2013 Porsche Cayenne Problems and Complaints

Senior Editor,

Updated on May 13, 2022

When the Cayenne first came out back in the early 2000s, it caused a massive stir in the automotive world. Its unique design has inspired modern-day crossovers and also its performance that was rivaled by none except the AMG version of the hulking ML-Class from Mercedes. Since then, the Cayenne has become a standard for luxury crossovers in the industry; thanks to its great performance, excellent interior quality, and exceptional handling characteristics.

However, it was not the perfect overall vehicle and had its share of problems. This is a matter of concern for Porsche’s branding since repair costs for Porsches are exorbitantly high, even for the smallest of issues. With 2 major recalls and 28 official complaints, the 2013 Cayenne is still slightly more reliable than its other iterations but is far from perfect.

User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical Problems

Transmission - The most common complaint received officially and non-officially was regarding the faulty transfer cases in the 2013 Cayenne. Users complain about delays in between gear shifts, unpleasant grinding noises from the transmission while accelerating, and a burning smell or whistling noises from the engine bay. Porsche has recognized the issue and insists on getting their Cayenne checked at regular intervals. The fix, however, can cost almost $7000, which is very expensive when compared with other vehicles in its segment.
Oil leaks- In a particular instance, a contact from Evanston noticed oil leaks from the engine bay. This is due to disruption of subframe and suspension components.
Engine- Some have complained about chain rattling noises and the engine sputters. This resulted in the vehicle jerking suddenly when the throttle was pressed.

Electrical Problems

Fuel Gauge - In some models, the information cluster would show higher than true values of fuel left and distance to empty. This could lead to the driver being misled and the vehicle stalling when it is out of fuel, thus increasing the chances of accidents. It was due to a software error that fed wrong readings from the sensor.
Display unit- In some cars, the display unit stopped functioning properly. And as a result it kept on rebooting.

Safety Problems

Seatbelt- In some instances, the driver seat belt fails to latch on properly. This was a common issue and it received multiple complaints.
Brake - A missing circlip in the pedal resulted in the brake pedal getting dislodged, thus diminishing braking performance. Moreover, the brakes feel spongy after continuous usage due to wear and tear.

Recalls

S No.	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues noticed	Remarks	Remedy
1	December 5, 2013	13V506000	Gas Gauge Calibration	The calculated range of the remaining fuel displayed on the instrument cluster may be higher than the actual range. Additionally, the fuel level indicated by the fuel gauge may also be higher than the actual amount in the tank.	Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software free of charge.
2	July 28, 2016	16V169000	Missing Brake Pedal Clip can cause loss of braking	The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge. This could reduce braking performance and increase the chances of crashing	Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly circlip, installing any missing circlips, free of charge.

Should you buy the 2013 Porsche Cayenne?

The Cayenne has been a great luxury crossover and Porsche has seen its customer base grow continuously due to its great performance and handling. However, it does perform average in some key aspects. In the case of the 2013 Cayenne, the transmission failure is a big issue that can be expensive to repair, thus ruining the experience of owning one. Therefore, it is safe to recommend the 2013 Cayenne only if the owner has a record of the vehicle’s condition, whether it has been serviced at regular intervals. And also the person should have a pocket deep enough to have the money to fix the Cayenne, should any issue arise. Otherwise, 2013 Porsche Cayenne is a great SUV to choose from amongst its well-known German rivals.