Most common 2011 Porsche Cayenne problems
Share of the 30 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 →
2011 Porsche Cayenne recalls (3)
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
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.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly circlip, installing any missing circlips, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016.
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 2011 Porsche Cayenne owners say
Engine & cooling
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V368000 (engine). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Porsche of silver spring in silver spring, maryland was made aware of the recall and stated that there was no remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. While driving 40 MPH, the throttle control failed and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the power brakes and power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to Porsche of silver spring where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft controllers failed as described in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 90,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Transmission & drivetrain
I have a 2011 model Porsche Cayenne S. From the service records, I can tell the car has had two transfer cases already replaced and is in need of another. The first transfer case was replaced in mid-2016 by the dealer at about 46,000 miles. The second transfer case was replaced just over 12,000 miles later, at 58,500 miles, in late 2019. Both replacements were done by the previous owner. This should have been the newest and most updated transfer case with the new control modules and GNC-coated plates, but this does not appear to have solved the problems Porsche is having with the transfer cases. It is now mid-2023, and an independent shop says I need another transfer case in my car at 76,000 miles. It is hard to believe that Porsche considered the upgraded parts (2018+) to be a permanent solution, especially when it only lasted about 17,000 miles. …
2011 Cayenne Turbo: Vehicle has had recent transfer case servicing. Experiencing a grinding sensation on roundabouts, and turns that almost feels as if the brake is applied. If issue continues to worsen, it could easily cause an accident as a sudden speed reduction on a roundabout, or turn may prompt unaware/inattentive drivers to rear-end me, or worse. Dealership is citing transfer case failure, however, my vehicle is one year removed from the end of the extended warranty campaign and is no longer eligible for a replacement unit.
Air bags
The original Porsche leather upper dashboard has shrunk, causing exposed staples, and rippling of the leather , including rippling and bunching of the leather that is covering the passenger dash airbag assembly. I have been informed that in the event of an accident causing airbags to deploy, the passenger airbag would likely not deploy correctly, and further injury could also occur because of exposed staples and hardware that should not be exposed. My Porsche dealer and independent dealer have both advised replacement of dash (for a very large sum of money). I have also taken the vehicle to multiple upholstery shops and all have declined to fix the problem solely due to the airbag risk/liability. This is very common issue for late model porsche full leather option dashes, and specifically Cayenne models seem to be heavily affected. …
Porsche dash material is separating from the substrate of the structure. This material is directly between the airbag and the now loose material on the surface of the dash (leather). Porsche will not repair this and recommends a replacement at an estimated $10,000 USD. There is a significant risk to safety as the now loose upper material will interfere with the deployment of the airbag on the passenger side, adding potential harm and injury to a passenger inside the vehicle.
2011 Porsche Cayenne engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged hybrid | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 20 / 24 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 22 / 19 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | AWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 15 / 22 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Porsche Cayenne a good car?
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Cayenne rates use caution: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cayenne at the same age. It is one of the Cayenne years we suggest avoiding. 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 2011 Porsche Cayenne?
The engine & cooling — 12 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (11) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2011 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 2011 Porsche Cayenne problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 28% 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.