The most-reported Cayenne run is WP1AB29P24L (2004 builds) with 8 complaints, 4.7× the typical run. Power train problems make up 21% of reports; 2004 is the worst model year at 3.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns for Cayenne model years 2003–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Porsche Cayenne has 350 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every Cayenne complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WP1AB29P24L•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| WP1AB29P94L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| WP1AB29P54L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| WP1AB29P04L•••••• | 2004 | 1 | 1 | |
| WP1AB29P44L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| WP1AB2A28BL•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| WP1AB29P96L•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| WP1AA29P85L•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| WP1AB29P34L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| WP1AB29P45L•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| WP1AB29P84L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| WP1AB29PX4L•••••• | 2004 | — | — |
Each of the other 338 Cayenne runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 365 Cayenne VINs so far, most often 2019, 2024, 2016 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Porsche Cayenne the gap between build years is 3.3×: a 2004 car draws 3.6 complaints per run, a 2021 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2024 | 5 | 4 | — | |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 2021 | 21 | 19 | — | |
| 2020 | 24 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 45 | 25 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 12 | 8 | — | |
| 2017 | 17 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 40 | 29 | — | |
| 2015 | 14 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 51 | 29 | — | |
| 2013 | 39 | 25 | — | |
| 2012 | 35 | 23 | — | |
| 2011 | 59 | 32 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 14 | 11 | — | |
| 2008 | 35 | 25 | — | |
| 2006 | 48 | 24 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 39 | 23 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 89 | 25 | 5 |
Heaviest year here is 2004 at 3.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2022 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything Porsche Cayenne owners report: Power Train, 138 of 602 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 | 1 | |
| Engine | 2 | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 4 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 2 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 27 recall campaigns on the Porsche Cayenne; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 22V656000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2003–2017 |
| 25V896000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 2019–2025 |
| 16V169000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages | 2011–2016 |
| 19V446000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) | 2004–2010 |
| 25V634000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2024–2026 |
| 17V576000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2004–2006 |
22V656000 was opened in 2022 on cars built from 2003: 19 years on the road before the recall.
The Cayenne against its rivals
The Cayenne draws 1.7 complaints per production run; the Toyota Highlander 2.9, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.3 and the Ford Explorer 5. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche Cayenne | 602 | 350 | 2.5% | |
| Toyota Highlander | 5,259 | 1,799 | 8.3% | |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 25,476 | 4,762 | 6.8% | |
| Ford Explorer | 29,326 | 5,830 | 5% |
How serious were they
Of the 602 reports on the Porsche Cayenne, 2.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Porsche Cayenne | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 602 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 15 (2.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 6 (1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 57% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Porsche Cayenne share of that is 602 complaints over 350 runs, 0.05% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Porsche Cayenne VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 602 NHTSA complaints from 350 Cayenne runs and 27 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Cayenne production run has the most complaints?
WP1AB29P24L, a 2004 build, with 8 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Cayenne run has 1.7.
Which Cayenne years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2004 is heaviest at 3.6 complaints per run and 2022 lightest at 1.
Does the Cayenne get more complaints than the Toyota Highlander?
No: 1.7 complaints per production run for the Cayenne against 2.9 for the Toyota Highlander.
How many Cayenne complaints involve a crash?
2.5% of 602 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 6 involved a fire.
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