Problems · by component
2011 Porsche Cayenne engine problems
33 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Porsche Cayenne cite engine, 53% of all 62 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
33
53% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. Additionally, while driving, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, and the brake pedal was firm while depressed. The vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. The traction control, check engine, oil pressure, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side camshaft controller and bolts had failed. The dealer determined that both the driver's and passenger's side camshaft controllers and bolts needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the camshaft adjusters and bolts under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V368000 (Engine) associated with the VIN; however, the contact was not satisfied with the remedy for the recall. The contact stated that the dealer failed to recover all the failed bolts inside the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 131,046.”
“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.”
“THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ON THE TIMING COVER ARE BROKEN CAUSING AN OIL LEAK. IF THE ALL BOLTS ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM THEN WHAT ABOUT THE TRANSFER CASE? I'VE HEARD ABOUT NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF BOLTS BREAKING EITHER BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BOLTS AND THE MAGNESIUM IN THE MOTOR. IT HAS OCCURRED ON OTHER MODELS OF PORSCHES. PORSCHE SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ON ALL PARTS.”
“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 2011 CAYANNE WITH A DEALERSHIP COST OF UP TO $4500.”
“THE COOLANT PIPE DESIGN IS FLAWED. THE BARB IS GLUED AND PRESSED IN THE ALUMINUM BODY. OVER TIME THE GLUE LOSES ITS PROPERTIES AND THE BARB COMES OUT THUS CAUSING MASSIVE COOLANT LEAK AND THE ENGINE CAN OVERHEAT. THE PART WAS REDISGNED AROUND 2015 WHERE THE BARB IS NOW THREADED, BUT THE ORIGINAL PART IS A SAFEY HAZARD FOR THE OLDER MODELS WITH POTENTIAL HUGE REPAIR COSTS.”
“2011 PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CAMSHAFT CONTROLLER SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER HAD REPAIR DONE PRIOR TO RECALL AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *LD *JS”
Showing 6 of 33 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.