Porsche Cayenne Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 108 of the 417 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2024 Porsche Cayenne (25.9%) name the transmission, 2.1× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Transmission complaints
108
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2024 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
25.9%
of 417 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Porsche Cayenne transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 9 | 21.4% | 1 | 19V446000 | 0 |
| 2009 | 6 | 40% | 0 | 19V446000 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 19V446000 | 0 |
| 2011WORST | 18 | 29% | 0 | — | 22 |
| 2012WORST | 18 | 50% | 1 | — | 25 |
| 2013 | 16 | 40% | 0 | — | 23 |
| 2014WORST | 17 | 32.1% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | 3 | 23.1% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | 7 | 18.4% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 | 6.7% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 7.7% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | 6 | 15.4% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | 4 | 20% | 0 | 20V271000 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 11.8% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 25 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Porsche Cayenne transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 108 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Porsche Cayenne years to avoid for the transmission
2011 Porsche Cayenne
18 transmission complaints (29% of the year's 62). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2012 Porsche Cayenne
18 transmission complaints (50% of the year's 36). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2014 Porsche Cayenne
17 transmission complaints (32.1% of the year's 53). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Porsche Cayenne years to avoid.
Porsche Cayenne transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Porsche Cayenne model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 20V271000 · 2020-05-13 · 2020 models
An insufficient weld on a transmission oil pipe may cause the vehicle to leak automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
- 19V446000 · 2019-06-12 · 2008–2010 models
The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in…
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Porsche Cayenne have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 18 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 Porsche Cayenne, 29% of all 62 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (7 complaints).
Does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 18 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne, 50% of all 36 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (7 complaints). 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2014 Porsche Cayenne have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 17 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Porsche Cayenne, 32.1% of all 53 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (6 complaints).
Which Porsche Cayenne years have the most transmission complaints?
2011 (18), 2012 (18) and 2014 (17), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Porsche Cayenne transmission problems?
In the 108 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (30.6%), shudder or vibration (8.3%) and slipping or revving without accelerating (7.4%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Porsche Cayenne model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration