Most common 2009 Porsche Cayenne problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Porsche Cayenne complaints by model year
Best Cayenne years: 2022. Years to avoid: 2019, 2014, 2020, 2016, 2021. Compare all years →
2009 Porsche Cayenne 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo…
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019.
What 2009 Porsche Cayenne owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Vehicle was parked in garage. Went to use it, opened door to drivers side, dash reads ignition lock fault. Would not start, would not come out of park. Towed to dealer (after towing co. Did emergency unlock of transmission to get out of garage. Vehicle has been at Porsche dealership for a week now, told at first ignition switch was bad. Replaced and still not functioning (no start) now told control module must be replaced as it got "wet" and vehicle interior floor had gotten wet. Research on internet shows many other people have had this problem with electrical components getting wet from a defect in car.
I own a 2009 Porsche carrera convertible with pdk transmission. In stop and go traffic and car shifts into neutral for a split second or two before engaging into first gear. My car only has 4,300 miles and this problem seems to be getting worse as time goes on. Porsche told me that they are aware of the problem with no solution at this time. This situation is very dangerous when I am waiting in an intersection wanted to make a left turn and then when I finally it is clear to turn the car would shift into neutral for about a second before engaging into first gear.
Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Porsche Cayenne. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to O'Reilly's for a diagnostic test, the diagnostic report listed the mileage at 209,000; however, at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000. The dealer was not notified of the discrepancy, as per the Attorney's advice.
During normal commute to work driving, a message "check dim beam" appeared on the dashboard message board. Upon attempting to change a faulty dim beam headlamp bulb, I found headlamp harness wiring and all internal headlamp assembly wiring is cracked and crumbling and conductors are exposed and causing shorts and apparent lamp failure. Other headlamp lighting (side directional lamp) lighting flashed on and off when harness was touched, and other components of electrical system flashed and turned off and on by themselves, particularly the radio. When the suspect dim beam lamp was swapped with opposite (passenger side, the replacement lamp did not work but the suspect lamp from driver side worked on the passenger side leading me to believe the lamp assembly was suspect. Upon opening the access points on the drivers side assembly, the wiring was seen to be crumbling and unsafe. …
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2009 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated there was visible damage to the fuel tank flange, and there was a leak coming from the fuel tank. The contact stated that the OBD port provided a code and that the fuel was too lean, causing the RPM to fluctuate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for throttle body repair, but the failure persisted. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside of the vehicle emanating from the driver's side rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested the contact have the vehicle taken to an authorized dealer to be diagnosed and repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
2009 Porsche Cayenne engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 19 / 14 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 17 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Porsche Cayenne a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Cayenne rates better than average: 53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cayenne 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 2009 Porsche Cayenne?
The transmission & drivetrain — 6 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the electrical system (4) and fuel & propulsion system (4).
How many recalls does the 2009 Porsche Cayenne have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2009 Porsche Cayenne, 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2014, 2020, 2016 and 2021. See the full Porsche Cayenne years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Porsche Cayenne problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 101,000 miles; 25% 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.