2004 Porsche Cayenne Problems and Recalls (37 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2004 Porsche Cayenne is Transmission / driveline (24% of 37 owner reports). There are 6 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 37 complaints · 6 recalls

What problems show up on the 2004 Porsche Cayenne?

9 of 37 filings named Transmission / driveline (24% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (7 reports).

There are 6 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, Fuel system, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.

What to check before you buy a 2004 Porsche Cayenne

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 6 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 9 complaints · 24.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 3
  • Fires 2
  • Injuries 0
  • Deaths 0
All Porsche Cayenne years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 9 of 37 owner complaints (24.3%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 9 complaints, 24.3% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 2 crash reports 9 · 24.3% Engine (ENGINE): 7 complaints, 18.9% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 7 · 18.9% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 7 complaints, 18.9% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 7 · 18.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 3 complaints, 8.1% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 3 · 8.1% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 2 complaints, 5.4% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 2 · 5.4% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 2 complaints, 5.4% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 2 · 5.4% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 1 complaints, 2.7% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 1 · 2.7% Steering (STEERING): 1 complaints, 2.7% of reports Steering (STEERING) 1 · 2.7% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 1 complaints, 2.7% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 · 2.7% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 8 complaints, 21.6% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1 crash reports 8 · 21.6% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 9 24.3% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 7 18.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 7 18.9% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 8.1% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 2 5.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 2 5.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 2.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 1 2.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 2.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 8 21.6% 1 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Apr 2004; the first recall shown was reported in Feb 2004. 2004-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2004-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2014-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2018-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2023-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Feb 2004 Jul 2023 Recall campaign 04V071000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V071000 Recall campaign 04V231000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V231000 Recall campaign 04V593000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V593000 Recall campaign 17V576000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V576000 Recall campaign 19V446000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V446000 Recall campaign 22V656000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V656000 Investigation PE05060 ● Investigation PE05060 Investigation EA06005 ● Investigation EA06005
  • Campaign 19V446000 was reported 4,018 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V656000 was reported 6,711 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2004-Q2 Owner reports 1
2004-Q3 Owner reports 1
2005-Q1 Owner reports 1
2005-Q4 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 1
2008-Q2 Owner reports 1
2010-Q4 Owner reports 1
2012-Q1 Owner reports 1
2012-Q3 Owner reports 5
2014-Q3 Owner reports 1
2014-Q4 Owner reports 1
2015-Q4 Owner reports 2
2016-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q4 Owner reports 2
2018-Q2 Owner reports 4
2018-Q4 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 1
2019-Q3 Owner reports 1
2019-Q4 Owner reports 1
2020-Q1 Owner reports 1
2021-Q1 Owner reports 1
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2022-Q4 Owner reports 3
2023-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 04V071000
Recall campaign 1 04V231000
Recall campaign 1 04V593000
Recall campaign 1 17V576000
Recall campaign 1 19V446000
Recall campaign 1 22V656000
Defect investigation 1 PE05060
Defect investigation 1 EA06005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (6)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, Fuel system, and Lights.

  1. Recall campaign 04V071000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING. INCORRECT TORQUE WOULD THEN BE APPLIED TO THE DRIVEN WHEELS OR OIL COULD LEAK AND CONTACT THE TIRES.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 04V231000

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    Consequence:
    IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BELT BUCKLE LATCH AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 04V593000

    Safety recall 04V593000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY INSTALL A CLIP IN EITHER OF THE AFFECTED REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS AND PROVIDE AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT. THE CLIPS WILL PREVENT UNWARRANTED CONVERSION FROM ALR TO ELR MODE WITH CHILD SEAT INSTALLATION. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 17, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 17V576000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH10.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 19V446000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 22V656000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 37 complaints · page 1 of 2
2023-08-24Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11540647
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Strong odor of gasoline traveling through the vents injected into vehicle. Fuel filter has a crack. Underhood electrical problems that may cause a fire
2023-01-06Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11500425
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact is a car seat technician. The contact worked with a family who owns a Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max Convertible Car Seat, as the technician was inspecting the car seat she noticed the chest clip was not working as needed. The magnetic piece that clips on the chest area comes out easily.
2022-12-15Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11497634
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair appointment, he noticed that the steering wheel had a quarter inch of play. The U-Joint connection was severely corroded. The dealer diagnosed that the steering column and steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 266,969.
2022-11-11Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11493210
CrashFireInjuryDeath
There is a significant smell of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was a recall on the same make, model, and year for fuel pump filter flange leaks, which are indicative of a strong smell of gas inside the car. This can potentially cause the car to start on fire. The dealer stated due to the VIN, the vehicle was not covered under the existing recall.
2022-11-02Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11491915
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting), 19V446000 (Power Train), and 17V576000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to read accurately. The headlamp wiring had been deteriorating causing the headlights to malfunction. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. Parts distributions disconnect.
2021-06-09Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11420279
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The cam shaft actuator has gone out.. Recalled on newer vehicles mine is 2004. Front airbag is also non operational
2021-03-03Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11399023
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD "BOOM" NOISE AND FIRE STARTED COMING FROM THE GLOVE BOX IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. FIRE MARSHALS WERE CALLED ONTO THE SCENE TO ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, AFTER 3 HOURS THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A REPORT WAS MADE WITH THE FIRE MARSHALS. THE CONTACT STATED NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND REMAINS ON CONTACTS PROPERTY. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V069000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THEY DID NOT PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM A PORSHE DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD TO DO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
2020-03-26Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11319375
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVE WAY WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY BREAK ENGAGED AND LEFT TO ENTER HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES LATER, WHEN EXITING HIS RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED GEARS TO REVERSE AND ROLLED AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HIT TWO TREES, A FENCE, CONTINUED TO ROLL AWAY AND HIT A SECOND FENCE WHICH DETAINED THE VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATE NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO BREAK THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW TO ENTER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR BODY DAMAGE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATE AT THAT MOMENT HE DID NOT CONTACT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATES HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V446000 (POWER TRAIN) IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN PORSCHE OF OMAHA (6625 L ST, OMAHA, NE 68117) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
2019-11-20Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11280095
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ROLLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH, THEN CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLES. *JS *JS - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
2019-09-06Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11253537
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE ISSUES IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACCELERATION BETWEEN 3 GEARS... CAR TRANSMISSIONS "STUMBLES" (TRANSMISSION LOCKING). WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE PORSCHE COMMUNITY AND PORSCHE SOLUTION IS DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE. NO ENGINE ERROR CODES ISSUED AS WELL. PORSCHE SAYS CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE A WHILE UNTIL I RESEARCHED THE ISSUES ONLINE. PREVIOUSE RECALL # 03V351000 - PORSCHE WILL NOT CURRENTLY HONOR THIS RECALL.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2004 Porsche Cayenne?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 9 of 37 reports (24%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, Fuel system, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2004 Porsche Cayenne?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources