Which Used Year Models Of Porche Cayenne To Avoid

In 2002, Porsche introduced the Cayenne, one of the manufacturer’s most prestigious and valuable vehicles. In 2008, Porsche introduced direct injection technology into its midsize luxury crossover SUV, giving the vehicle new life as one of their only off-road vehicles. 

Although all Porsche Cayenne models have been built to last, CoPilot’s job is to help you find the models that will last the longest! The model year you should buy and the one you should avoid will be our recommendations.

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Porsche Cayenne Years to Avoid: (Years 2004 and 2011)

Porsche Cayenne is a luxury SUV with a powerful engine, making it one of the best luxury SUVs available. However, these SUVs require frequent maintenance and oil changes. There are also very few replacement parts available for the Porsche Cayenne.

Generally, used Porsche Cayennes from 2004 and 2011 are safe to buy, but you should avoid them if you want to make a purchase.

In contrast to the majority of Porsche Cayenne model years, some have numerous problems, making them even more difficult to buy. You should avoid these two model years, regardless of whether you are interested in purchasing a new or used Porsche Cayenne

2004

Many cooling systems, drivetrain, and electrical problems have been reported in the 2004 Porsche Cayenne. It’s likely that you’ll have to pay upwards of $3,000 if you run into one of these problems.

On Edmunds, the model received a 4.6 rating, but received 11 complaints on CarComplaints and 100 complaints on NHTSA.

Aside from cooling system and electrical problems, it has plenty of other issues as well. This model causes leaks in the radiator, water pump failure, and thermostat failure, according to the user. There was an overheating problem and antifreeze was smelling from the engine hood. In order to fix the problem, it can cost around $3500 to replace the aluminum pipes.  

In addition, some complain that the drive shaft-center carrier bearing failed, resulting in a repair cost of around $2400. Among the electrical problems are the keyless module that doesn’t work, the driver’s seat that won’t move, and a headlight that goes out intermittently.  Depending on the issue, the cost ranges from $65 to $150.

2011

There are many engine problems that appear early in a car’s life with the 2011 model, which is the worst model you can buy. It has been reported that engines have died after fewer than 40,000 miles, brakes have prematurely worn out after 20,000 miles, and cars have overheated at 15,000 miles.

There is no question that the 2011 Porsche Cayenne has the biggest engine failure of any of the year models, so you should definitely stay away from it.

According to CarComplain, this model has been the subject of 13 complaints, while NHTSA has received 55 complaints. Additionally, Edmunds rated the 2011 Porsche Cayenne 4.8 out of 5. In addition to engine and brake problems, cooling system problems, and windshield problems are common problems associated with this model.  

The thermostat often malfunctions and owners report hearing a clicking sound from the valve when their engine stops. For thermostat replacements, expect to pay around $200 to $500, and for valve noise repairs, expect to pay $50 to 150. However, if you have these problems and your engine dies, it can cost you $1100 to fix it.

In the event that your brakes and rotors need to be replaced due to premature wear, it will cost you around $3000, while repairing a cooling system that has overheated will cost you around $1600. With the help of sound-deadening mats, you can reduce windshield wind noise for about $17 to $50.

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Which Year Models of Porsche Cayenne are Safe to Buy Used? 

There have been nearly 20 years of Porsche Cayennes, so most of the year models are dependable without worrying about major problems. If you are looking for a luxury crossover SUV that can handle both on-road and off-road, you want to make sure that it can be trusted. Below are Porsche Cayenne models from the following years that are likely to be trouble-free.

It is safe to purchase any of these Porsche Cayenne year models without having to worry about any deal-breaking problems. Among the best models, you should consider the 2003, 2007, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 models. 

Our next recommendation is for the models from the years 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Most of these vehicles have reported only a few issues, and most of them are relatively inexpensive to fix after 80,000 miles. There is a cost difference of roughly $1,000 to $2,000 for this service.

The 2013 and 2014 Porsche Cayennes are still highly recommended, but they are not as reliable as the previous models. Under 40,000 miles, they might have an issue or two that needs repairing, but these are minor issues.

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Common Porsche Cayenne Problems

Among 14 luxury midsize SUVs, the Porsche Cayenne ranked dead last on RepairPal’s reliability scale with a 1.5 out of 5.0. Here are some problems to look out for if you’re considering a used Cayenne:

Engine troubles

Among the worst problems reported by Cayenne owners is the engine. In addition to illuminating the check engine light, loud noises, and abrupt engine shut-offs in traffic, these symptoms are common. In most cases, replacing the engine is the only solution.

Drivetrain issues

In the event of a drivetrain problem, the vehicle can become uncontrollable and erratic. The transfer case in several SUVs has failed without warning, according to several drivers. There are other reports that describe how the drive shaft lost its center bearings and ultimately failed.

Malfunction of PCM

The Porsche PCM is another major issue that has not been resolved today. In particular, the 2016 Porsche Cayenne is most prone to random PCM rebooting problems. It appears that the PCM reboots randomly after turning on the engine for a few minutes.

As a result, the music may stop suddenly after a few minutes and start up again after another few minutes. Whether you own an old or new Porsche Cayenne, this problem is common.

Occasionally, the PCM reboot problem is caused by an update sent out by Sirius FM. It is also possible to experience this problem if you use an incompatible aftermarket PCM.  The PCM should restart after a few seconds if you press and hold the PCM button for around ten seconds.  Here are the steps you need to follow:

Choose PCM CAR > OPTION > Set PCM System > Reset PCM > Vehicle Handover > Yes > Yes

In order to solve the issue, you will have to replace the PCM, which costs around $3,090.

Coolant system problems

The cooling system of the first-generation Porsche Cayenne was criticized by some owners due to the plastic coolant pipes. It appears that the plastic coolant pipes are unable to handle high temperatures and will rupture or leak. There is a risk that other critical components will be damaged due to the leak of coolant.

Failed startup

Fuel pump failures were reported by frustrated owners of the Cayenne. If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle will not start or may stall and will need to be replaced.

Transmission Problems

It appears that Porsche Cayenne transmission problems suffer from gear problems, excessive vibration and shake, strange noise, and fluid leaks, per user complaints. There is no one size fits all solution to a problem.

In the event of gear slippage or slower gear changes, you will need to replace your gearbox, which will cost approximately $1,800 to $3,400. You should top off transmission fluid or replace faulty transmission parts if your SUV shakes during shifting gears. While driving in neutral, your Porsche may also make a grinding or humming noise. In addition, it can occur if the bearing loses its lubricity.

In many cases, the burning smell can be caused by frayed cables or overheating belts, both of which can be replaced for less money. Furthermore, the broken transmission may cause fluid leaks, which are clearly visible when a brown or red pool forms after parking the car. Repairing a leak will restore transmission functionality if that is the case.

Brake System

It is also common for Porsche Cayennes to develop premature brake wear after only 20,000 miles of use. There is a cost associated with replacing the brakes of a Porsche Cayenne that ranges between $605 and $837.

Routinely checking the brake pads’ condition will help you avoid these costly repairs. For optimum brake performance, you should also regularly check the brake fluid level.

Fuel Pump Issues

A high-pressure fuel pump is featured on newer Porsche Cayennes, while a low-pressure pump is featured on older models. It is possible for the low-pressure fuel pump to overheat over time, leading to the fuel pump shutting off. Damaged pump valves can also lead to failure of the newer one.

Fuel efficiency may be reduced, engine performance may be weaker, a whining noise may be heard, or the engine may stall, or starting the engine may be difficult. To fix this issue, you need to replace the fuel tank, which will cost between $3,697 and $4,000.

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Problem Counts by Year for Porsche Cayenne

According to Car Talk Community, these are the most commonly reported problems by owners. The most commonly reported issues are engine failures, electrical problems, and coolant line breaks.

Porsche Cayenne Year	Number of Complains Received on CarComplaints	Number of Complains Received on NHTSA	Reliability rating on Edmunds ( out of 5)
2003	0	4	4.3
2004	11	100	4.6
2005	2	39	4.7
2006	6	52	4.5
2008	4	40	4.8
2009	4	13	4.8
2010	2	1	4.7
2011	13	55	4.8
2012	6	34	4.6
2013	6	30	4.6
2014	5	40	4.6
2015	1	8	4.5
2016	6	21	4.1
2017	0	6	4.2
2018	1	7	4.1
2019	3	16	3.4
2020	2	7	3.4
2021	0	0	3.6
2022	0	0	3.6

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How reliable is the Porsche Cayenne?

Despite its luxury designation, the Porsche Cayenne was developed to be a daily driver for those looking for an SUV with more flair. Do you think it’s a reliable SUV? You can expect the Cayenne SUV to last 150,000 to 200,000 miles with proper maintenance and care. It is unfortunate that the Cayenne doesn’t rank highly in terms of pure reliability.

The Cayenne has the lowest reliability rating of all midsize luxury SUVs, with an average reliability rating of 1.5 out of 5.0. A large part of this is the high cost of ownership, which makes the Cayenne less reliable. There is no question that an average annual repair cost of $1,231 is on the higher end of the ownership cost spectrum. As well as having a higher frequency of repairs, the Cayenne also has a higher rate of serious repairs at 21%.

In spite of this, the overall reliability of the Porsche Cayenne depends on its maintenance. Cayenne owners have told us how pleased they are with their SUV purchase. In actuality, however, the Cayenne seems unreliable according to the data.

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Porsche Cayenne certified pre-owned (CPO) benefits

An extended warranty, rigorous inspection process, and added peace of mind are some of the benefits of buying a certified pre-owned Porsche Cayenne. Purchasing a CPO vehicle may have a higher upfront cost, but many buyers consider it worth it for its quality and reliability.

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FAQs

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Conclusion

Older models of cars should always be avoided, regardless of whether you are buying a new or used car. In the same way, the Porsche Cayenne follows the same rule. There are numerous problems with older Cayenne models, such as the 2004 model, while 2011 also has a problem.

Porsche Cayenne owners should avoid these years as they require expensive repairs and make driving annoying. Choosing a Porsche Cayenne from 2015 to 2023 will give you a luxurious and comfortable driving experience.