Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Headlight Adjustment Screw Missing Cover/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
Missing Brake Pedal Clip may cause Loss of Braking
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG02.
Turbine Wheels
- Summary
- PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 PANAMERA TURBO, 2012 PANAMERA TURBO S, AND 2012 CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES. 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.
- Consequence
- IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.
- Remedy
- PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURBINE WHEELS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.
HEADLAMP MODULE
- Summary
- PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CAYENNE, CAYENNE S, CAYENNE S HYBRID, AND CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 8, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2012 BECAUSE THE HEADLAMPS MAY COME LOOSE AND DETACH FROM THE FENDER.
- Consequence
- A DETACHED HEADLIGHT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP LOCKING ASSEMBLIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (33)
33 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 33 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 17 | 51.5% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 21.2% |
| Engine | 5 | 15.2% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 9.1% |
| Seats | 2 | 6.1% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 3% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
How 2012 compares with other Cayenne years
Best and worst Cayenne years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 32 | 3 |
| 2009 | 15 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 | 2 |
| 2011 | 47 | 4 |
| 2012 | 33 | 4 |
| 2013 | 40 | 3 |
| 2014 | 53 | 3 |
| 2015 | 14 | 3 |
| 2016 | 40 | 2 |
| 2017 | 17 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 24 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | $4,850 | 523 |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | $4,850 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Cayenne for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Porsche Cayenne FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 22V656000 (lighting), 16V169000 (brake), 12V329000 (engine), 12V065000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Porsche Cayenne problems?
Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (17), Unknown or other (7), Engine (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Porsche Cayenne get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 20 city, 24 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2012 Cayenne compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Porsche Cayenne model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2014 the most (53). The 2012 drew 33. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.