10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,867 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.

2011 Porsche Cayenne engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Porsche Cayenne Owner Comments

problem #12

Apr 112024

Cayenne

  • miles

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

My vehicle has camshaft and crankshaft correlation problems due to the well-known problem with its screws and other things. I reported it to Porsche and they told me that it has already been repaired but I don't understand how to fail again and deny help for its repair.

- Texarkana, AR, USA

problem #11

Mar 102020

Cayenne

  • miles
Intake camshafts adjuster bolts broke while in motion on city street C@P case with Porsche # 0005611574 manufacturer campaign number : AH08

- Carolina, PR, USA

problem #10

Mar 102020

Cayenne

  • miles
Engine stopped working.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #9

Jun 292020

Cayenne 8-cyl

  • 94,000 miles

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

The aluminum bolts on the timing cover are broken causing an oil leak. If the all bolts are made of aluminum then what about the transfer case? I've heard about near accidents because of bolts breaking either because of the material difference between the bolts and the magnesium in the motor. It has occurred on other models of Porsche. Porsche should recall and fix the aluminum bolts on all parts.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #8

Dec 162019

Cayenne

  • miles
Coolant leaks while vehicle is stationary. Leak is due to faulty plastic that was redesigned to metal tubing due to common reported issues. Plastic tubing connected to coolant system will become brittle and cracked, causing overheating and lost of coolant. This issue is commonly reported about the 2011 cayanne with a dealership cost of up to $4500.

- Union, NJ, USA

problem #7

Jun 172017

Cayenne

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V368000 (engine); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called a local dealer (Porsche of larchmont, 2500 boston post rd, larchmont, NY 10538) and was informed that the remedy parts were not available. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Bronxville, NY, USA

problem #6

Jul 312017

Cayenne

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V368000 (engine). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Porsche of silver spring in silver spring, Maryland was made aware of the recall and stated that there was no remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. While driving 40 mph, the throttle control failed and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the power brakes and power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to Porsche of silver spring where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft controllers failed as described in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 90,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Fulton, MD, USA

problem #5

Jul 012017

Cayenne

  • 94,000 miles
The bolts on the camshaft controller broke inside of my engine. When this happened, I was driving southbound on the 405 freeway in los angeles, ca. The car violently jerked and then stalled on the freeway. This almost caused a major accident, but thankfully everyone was able to avoid my car. I've been told by a few repair shops that the damage done by the loose bolts likely damaged the engines internal components and I will likely be needing a new engine or an overhaul of the existing engine.

- Culver City, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 112017

Cayenne

  • 84,600 miles
While driving this car all of sudden check engine light came on and engine started making loud noises. Car is showing various fault codes and brakes stopped working which couold have created major risk to driver and other pedenstrian and vehicles on the road. Engine is showing various mis fire codes and came shaft related codes. It is too risky to drive this vehicle on the road. Vehicle has been regularly maintained by Porsche dealer and is up to date with all required maintenannce. This is very dangerous problem and must be attended immediately and drivers of this car notified asap to avaoid any fatalities and property damage.

- Kildeer, IL, USA

problem #3

Nov 072016

Cayenne

  • 84,000 miles
Camshaft adjuster bolts snapped while in operating mode.being made of aluminum not steel as in previous years caused the engine to stop operating. Porsche usa refused to cooperate citing an out of warranty reason.vehicle onlu had 84000 miles when this factory defect has effected the engine.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #2

Jun 172016

Cayenne

  • 99,800 miles
The car stopped while being driven in traffic on a busy Suburban road. The car would not restart. Right before the car suddenly stopped the psm light came on. This was the only thing that occurred prior to the sudden stop. The car was pushed out of the road and flat bedded to paul miller Porsche in parsippany, N.J. the service technician(s) found that at least one aluminum bolt from the cam shaft adjuster had sheared off and fell through the engine causing complete engine failure. The only way to repair the car was to replace the engine. The car was purchase brand new on June 15, 2011. The car had been special ordered several months prior to the delivery date. After this incident, I researched this issue. It appears that Porsche Cayennes and panameras manufactured during the same time period our car was made were recalled in china for this exact same issue-aluminum camshaft adjuster bolts shearing off into the engine and causing total engine failure. This car was out of the Porsche 4 year/50K warranty period. I notified Porsche North America of this incident and they refused to replace the engine. The car was covered under our geico mechanical breakdown insurance. Geico sent out inspectors to examine the car and deemed it a total loss. We surrendered the car to geico and were paid what they deemed the car was worth. The last time we saw the car was at paul miller Porsche in parsipanny, N.J. on July 26th when we emptied it of our personal belongings. Luckily no one was hurt in this incident. Obviously a car suddenly stopping while being driven is huge danger. Had this occurred on a highway or in faster traffic the results could have been catastrophic.

- Warren, NJ, USA

problem #1

Aug 092016

Cayenne

  • 40,000 miles
There have been increasing reports of variocam camshaft drive bolt failures on the 2011 Porsche Cayenne V8 engines. When these bolts fail, engine damage occurs, and the engine typically stops running. In the case of the turbo model - this can also result in the loss of braking ability since the brakes are powered off a camshaft. There is also a loss of power steering - meaning you have a 4,500lb vehicle without brakes or steering. Porsche had a limited "workshop campaign" for these vehicles that addressed a certain range of VIN# in the usa. It is wc-22 (I'm attaching a pdf of it.) the failures are now being reported with increasing frequency in VIN#'s not covered by this workshop campaign. The campaign involves replacing the variocam assembly with one assembled with steel bolts rather than aluminum bolts. Earlier versions of this assembly also used steel bolts, and the failures appear limited to ones where the aluminum bolts were used. The most complete discussion on this can be found at: www.6speedonline.com/forums/Cayenne/319690-snapped-camshaft-adjuster-bolt-engine-brake-hydraulics-failure.html there are other websites and discussions on the same failure. Here is an article on the recall Porsche did in china for the same problem: europe.autonews.com/article/20150209/ane/150209861/Porsche-will-recall-some-panamera-Cayenne-models-in-china mine has not failed yet - but it appears to be just a matter of time, mine has the aluminum bolts in the assembly. I would ask that Porsche extend the workshop campaign to all the vehicles with the aluminum bolts used in the variocam assembly. The failure of both brakes and steering that occurs when these bolts fail is an obvious safety issue with these vehicles. It makes me hesitant to drive the vehicle. I've asked the local dealer about it, and they claim my vehicle is not effected.

- Spring Lake, NJ, USA

Not what you are looking for?