power train (16) and engine (6). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
37
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 30, 2022NHTSA 22V656000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

37 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2015 – Apr 2025
  1. Power train16
  2. Engine6
  3. Air bags4
  4. Seat belts4
  5. Fuel/propulsion system4
  6. Electrical system2
  7. Exterior lighting1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Steering1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cayenne S model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20034
20071
201151
201233
201337
201633
201711
202025
202112
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

16 reports
“The Drive train consists of an engine, transmission, transfercase, driveshafts and differentials. The Transfercase has failed prior to the normal life cycle. Porsche recognizes this problem on this series of SUV and extends the warranty for 10 years and unlimited mileage. Porsche announced this extension in June 2024. However this does not cover the early models in this series 2011-2013 with the same drivetrain and transfercase. So in effect this failure of the transfer case is not covered on 2014 - 2011 Porsche Cayenne's models with the same transfercase because Porsche delayed the notification to customers. Even though the SUV may have low mileage, they will not warranty or cover my failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2024Power trainODI 11615239

Engine

6 reports
“PURCHASED A 2013 CAYENNE PORSCHE GTS WITH 67K MILES ON IT. NOTICED A KIND OF THUMPING SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING, USUALLY APPEARING AT 3K RPMS. VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE THE FAULT AND THEY IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT IT WAS, ENGINE TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. THIS IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW ALLOWING WATER INTO THE TRANSFER CASE THAT PORSCHE IS AWARE OF AND YET TO ADDRESS. ON SOME OCCASIONS PORSCHE WILL PAY FOR THE $5K REPAIR BUT THE PART IS STILL REPLACED WITH A TRANSFER CASE WITH THE SAME FLAW. TRANSFER CASE FAILURE CAN LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSE OF POWER AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY IF SOMEONE IS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HIGHLY RECOMMEND ADDRESSING THIS WITH A RECALL FOR 2013 AND 2014 CAYENNES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSE OF POWER DUE TO TRANSFER CASE FAILURE, NEATLY RESULTING IN A HIGHWAY COLLISION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2019Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11269753

Air bags

4 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2025Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11652153
All 2013 Cayenne S problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
4.8L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 8-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cayenne S
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · All-Wheel Drive
152218$4,300504
  • Cayenne S
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Porsche Cayenne S as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7576
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Cayenne S questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Porsche Cayenne S have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Porsche Cayenne S problems?

Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (16), engine (6), air bags (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Porsche Cayenne S get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Porsche Cayenne S at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026