Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Porsche Cayenne problems

Owners filed 40 complaints about the 2013 Porsche Cayenne with NHTSA between Mar 2015 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is power train (16).

Complaints
40
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Steering1
  11. Other / unknown9

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20151
20162
20172
20184
201913
20205
20211
20222
20230
20245
20253
20262

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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

Fuel/propulsion system

5 reports
“Engine light came on and vehicle decelerated while making a turn in traffic. Based on the owners manual and code test, it comes up as a DPF issue. We could have been seriously injured had the oncoming traffic been closer to us or had someone attempted to follow me on the turn. When the car lost power, I could not accelerate to complete my turn. The problem has been duplicated by my husband who has some mechanical expertise, but the next step would be to take it to a dealer. It is available for inspection, but it is not safe to drive. The check engine light and the glow plug lamp came on at the same time. It happened once before on the interstate coming across I-80 on the interstate. In the middle of nowhere with no cell phone service, we were able to pull over, shut off and restart the engine which cleared the code for the rest of the trip. Then it didn’t do this again for nearly two months.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11568669

Seat belts

4 reports
“Just purchased this vehicle from an independent dealer. Each time I test drove the vehicle, I put my seat belt on and after a few seconds of driving the driver's seat belt would come unlatched. Sales person told me that perhaps I wasn't latching it (false latch). After purchase, it has unlatched during my first day of driving it. I see that there are other customers complaining of the same issue on the NHTSA website.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2024Seat beltsODI 11609423

Electrical system

3 reports1 related recall
“THE DISPLAY UNIT WHICH FUNCTION THE NAVIGATION AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING AND IT KEEPS REBOOTING. AFTER DO FURTHER RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS. WITHOUT THE NAVIGATION WE ARE FORCED TO USE OUR PHONES WHICH IS A HAZARD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2019Electrical systemODI 11232505
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.