2012 Porsche Cayenne: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Porsche Cayenne: 4 recalls, 27 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #12V065000 · 2012 · 20,278 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: A detached headlight could lead to loss of visibility and an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp locking assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall began on March 9, 2012.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #12V329000 · 2012 · 270 vehicles
What's wrong: The turbine wheel of a turbocharger May fracture due to a casting defect. If a fracture occurs, vehicle performance will be decreased and the turbine shaft May fracture.
Why it matters: If the shaft fractures, oil May be drawn into the exhaust system, resulting in smoke and the increased risk of a fire.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the turbine wheels, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2012.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #16V169000 · 2016 · 88,300 vehicles
What's wrong: Porsche cars north america, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016. The brake pedal pivot pin May be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.
Why it matters: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver May not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #22V656000 · 2022 · 222,858 vehicles
What's wrong: Porsche cars north america, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche macan, cayenne, panamera, and cayman s, 2001-2004 boxster, boxster s, 2004 boxster 50 jahre spyder 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly…
Why it matters: Improperly adjusted headlights May not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (12): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (5), stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (3).
- Other / unknown (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (4): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Electrical (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 Porsche Cayenne has 27 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 23 Cayenne model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 22). Complaints peaked in 2019 (9 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 51,450 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (30 complaints, 3 recalls), 2013 (40 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Premium |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Porsche Cayenne problems?
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (12), other / unknown (7), engine (4).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic (S8)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Porsche Cayenne repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.