2017 Porsche Cayenne

Case Number: 1170739 – Additional Evidence Submission I would like to provide an additional document for Case #1170739. The manufacturer (Porsche Cars North America) stated in writing that the vehicle is “safe to drive even with warning indicators illuminated,” but in the same communication offered a rental vehicle if I found this “inconvenient.” These two statements cannot logically coexist, and they raise concerns that the manufacturer may be minimizing or mischaracterizing a potential safety-related defect. Furthermore: The warning indicators involve the coolant and fuel systems of an E-Hybrid model, which may be connected to thermal management and combustion-related safety. The vehicle remained in the dealer’s possession for an extended period during repeated repair attempts. During a visit, I found the hood partially open while the vehicle was being stored long-term, raising questions regarding proper safety and storage protocols. Additional system warnings appeared after prolonged non-operation, suggesting possible deterioration related to improper storage or incomplete diagnostics. I respectfully request NHTSA’s assessment of whether it is appropriate for a dealer or the manufacturer (Porsche Cars North America) to advise a customer to operate a vehicle on public roads while warning indicators are illuminated. From a consumer’s standpoint, this does not appear reasonable or safe, and I wish to operate my vehicle only in a condition that is objectively safe for road use. The fact that such guidance was provided to me is deeply concerning, and I would appreciate the agency’s evaluation of whether this type of advice aligns with I am submitting the manufacturer’s email for your review, as it appears inconsistent with standard safety guidance and may reflect an attempt to address the matter through customer-service accommodations rather than technical evaluation. Please add this information and attached documentation to my existing case file. Thank you.

Reported

Dec 2025

Incident date

Dec 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I am reporting a series of safety-related defects involving the electrical, cooling, and fuel systems of my 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid. The vehicle was initially brought to the authorized Porsche dealership due to an electrical system error, and the dealer kept the vehicle for an extended period. After approximately five months, the vehicle was returned to me without a clear explanation of the root cause or details of the repair. The very next day after receiving the vehicle, a coolant temperature warning appeared while driving, indicating abnormal engine overheating. This created an immediate safety hazard, as overheating can lead to sudden engine failure, loss of power, or a potential fire risk. I returned the vehicle to the dealership again for further repairs. Afterward, another serious issue occurred: because this is a hybrid vehicle, I went to refuel, but the fuel door would not open, and a fuel system error warning appeared again. This made the vehicle unsafe to operate, especially while already on the road. Due to these repeated failures, I was required to tow the vehicle multiple times. These problems — electrical malfunction, coolant overheating during driving, fuel system errors, and a non-functional fuel door — occurred repeatedly even after prolonged service by the dealership. The combination of electrical faults, overheating risk, hybrid system malfunction, and fuel system failure presents a significant safety concern. I will provide additional documentation to support this report. I request that NHTSA review this case to determine whether an investigation is warranted, as these issues may indicate a broader defect affecting this model.

Reported

Dec 2025

Incident date

Oct 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

During rain events, headlight housings are becoming inundated with moisture (L and R sides). A quick search on multiple forums shows this is a known issue with all Porsche models. During night driving this issue reduces visibility significantly. Yes, this puts my occupants and other drivers at risk. Porsche is famous for not acknowledging and addressing out of warranty manufacturing defects, even safety issues. They would not address this issue. Brief warning lights and flashing of the headlight system was evident. This has been happening for a few years and is getting progressively worse.

Reported

Sep 2025

Incident date

Sep 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

the piece of leather trim sit on top of dash panel below the windshield that cover the airbag shrink and peel off the main dash. The passenger air bag might not deploy properly in the event of frontal collisions because of a loose piece of leather cover it.

Reported

Jul 2025

Incident date

Jul 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

When the weather drops below 0 celsius, the hybrid battery fails with a hybrid battery failure message. The Porsche dealer said this is a known issue and there is no fix. I've been stuck several times in the past 3 years up in the mountains when the temperature drops suddenly and there are no services within 100's of miles to even tow it to get a fix. I just have to wait for the temperature to warm up to start the car. There is currently no bypass to switch to gas only which would solve the issue. If you look at the pic, there is plenty of gas in the car.

Reported

Jan 2025

Incident date

Jan 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Passenger side dash board leather cover has pulled away from dash - thus creating a safety issue with the airbag. Porsche has examined the damage and recommended a repair but will not cover the cost - but did advise that in the event of a accident - they do see a potential problem with the passenger side air bag deploying safely (or not at all). There should be a recall on this by Porsche as it's a safetly issue.

Reported

Dec 2024

Incident date

Nov 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Broken and loosened timing chain cover bolts resulting in leaking oil onto drive components, belts and tires/brakes. This recall was done for the Macan and not the Cayenne. Ours was covered under factory extended warranty. That said, this is criminal. Porsche needs to be investigated, they refuse to recall their vehicles and we all know there are some manufaturing issues that are 100% the factory's fault. If the NTSB refuses to hold their feet to the fire this type of engineering will continue.

Reported

Jun 2024

Incident date

Jan 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Oil leaks from timing chain cover due to defective bolt material, bolts loosen and break. This is a widespread known issue with Cayennes and Macans.

Reported

Apr 2024

Incident date

Apr 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The two headlights have appeared to have condensation due to sealing problem of the headlight. When the light bulbs and beam heat up the air with moisture, it will leave water inside of the headlight cover. This will increase the safety risks when we were driving on the road. There is no warning message for that. The problem should not be normal and this should really be manufacturer’s problem to fix.

Reported

Dec 2023

Incident date

Dec 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2017 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of a road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated; however, the contact had been hearing an abnormal rattle and knocking sound from under the floorboard. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the bolts from the transfer case had loosened, and the case had separated from the drive shaft. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

Reported

Apr 2023

Incident date

Jan 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Porsche and VW has a drainage issues with certain model vehicles. The drainage plug is set in the trunk near the battery, main system cpu and amplifier. Water gets drain into the lower compartment of the trunk and causes electrical issues with the vehicle. It's been a design flaw from porsche since before the Cayenne was created. To repair the damage it cost upwards of $3,000 per damage battery, electrical components, amplifier are all billed separate. Porsche warranty refuses to honor the design flaws in correct the issues. Owners are not made aware of the issue until it becomes an issue then porsche wants no part to do with it. The drainage location can cause an electrical fire and engine malfunction while driving.

Reported

Feb 2023

Incident date

Feb 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The headlights aren’t sealed correctly so water has leaked in and caused them to malfunction. Porsche is making me get them repaired at a cost of $4100

Reported

Feb 2022

Incident date

Feb 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

OVERNIGHT FUEL PRESSURE LOSS RESULTS IN EXTENDED CRANK CYCLE. DESPITE 6 SERVICE VISITS BETWEEN TWO CHICAGOLAND AREA PORSCHE DEALERSHIPS, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SATISFACTORILY REPAIRED. FUEL PRESSURE LOSS WAS CONFIRMED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY THE SEMERSKY'S PORSCHE EXCHANGE IN HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS. FUEL PUMPS WERE APPARENTLY REPLACED, THE LAST TIME DAMAGING THE SEAT CLIPS UNDER THE SECOND ROW BENCH SEAT. FUEL PRESSURE LOSS HAS SLOWED, BUT STILL OCCURS WHEN FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN 3/4 EMPTY. THIS VEHICLE IS COVERED BY MANUFACTURER WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM BECAME APPARENT AT 24K MILES.

Reported

Sep 2020

Incident date

Dec 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

FRONT PANEL OF PANORAMIC SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON A HIGHWAY.

Reported

Oct 2019

Incident date

Aug 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

ACC/ PAS UNAVAILABLE WARNING: APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN SARASOTA, FL THE PAS SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED MY VEHICLE WITHOUT REASON. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE "ACC/PAS IS UNAVAILABLE" WARNING HAS APPEARED ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, A VEHICLE TO MY LEFT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO MY LANE OF TRAFFIC WHILE WE WERE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET. I ATTEMPTED TO HONK MY HORN (WHICH FAILED MAKING AN AUDIBLE SOUND) AND SWERVED TO PREVENT THIS IMPENDING COLLISION. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ALSO WITNESSED WHAT WAS OCCURRING AND SLAMMED ON THEIR BREAKS. MY PAS SYSTEM FAILED TO ALERT AND APPLY PRESSURE AND/OR STOP THE BREAKS AS THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS DESIGNED. DESPITE MY EFFORTS TO BREAK QUICKLY THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND I COLLIDED. THE FIRST DRIVER THAT MERGED INTO MY LANE FLED THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND THE PORSCHE HAD MODERATE FRONT END DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY'S AUTO REPAIR EXPRESS PROGRAM AT A COLLISION CENTER OF THEIR CHOICE. IT WAS THEN SENT TO OUR LOCAL PORSCHE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR INSPECTION AND REINSTALLATION AND CALIBRATION OF THE PAS CAMERAS AND OPERATIONS. ON THE SECOND OCCASION APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE BODY SHOP AND INSPECTIONS, I WAS SITTING AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN, CARS BEHIND ME STARTED HONKING. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN TO PROCEED THROUGH THE LIGHT BEFORE BREAKING ABRUPTLY. AGAIN THE "ACC/PAS IS UNAVAILABLE" WARNING APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THIS AND MY BREAKS DID NOT RESPOND TO MY APPLIED PRESSURE. I HAD NOT YET ACCELERATED.

Reported

Jan 2018

Incident date

Nov 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 PORSCHE CAYENNE S E-HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A WARNING MESSAGE THAT READ "ENGINE FAILURE, DRIVE ON POSS" APPEARED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO A DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PORSCHE OF ARLINGTON, 3100 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE FAILED AND A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW THROTTLE AND SOFTWARE UPDATE; HOWEVER, LESS THAN 24 HOURS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE CASE ESCALATED AND SOMEONE WOULD RETURN THE CALL. NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,600.

Reported

Oct 2017

Incident date

Oct 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid Platinum Edition, Macan Turbo and Macan GTS vehicles, 2017-2018 Cayenne S, Macan, Cayenne Platinum Edition and Macan S vehicles and 2018 Cayenne vehicles equipped with the optional ski bag. The ski bag fastening strap may have been sewn with incorrect thread, possibly resulting in the strap seams tearing and the ski bag being unsecured in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the ski bag detaches during a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ski bags, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AJ12.

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 adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: 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.