Model year record

2012 Porsche Cayenne

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 35 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V656000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
222,858
Reported to NHTSA
2022-08-30
Owners notified
2022-10-28

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V169000

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
Manufacturer
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
88,300
Reported to NHTSA
2016-03-23
Owners notified
2016-07-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V329000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger
Manufacturer
PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
270
Reported to NHTSA
2012-07-12
Owners notified
2012-09-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V065000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
20,278
Reported to NHTSA
2012-02-21
Owners notified
2012-03-09

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train1254,000 mi
Unknown or other71,400 mi
Engine4789 mi
Electrical system210 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer2205,154 mi
Seats21,400 mi
Air bags1
Electronic stability control (ESC)118,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility11,400 mi
Fuel/propulsion system118,000 mi
Service brakes142,000 mi
Visibility150 mi

The 2011 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2013 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.