Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2011 Porsche Cayenne, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine12
- Power train11
- Unknown or other5
- Air bags3
- Electrical system1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Steering1
- Service brakes1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Exterior lighting1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 2011 Cayenne vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 0 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2011 Porsche Cayenne failed the safety check 1.65% of the time — 34% less often than the average 2011 passenger car (2.49%). Median odometer at inspection: 105,954 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2011
3,906 new Porsche Cayenne cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2011; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (1,995), Spain (1,181), Germany (300).
- Average mass
- 2,160 kg
- Average power
- 218 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 69% · Petrol 31%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2011 Porsche Cayenne cars on Dutch roads are the 4.8 petrol (294 kW, 394 hp), 4.8 petrol (368 kW, 493 hp) and 3.6 petrol (220 kW, 295 hp), out of 6 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4.8 petrol | 294 kW 394 hp | 132 |
| 4.8 petrol | 368 kW 493 hp | 82 |
| 3.6 petrol | 220 kW 295 hp | 58 |
| 3.0 diesel | 176 kW 236 hp | 51 |
| 3.0 diesel | 180 kW 241 hp | 46 |
| 3.0 hybrid | 245 kW 329 hp | 34 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
412 first registered in 2011 are on Dutch roads; 70% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €127,057.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde173
- Band onvoldoende profiel132
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen88
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm86
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld60
- Waarschuwingsinrichting controlesysteem bandenspanning geeft48
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt43
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage40
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,123 cars built in 2011 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 141 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,244 of these cars first registered in 2011 took their annual MOT test. 83% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2011 the figure was 63%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.1% | 7.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.9% | 16.0% |
| Suspension | 4.3% | 14.1% |
| Brakes | 3.1% | 8.6% |
| Visibility | 2.0% | 5.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.6% | 3.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
129 2011 cars are on the New Zealand register; 28% arrived as used imports, 67% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Porsche Cayenne SUV AWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 12.5–13.6 L/100 km (about 17–19 mpg US), CO₂ 288–313 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cayenne · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 14.5 | 10.2 | 12.5 |
| Cayenne · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 15.7 | 11.0 | 13.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne.
| 2022487 31 Aug 2022 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, covers were not installed over the horizontal headlamp adjusters. As a result, the headlamps may be adjusted horizontally. Canadia… |
| 2019192 18 Apr 2019 | Label Issue: Certain wheels were made without a marking that is required by Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: This small error does not affect safety. Co… |
| 2016131 23 Mar 2016 | Brakes On certain vehicles, a circlip at the brake pedal hinge may not have been installed at the time of assembly. This could allow the pivot pin to move out of posit… |
| 2012070 22 Feb 2012 | Lights And Instruments On certain vehicles, the headlamp assemblies may not have been secured correctly during vehicle assembly. As a result, the headlamps could loosen and detach fr… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Porsche told its dealers about the 2011 Porsche Cayenne: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011666 | Parts information with parts withdrawal involving the hydro-mounting - 992199384F The affected vehicles are cars that use the part number mentioned. |
| 11011572 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the oil separator. The affected vehicles are cars that use part number 0PC115099A |
| 11011570 | Special tools and equipment information for the WiScope UV upgrade - affecting all Porsche models |
| 11011563 | Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.020 & .021. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11011561 | Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.017. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11011552 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the camera and control unit with the camera - PAD980551 & PAD980568C. The affected vehicles are cars that use the part numbers mentioned. |
| 11011200 | Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.016. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models with an OBD2 port. |
| 11011195 | Information on PIWIS tester update 43.000.010, .011 & .015. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models with an OBD2 port. |
| 11009877 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.048 |
| 11009862 | Special tools and equipment information for the mobile data signal strength in the workshop |
| 11008666 | Manufacturers certificate with an overview on approved Porsche A40 engine oils. See attached for list of affected vehicles. |
| 11008661 | Manufacturers certificate with an overview on approved Porsche C30 engine oils. See attached for list of affected vehicles. All MY04-20 |
| 11008658 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the windscreen. Vehicles affected are cars that use part numbers 992845011Q, 992845011AN, 992845011S, 992845011AM, 992845011BL, 992845011DB, 992845047DY, 992845047FY |
| 11008657 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.040. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11008637 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.032. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11008636 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.030. PIWIS tester updates applies to all Porsche models that have an OBD2 port. |
| 11008635 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the booster - 7PP035223M, 7PP035223AA, 99164548000. Vehicles affected are cars that use the part numbers listed. |
| 11008624 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.025 |
| 11008610 | Technical information for the installation of wire harness for roof power supply |
| 11008603 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the windscreen. The cars involved are cars that use the part numbers 992845011Q, 992845011AN, 992845011S, 992845011AM, 992845011BL, 992845011DB, 992845047DY, 992845047FY |
| 11008598 | Technical information on replacement of thermostat housing for the Cayenne |
| 11008486 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.021 |
| 11008479 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the chain tensioner - 0PB109507D |
| 11008476 | Information on PIWIS tester update 42.950.020 |
| 11008473 | Parts information for parts withdrawal involving the seat frame - 992885456CY |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)