Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 20% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 17% | 12,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 13% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 6% | 42,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 18% | 37,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 21% | 39,000 miles |
| 2014 | 17 | 32% | 52,000 miles |
| 2013 | 16 | 40% | 70,000 miles |
| 2012 | 12 | 44% | 54,000 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 37% | 64,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 40% | 50,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 22% | 68,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 20% | 87,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 13% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 26% | 131,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 50% | 49,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When downshifting and just before Coming to a complete stop and vehicle lurches/surges forward even though my foot is on the brake pedal. This happens in every drive mode with or without Autostart/stop engaged. It is Significantly challenging in stop and go traffic because it's difficult to gage when the car will come to a complete stop. I have to make accommodation for the car lunging forward which is unpredictable because sometimes it's a subtle surge forward and other times I have no control or idea how far forward the car is going to move. This makes this is especially dangerous when cars are quickly changing lanes in front of me in stop and go traffic during rush hour. Emergency braking DOES not help this! I have experience this. The collision warning Went off in the car and emergency braking was engaged just at the Knick of time! …
Everytime when vehicle coming to a stop car lurches forward few feets. It just happens when car downshifts from second to first gear transmission pushes you forward few feets, You just need to be very carefull because it can push you into another vehicle or pedastrian. Porsche is aware of it and have a software update in Europe only but not in USA
While driving my 2019 Porsche Cayenne S on the freeway, the check-engine light came on, followed by a message on the dashboard that read "Engine Control fault - Driving permitted - Visit workshop." Moments later, the vehicle suddenly lost power and decelerated from about ~75 mph to around 55 mph, even though my foot was still on the accelerator. I am [redacted] pregnant and had our [redacted] child in the car at the time. The unexpected loss of speed in fast-moving traffic was frightening. I had to quickly change lanes to reach the slower lane and avoid being hit by other vehicles. After reaching safety, I drove the car to an authorized Porsche dealership, where technicians found an active water-pump leak with coolant entering the vacuum system, which may have caused turbocharger and engine-power failure. This is after I replaced the water pump last year at another porsche dealership. …
The hybrid cooling system on my 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid repeatedly displayed a red dashboard warning while the vehicle was in motion: "Hybrid coolant level too low / Park vehicle safely / Let vehicle cool down." This warning appeared on multiple occasions at speeds of approximately 22 mph, 38-40 mph, and 47 mph, as documented in timestamped photos and videos taken in November 2025. A separate warning in July 2025 read: "Engine cannot be started / Remove charger plug." The warnings indicate a potential thermal management or hybrid cooling system failure. A moving vehicle being instructed to park and cool down presents a safety risk to the driver and others, particularly if the condition causes sudden power loss or thermal event. The vehicle was serviced at an authorized Porsche dealer in 2025. …
When slowing almost to a stop, and then need to accelerate, such as slowing for a yield sign, then trying to merge, vehicle is non responsive to throttle input for at least a second, or more. This has put me and others at risk because I assume I'm going to be able to accelerate when pull into traffic and am not able to. The dealer has had the vehicle but was unable to reproduce. It does not always do it, there's some combination of engine, drivetrain or fuel management it's in that does this. I have disabled start/stop mode. There are no system messages or OBD errors. The dealer has said that others have experienced this and the manufacturer has told them it's "normal". It's a safety problem and I'm seeking help in getting the manufacturer to fix it. Note, I sent the attached letter to manufacturer and did not receive a reply. …
While driving vehicle, noticed some slippage/clunking when turning. Took vehicle to Porsche dealer, they said transfer case needed to be replaced. Car has 12,600 original miles on it. Dealer said there was an extended warranty on the transfer case that had expired. In researching, it became obvious that there is a Porsche design problem that affected several model years for the Cayenne. As a mechanical engineer I am concerned that a transfer case failure at freeway speeds could be dangerous. Separately an auto mechanic shop opined that driving without replacing could be a safety concern. In my opinion there should have been a recall rather than a extended warranty.
My Porsche Cayenne diesel has had the Porsche diesel emissions settlement program "fix" completed. Since the "fix" the vehicle has become dangerous to drive in certain situations. When merging, turning a slow speed corner or rolling through a yield sign there is a significant lag/delay from the time the throttle input happens and a response from the motor. This delay has been as long as 2 seconds leading to numerous near misses. Porsche has insisted the vehicle is fine and refuses to do anything about it. On mar 16, 2018, at 04:28 pm, "([redacted])(pcna, cr_ext)" <([redacted])@Porsche.us> wrote: good afternoon mr. (x), I am sorry to learn of your dissatisfaction with your vehicle. In accordance with the epa/carb approved emissions modification, the shifting behavior has been adjusted. Additionally, the enhanced automatic engine braking feature has been removed. …
Porsche cars north America as part of the epa/carb settlement modified the 2015 Cayenne in a manner to comply with the original emissions requirements. The modification has significantly affected performance I such a way that the vehicle is now dangerous in certain situations. When merging onto highways or attempting to overtake there is a significant lack of response to throttle input leading to near misses by other vehicles. This has become more pronounced as the modifications have had time to adapt over time. Porsche has continued to deny an issue and states the vehicle is operating as designed after the modification. This sums up our experience with this vehicle, it is to the point that it is unsafe and dangerous to drive
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020 Cayenne vehicles. An insufficient weld on a transmission oil pipe may cause the vehicle to leak automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil pipe and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Certain sport utility vehicles May have had a transfer case installed that could, due to changes in the housing casting, result in the oil pump rotation. Should this occur, oil starvation of the internal gears might result.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transfer case housing and, if necessary, replace the transfer case. Owner notification began on May 3, 2004. Owners should contact Porsche at 1-800-545-8039.
Frequently asked questions
Which Porsche Cayenne years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (17), 2013 (16), 2012 (12), 2011 (11) and 2004 (10) model years. Transmission complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Porsche Cayenne transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 20V-271 (cooling unit and lines, May 13, 2020); 19V-446 (gear position indication (prndl), Jun 12, 2019); 04V-071 (automatic transmission, Feb 18, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Porsche Cayenne transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the driveline › driveshaft (5 mentions), followed by the driveline (1).
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.