Most common 2012 Porsche Cayenne S problems
Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Porsche Cayenne S complaints by model year
Best Cayenne S years: 2003, 2008. Years to avoid: 2004, 2011. Compare all years →
2012 Porsche Cayenne S recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Porsche is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 cayenne, cayenne s, cayenne s hybrid, and cayenne turbo vehicles manufactured from March 8, 2010, through January 31, 2012 because the headlamps May come loose and detach from the fender.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp locking assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall began on March 9, 2012. Owners May contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243.
What 2012 Porsche Cayenne S owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
The Porsche dealer informed me the bumping noise while accelerating is the transfer case. It is a common problem on all 2012 Cayenne cars. The transfer case will make the bumping noise when accelerating. It will eventually slip to the dangerous point. This is when you accelerate into traffic and the transfer case only slips and leaves the sitting in traffic unable to move. The repair is $5000 and replaces the transfer case. The new transfer case corrects the design flaw. The flaw was in the transfer case vents that would allow water to build up in the case. The new case comes with vent tubes installed so the case can vent properly and water doesn't build up in the transfer case fluid. It is a shame that this problem happens between 30,000 and 80,000 miles. If I pay $60, 000 -$100,000 for a car I would expect to get past 100,000 miles before a major repair. …
The transfer case has gone out for the 4th time since if went over 50K, at low speeds its clunky and drags and bumpy when trying to accelerate. I found other individuals having the same problem mutli times as myself and this is not cheap to fix. The dealer knows this is a problem but will not help with cost
2012 Porsche Cayenne S engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S a good car?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Cayenne S rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Cayenne S at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S?
The transmission & drivetrain — 5 complaints, 83% of all complaints for this model year. Next is the engine & cooling (1).
How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S, the most recent from August 30, 2022 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Porsche Cayenne S?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004 and 2011. See the full Porsche Cayenne S years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Porsche Cayenne S problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.