Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Porsche Cayenne problems
Owners filed 42 complaints about the 2005 Porsche Cayenne with NHTSA between Dec 2004 and Oct 2025. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (11).
Complaints
42
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel/propulsion system11
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Fuel system, gasoline6
- Power train4
- Electrical system4
- Air bags4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Engine2
- Structure2
- Suspension1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Tires1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
3
1
3
2
0
0
6
1
1
1
0
1
1
11
3
1
0
3
0
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Fuel/propulsion system
11 reports1 fire
“We purchased the 2005 Porsche Cayenne from my brother-in-law in August of 2022. He had owned the vehicle for at least a year before I purchased it from him. Shortly after the purchase, I noticed the engine light came on. On 09/12/22 a strong smell of fuel was emitting from the vehicle in a Walmart parking lot in Denton, Texas at approximately 1030pm. I noticed a large puddle of gasoline on the ground under the vehicle and it was steady stream of fuel while the vehicle was running. The vehicle was completely unsafe to drive for fear of ignition and fire. Due to the time and location, I had the vehicle towed to my mechanic approximately 3 miles away for diagnosis and/or repair. The closest Porsche dealership was approximately 25 miles away and the tow bill would have been excessive. Mechanic identified the problem as a cracked fuel filter flange/housing that sat on top of the fuel pump. The cracked fuel housing was replaced and the total for parts and labor was $462.48. No leaking fuel since repair. A few weeks later my brother-in -law contacted me and advised he had just received a recall (OCTOBER 2022) in the mail from Porsche for the exact part I had repaired…”
Engine and engine cooling
10 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR PIPE WAS FRACTURED, CAUSING ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ORIGINAL HOSE LINES WERE REPLACED WITH METAL LINES DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,800.”
Fuel system, gasoline
6 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2005 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. There was an abnormal fuel odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V576000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact replaced the fuel filter and repaired the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that parts were on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 157,290.”
Power train
4 reports1 related recall
“The transmission has quite a bit of slop or play when placing it in park. I do not believe it could be parked safely in a residential driveway. Tranny knocks a little in low gears.”
Electrical system
4 reports1 fire
“GOOGLE: CAYENNE WET FLOOR. ALL CAYENNE HAVE ISSUE WITH POOR WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE WEBSITES. MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE BEFORE I PARKED IT, THEN WHEN I TRY TO START IT, I GOT AN ERROR ON THE INFO DISPLAY IN RED: IGNITION LOCK FAULT, ABS BRAKE PROPORTIONING. NO CRANK FROM THE BATTERY, TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN PARK. SO I GOOGLED IT AND FOUND MANY OWNERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD REPORTING THIS ISSUE. THE DRAINAGE UNDER THE WINDSHIELD CAN GET BLOCKED EASILY WITH DEBRIS, AND CAUSE WATER TO OVERFLOW INSIDE THE CABIN AND OR ELECTRICAL MODULES LOCATED IN THE WINDSHIELD COWL AREA. ON THE DRIVER SIDE AS PER VIDEO, I REMOVED THE RUBBER CARPET AND FORCED LIFTED THE PERMANENT CARPET, AND FOUND POOL OF WATER UNDERNEATH, ON THE METAL FLOOR WAS A BUNCH OF WIRES CONNECTING TO THE CAR BATTERY UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT WERE ALL UNDER WATER. I STARTED EMPTYING BUT MORE WATER KEPT COMING, FOAMS, RUBBERS WERE ALL SOAKED. ACCORDING TO THE FORUMS AFTER REMOVING ALL WATER, I NEEDED TO LOCATE 3 SET OF WIRES AMONGST THE BUNCH, THESE 3 ARE JOINED BY TWISTING AND WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE/GAUGE FROM THE FACTORY. THESE WIRES SINCE EXPOSED ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION. 1 SET OF WIRE…”
Air bags
4 reports1 crash
“I NOTICED A RECALL ON YOUR SITE FOR MY VIN # BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN REACHED BY PORSCHE TO FIX. I'M UNSURE IF THIS HAS BEEN THE CULPRIT OF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED ON MY DASH.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.