2013 Porsche Cayenne problems
The 2013 Porsche Cayenne has 55 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (29%) concerns drivetrain & axles. Next are engine (13%) and air bags (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 55 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 29% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 66,000 miles 28 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 5 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 11 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 28 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 66,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (13 complaints with mileage).
None of these complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 100% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2013 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the Porsche Cayenne with enough data (15 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 porsche cayenne. The contact stated that when the vehicle was refueled, the fuel gauge registered as full and remained on the same level after driving 90 miles or more. The contact mentioned that the fuel level would drop drastically without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13v506000 (electrical system).
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 porsche cayenne. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle drifts to the right. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess to keep the vehicle in position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe had shifted and needed to be unbolted and shifted back into the proper position. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 11/07/16
The porsche cayenne diesel is designed to not restart when the adblue exhaust chemical is too low. This seems reasonable. However, the vehicle is also designed to not restart when the adblue reaches a low point, even when it is refilled to full capacity. According to porsche the vehicle must be brought to an certified porsche dealership for this to be reset, so the car can be driven. Again, this occurs even when the adblue if refilled to full capacity.
When accelerating the vehicle sputters and catches. This is extremely dangerous if trying to accelerate on a highway or should you need to accelerate to avoid a collision. My vehicle was bought brand new and currently only has 23,600 miles on it. This should not happen to a car with very low mileage. This issue happens while turning, while on the highway, while in reverse, and while on a city street. I took the car to porsche and they identified that the car needs a new transfer case.
Car has problem with acceleration. It hesitates and drives like the car is being held back. Acceleration is not smooth. Rough and shudder and herky jerky. It has a faulty transfer case which is well known and should be recalled.