Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2013 Porsche CayenneRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 40 owner complaints for the 2013 Porsche Cayenne. Most complaints involve power train (16) and engine (7). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
40
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Mar 23, 2016NHTSA 16V169000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Oct 17, 2013NHTSA 13V506000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

40 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2015 – Apr 2026
  1. Power train16
  2. Engine7
  3. Air bags6
  4. Fuel/propulsion system5
  5. Seat belts4
  6. Electrical system3
  7. Structure2
  8. Exterior lighting1
  9. Vehicle speed control1

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
201947
202024
202121
20224
20235
20245
20265
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 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

7 reports
“This vehicle qualified for the Volkswagen Emissions Recall, yet from the start of the recall through 2018 settlement lawsuit dates , no correspondence was sent (by Porsche nor VW). According to all recall regulations, my vehicle should have among the ‘recall’ with the 85K plus others, yet no correspondence was sent (by Porsche nor VW) & now the local Porsche dealership is denying in, According to all recall regulations, even still with the EPA, the vehicle was to receive an initial emissions test, then undergo all related repairs/part replacements before the issue resulted in toxic emissions, NOX sensor failures, & premature problems with the DPF system, leading to thermostat problems & the failure of the diesel turbo. Federal regs mandate that vehicle & vehicle equipment manufacturers comply with Early Warning Reporting requirements, submit to NHTSA copies of their manufacturer communications. & update all communications including warranty, policy extensions & product improvement communication sent to dealers, distributors, owners, purchasers, etc. regarding any defect, failure or malfunction beyond normal deterioration in use, failure of performance, flaw or…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11724527

Air bags

6 reports
“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 liable for this defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2026Air bags, StructureODI 11729798
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Manual 6-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 Oct 28, 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 (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162319$4,200477
Cayenne
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
152217$4,700513
  • Cayenne
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 7573
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Porsche Cayenne have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 problems?

Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (16), engine (7), air bags (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Porsche Cayenne get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Porsche Cayenne at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026