2013 Porsche Cayenne Problems: Transmission / driveline (40 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2013 Porsche Cayenne is Transmission / driveline (35% of 40 owner reports). There are 3 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 40 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 2013 Porsche Cayenne?

14 of 40 filings named Transmission / driveline (35% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Fuel system (4 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Electrical, Brakes, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2012 has 27 reports on file; this year has 40. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2013 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.

Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
Seat belts. Check that every belt latches, retracts and that related recalls are closed.
Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 14 complaints · 35.0% of the file

Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:

Crashes 0
Fires 0
Injuries 0
Deaths 0

Compare with 2012 →

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.

“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)	14	35.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)	4	10.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)	4	10.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE)	3	7.5%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)	2	5.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE)	2	5.0%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)	1	2.5%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)	1	2.5%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover	11	27.5%	0 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.

View timeline records as a table

Date	Record type	Count	Record identifier
2015-Q1	Owner reports	1
2016-Q3	Owner reports	1
2016-Q4	Owner reports	1
2017-Q3	Owner reports	1
2017-Q4	Owner reports	1
2018-Q2	Owner reports	1
2018-Q3	Owner reports	2
2018-Q4	Owner reports	1
2019-Q1	Owner reports	1
2019-Q2	Owner reports	4
2019-Q3	Owner reports	5
2019-Q4	Owner reports	3
2020-Q1	Owner reports	2
2020-Q2	Owner reports	2
2020-Q4	Owner reports	1
2021-Q2	Owner reports	1
2022-Q4	Owner reports	2
2024-Q1	Owner reports	1
2024-Q3	Owner reports	3
2024-Q4	Owner reports	1
2025-Q1	Owner reports	1
2025-Q2	Owner reports	1
2025-Q3	Owner reports	1
2026-Q1	Owner reports	1
2026-Q2	Owner reports	1
Oct 2013	Recall campaign	1	13V506000
Mar 2016	Recall campaign	1	16V169000
Aug 2022	Recall campaign	1	22V656000

NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

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

In short, these campaigns were filed about Electrical, Brakes, and Lights.

Recall campaign 13V506000

Electrical

Report date

Oct 17, 2013

Component:

Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)

Consequence:

The fuel display inaccuracies may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software free of charge. The recall began on December 5, 2013. Owners may contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's recall number is AD03.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 16V169000

Brakes

Report date

Mar 23, 2016

Component:

Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)

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.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 22V656000

Lights

Report date

Aug 30, 2022

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

Showing 9 of 40 complaints · page 1 of 2

2026-04-07Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11729798

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The leather dash has "shrunk" so badly and is so distorted that there is no way the passenger airbag would properly inflate in an accident. Porsche tells me that this defect is "cosmetic" and of no consequence to vehicle safety. I do not agree with this position and feel that Porsche should be liable for this defect.

2026-03-16Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)

NHTSA ODI 11724527

CrashFireInjuryDeath

This vehicle qualified for the Volkswagen Emissions Recall, yet from the start of the recall through 2018 settlement lawsuit dates , no correspondence was sent (by Porsche nor VW). According to all recall regulations, my vehicle should have among the ‘recall’ with the 85K plus others, yet no correspondence was sent (by Porsche nor VW) & now the local Porsche dealership is denying in, According to all recall regulations, even still with the EPA, the vehicle was to receive an initial emissions test, then undergo all related repairs/part replacements before the issue resulted in toxic emissions, NOX sensor failures, & premature problems with the DPF system, leading to thermostat problems & the failure of the diesel turbo. Federal regs mandate that vehicle & vehicle equipment manufacturers comply with Early Warning Reporting requirements, submit to NHTSA copies of their manufacturer communications. & update all communications including warranty, policy extensions & product improvement communication sent to dealers, distributors, owners, purchasers, etc. regarding any defect, failure or malfunction beyond normal deterioration in use, failure of performance, flaw or other unintended deviation from design specifications whether it is safety-related or not. Porsche now says my vehicle never showed the recall, despite court mandates that all affected vehicles will be notified communication failed on the sides of both manufacturers. In 2026, if one possesses an eligible vehicle but never received a "Dieselgate" recall notice, options for financial compensation from the original U.S. settlements stated to be likely limited, & I’m not able to find how to proceed with Volkswagen, but regardless, according to EPA and all vehicle standards, I read my vehicle is still entitled to receive an emissions modification at no cost, and that I should be covered by an extended emissions warranty to address all current & related issues.

2025-09-02Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11684455

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The factory leather dashboard has detached/ungluded in places both on the driver and passenger side. Now the dashboard cover in the passenger area does not properly line up and has bubbled up on top of the passenger air bag door. There is a high possibility that this defect will prevent the passenger air bag from properly functioning or not function at all during an accident. Several Cayenne owners have reported this problem to Porsche USA however they will only replace at the owner's request and owners expense which is in the thousands of dollars. Porsche USA said that this is not a recall item therefore they will not pay for the repair.

2025-04-01Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11652153

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Porsche dashboard leather has shrunk and now doesn’t properly cover airbag which is a major safety hazard. Porsche said they would not cover cost to replace which they quoted $9k. There are tons of reports of this happening to other Porsche cayenne owners and need to be addressed via recall

2025-01-17Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11636420

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Leather dashboard cover is separating from the dashboard with staples being pulled up. I am concerned the airbag in the dash may deploy improperly and/or dangerously.

2024-10-08Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11618766

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Porsche Cayenne dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. The airbag in the dashboard may not deploy properly in the event when there is an accident. Porsche dealer recommended the dashboard to be replaced. Many vehicles have this issue after warranty is out

2024-09-18Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

NHTSA ODI 11615239

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The Drive train consists of an engine, transmission, transfercase, driveshafts and differentials. The Transfercase has failed prior to the normal life cycle. Porsche recognizes this problem on this series of SUV and extends the warranty for 10 years and unlimited mileage. Porsche announced this extension in June 2024. However this does not cover the early models in this series 2011-2013 with the same drivetrain and transfercase. So in effect this failure of the transfer case is not covered on 2014 - 2011 Porsche Cayenne's models with the same transfercase because Porsche delayed the notification to customers. Even though the SUV may have low mileage, they will not warranty or cover my failure.

2024-08-19Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)

NHTSA ODI 11609423

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Just purchased this vehicle from an independent dealer. Each time I test drove the vehicle, I put my seat belt on and after a few seconds of driving the driver's seat belt would come unlatched. Sales person told me that perhaps I wasn't latching it (false latch). After purchase, it has unlatched during my first day of driving it. I see that there are other customers complaining of the same issue on the NHTSA website.

2024-07-29Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11605224

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The optional Leather Dashboard is peeling away from the base of the windshield. The cutout in the leather that aligns with the passenger airbag is now out of alignment and there is concern if the airbag will deploy properly in an accident.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2013 Porsche Cayenne?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 14 of 40 reports (35%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Porsche Cayenne?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Electrical, Brakes, 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 2013 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

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