3.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,713 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Porsche Cayenne drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Porsche Cayenne Owner Comments

problem #12

Mar 072020

Cayenne

  • 47,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transfer case is faulty. It was replaced at 26,000 miles and now it is acting the same way again at 48.000 miles. I was entering the hwy and the car jumped forward and suddenly lost power before jumping into gear. This is not safe considering there was a car in front of me and behind. Did not cause an accident but could have. Dealer admits the transfer case has been a constant problem with 2011-2017 Cayenne but refuses to totally cover replacement. This is my second issue with the transfer case and after some light research have come across many owners with anywhere between 1 and 4 replacements. Porsche will not cover the total cost of the repair (approx. $6500). How can a company like Porsche be so arrogant as to understand and accept it is a faulty design but not make restitution to its loyal customers,

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #11

Dec 032019

Cayenne

  • miles
The transfer case in this car is failing at 53,000 miles causing unsafe, jerking acceleration leading to total breakdown/shutdown if not corrected. Numerous owners experience the same issue. The manufacturer acknowledges the defect and is now providing newly designed repair parts described as permanently solving the problem and covered by a 2-year warranty at a cost in excess of $5,500 retail

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #10

Jul 262019

Cayenne

  • 85,000 miles
Clunking / surging (almost feels like a misfire) after car warms up in second and third gear. Seems to be with the transfer case. Purchases car used 30 days ago and this issue started to appear after I had the vehicle and driving it for a couple of days. Now find that this is a common issue with Cayennes.

- Victoria, MN, USA

problem #9

Jul 222019

Cayenne

  • 47,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2012 Porsche Cayenne with 47,000 miles. Noticed jerking when turning left and some slippage in transmission. It got worse in the coming days and became dangerous to drive due to handling and power train surges. I took it to southpoint Porsche in durham, nc, this week and was told it needs a new $4,435 transfer case. A local Porsche shop directed me to reviews which note the same 'known' issue - due to a known defect that drains fluid by transfer case and gets moisture into the case. Porsche has issued corrective instructions for repairs but no recall (known) or callback to repair at their cost. Transmission can lock up during driving causing serious injuries or death. I asked dealership to contact Porsche and regional rep and to share my concerns and links to forums where this issue is outlined in many other Porsche Cayenne cases.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #8

Jun 302019

Cayenne

  • 53,000 miles
The transfer case in this car is failing at 53,000 miles causing unsafe, jerking acceleration leading to total breakdown/shutdown if not corrected. Numerous owners experience the same issue. The manufacturer acknowledges the defect and is now providing newly designed repair parts described as permanently solving the problem and covered by a 2-year warranty at a cost in excess of $5,500 retail.

- Princeton, NJ, USA

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problem #7

Apr 192019

Cayenne

  • 76,253 miles
I got the Cayenne from 2012 in 01/17/2017 tree days after buying the SUV transfer case was not working correctly, when shifting to 3rd gear noise and lost of power this at 39,273 miles repair was done now only 20,000 miles later same problem. When I called Porsche dealer to check on warranty there is none and they also let me know that this would be 3rd time that tc has been change and that they would charge $4,775 to repair.

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #6

Mar 012019

Cayenne

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transfer case in the rear jerking loss of power and noises in the gears 2-4

- Livingston, NJ, USA

problem #5

Mar 092018

Cayenne

  • 54,000 miles
Transfer case failure. Causes intermittent rough stuttering when depressing gas pedal on highway especially on incline. Car dealer did not detect problem when performing diagnostics. Went to another dealer service location. Service representative drove the car and quickly confirmed the cause is a transfer case failure. We were told our car can stall at anytime which is a clear safety hazard. After a lot of research, we found out transfer case failure is a consistent and recurring issue for Porsche Cayenne's manufactured in 2011 to 2017.

- Lexington, MA, USA

problem #4

Jan 082018

Cayenne

  • 69,000 miles
It is a very common problem for 2011+ Cayenne that has the transfer case problem. The car won't accelerate smoothly during 1-2 gear and 3-4-5 gear. It is very dangerous while trying to merge on the freeway. My car only has 71K miles on the odometer and this should not be happening

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 032017

Cayenne

  • 20,000 miles
Car had a skipping feeling when driving especially when turning. Vehicle has only 20,000 miles and transfer box has to be replaced. They charged me $4660.47 for the replacement claiming the five year warranty expired. The car is always garaged and used during the winter. When I complained to Porsche they sent me a check for $950.

- Southampton, NY, USA

problem #2

Feb 222017

Cayenne

  • 120,000 miles
Camshaft adjuster bolts failed... vehicle lost power while driving, including braking system and power steering. Porsche recalled some 2011S, but no 2012 were recalled for the same problem. I have kept the faulty parts which match part number with known defect. Porsche would not honor goodwill or any discount, even with proof of matching numbers per the manufacturer.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #1

Feb 232017

Cayenne

  • miles
Porsche Cayenne 2012. Has transmission casing issues and they are not recalling it! had transmission casing replaced with unmodified part and in less that 25K its broken again. Worry about my safety on the road as im traveling with kids and elderly a lot. They covered first emplacement as the vehicle was under warranty, but refuse to cover second replacement labor costs! its unacceptable! Porsche does not honor their quality, when the part was replaced unmodified in 2015, they were fully aware that this would be a problem down the road and sure enough, it is!! $650 dollars in labor must have been covered as was the second replacement part!!

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

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