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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2004 Porsche CayenneRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 101 owner complaints for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne. Most complaints involve power train (24) and engine (17). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
101
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$5,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · 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

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jun 12, 2019NHTSA 19V446000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 20, 2017NHTSA 17V576000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

101 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2003 – Aug 2023
  1. Power train24
  2. Engine17
  3. Fuel/propulsion system15
  4. Electrical system14
  5. Engine and engine cooling12
  6. Vehicle speed control7
  7. Tires7
  8. Air bags6
  9. Suspension6

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004101
200542
200655
200842
200915
20101
201162
201236
201340
201453
201640
201718
201813
201948
202024
202121
20224
20235
20245
20265
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

24 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting), 19V446000 (Power Train), and 17V576000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to read accurately. The headlamp wiring had been deteriorating causing the headlights to malfunction. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. Parts distributions disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2022Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, Exterior lightingODI 11491915

Engine

17 reports
“1) COOLANT PIPE PROBLEMS,PORSCHE NEVER FIX THEM ,HAD PAY TO GET THEM FIX.(2) FILTER FLANGE FUEL PUMP LEAKAGE,PROBLEMS PORSCHE SAID UNFORTUNATELY, AT THIS TIME PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.HAD IT REPAIR MY OWEN MONEY, DID NOT WANT TO CHANCE A RISK OF FIRE.(3) TRANSMISSION MODULE PROBLEMS DID NOT SHIFT RIGHT,HAD TO BUY NEW ONE.TO MANY PROBLEMS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2018Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11084484

Fuel/propulsion system

15 reports1 fire
“There is a significant smell of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was a recall on the same make, model, and year for fuel pump filter flange leaks, which are indicative of a strong smell of gas inside the car. This can potentially cause the car to start on fire. The dealer stated due to the VIN, the vehicle was not covered under the existing recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 11, 2022Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11493210
All 2004 Cayenne problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl · 4.5L 8-cyl · 4.5L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or 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 11, 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
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$5,000592
Cayenne S
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$5,350635
Cayenne Turbo
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$5,350635
  • Cayenne
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $5,000/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne S
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $5,350/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne Turbo
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L, Turbo
    12 city · 17 hwy · $5,350/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 2004 Porsche Cayenne as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1263
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

2004 Cayenne questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Porsche Cayenne have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 2004 Porsche Cayenne problems?

Owners filed 101 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (24), engine (17), fuel/propulsion system (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Porsche Cayenne get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Porsche Cayenne at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026