2011 Porsche Cayenne Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne.

20102012
Complaints
37
per 10K Sold
28.5
US Sales
12,978
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2011 Porsche Cayenne Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#112 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:83,771 mi
Crash-related:1
#211 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:59,335 mi
#33 complaints

Airbags

Considering a 2011 Porsche Cayenne?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne.

Engine Problems
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
83,771
Transmission / Drivetrain
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
59,335
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 Porsche Cayenne

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~331,436 vehicles.

22V656000Exterior Lighting:headlights
~222,858 affected

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."

16V169000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
~88,300 affected

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.

12V065000Exterior Lighting:headlights
~20,278 affected

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.

Other Porsche Cayenne Years

2011 Porsche Cayenne — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 Porsche Cayenne reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2011 Porsche Cayenne has 37 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 12 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 Porsche Cayenne?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (12 complaints, avg 83,771 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (11 complaints, avg 59,335 mi); Airbags (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Porsche Cayenne?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 72,084 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 Porsche Cayenne?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne include 1 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 331,436 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 Porsche Cayenne?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Porsche Cayenne reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99