2012 Porsche Cayenne
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 17 of 33 complaints (52%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 47 in 2011 to 33 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,850–5,950 | 3,700–4,550 | 3,700–4,550 | 3,700–4,850 | 3,700–5,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 13–16 | 17–21 | 17–21 | 16–23 | 15–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–14 / 17–20 | 15–20 / 22–24 | 15–20 / 22–24 | 14–20 / 20–29 | 13–20 / 20–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 555–684 | 423–523 | 423–523 | 414–546 | 414–576 | |
| Complaints filed | 1 | 47 | 33 | 40 | 53 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 9 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Porsche Cayenne?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 17 of 33 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne get?
EPA rates it 17–21 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Porsche Cayenne?
EPA estimates $3,700–$4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 4.8L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 4.8L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 20 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 22V656000 · Aug 31, 2022
Defect: 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."
Consequence: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · Campaign 16V169000 · Mar 23, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG02.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · Campaign 12V329000 · Jul 13, 2012
Defect: PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 PANAMERA TURBO, 2012 PANAMERA TURBO S, AND 2012 CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES. THE TURBINE WHEEL OF A TURBOCHARGER MAY FRACTURE DUE TO A CASTING DEFECT. IF A FRACTURE OCCURS, VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DECREASED AND THE TURBINE SHAFT MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence: IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURBINE WHEELS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 12V065000 · Feb 21, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.
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.