2014 Porsche Cayenne Problems and Complaints

2014 Porsche Cayenne SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and Which Year to Avoid

Senior Editor,

Updated on April 30, 2022

SUVs are most happening nowadays; especially luxury SUVs. Plush interior and practicality has always been their USP. And they are easy to drive in the cities. However, choosing the perfect SUV can be tough. On that note, the Porsche Cayenne enjoys a good reputation in the market. Cayenne sits at the top of the SUV lineup in the Porsche stable and for 2014 MY, the company has also introduced a high performance Turbo S model.

However, Porsche cut corners to meet the high demands. Although Porsche has fixed many problems with the new model year, some issues still exist. As a premium SUV, the 2014 Cayenne competes with the BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Audi Q7.

User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical Problems

Engine- Spark plug failures or busted ignition coils are common in Porsche engines. Besides this, customers also complained about difficulties in starting the engine, reduced performance, low fuel economy, misfires and grinding noise.
Fuel pumps- The high-pressure fuel pumps (HPFPs) stop working because of the failure of the valves or some defects inside the pump. When a fuel pump fails, problems like whining noise from the fuel pump, engine starting issues, sudden engine stalling, reduced fuel economy, and poor performance are imminent. In the worst cases, the engine may cease to function.
Thermostat- A thermostat helps with engine cooling and coolant distribution. Gasket failures are the main cause of thermostat failures. Common symptoms of thermostat failure include engine overheating, insufficient coolant flow, and a low coolant warning.
Coolant pipe and epoxy- Porsche has equipped their engines with plastic coolant pipes that fail and melt over time for some reason. It also uses synthetic epoxies with low thermal tolerance. As a result, it melts at high temperatures, causing many mechanical problems.
Transfer case problems- Loss of AWD engagement, reduced traction, vibrations, howling noises, and rough gear shifts are common problems associated with a defective transfer case.
Brakes- Common brake problems like premature brake pad wear, spongy brakes, squealing sounds, vibrations, and over-sensitive brakes were often reported.
Gearbox- Common manual gearbox issues include rough gear shifting, clunky gearboxes, broken seals, and loud noises while gear shifting. Customers who opted for automatic gearboxes have reported slipping transmissions, leaks, defective solenoids, and gearbox heating.

Safety Problems

Airbag- A contact from Temecula, California with NHTSA ID number 11354915 reported the sudden illumination of airbags without any collision.
Adaptive Cruise Control- This year, only one problem related to the ACCS has been reported. The contact stated that the vehicle brakes automatically while adaptive cruise control is activated. The contact further added that the problem continues even on empty roads. The buyer visited the local Porsche dealerships several times, but the problem wasn’t resolved.
Dashboard lights- A contact reported sudden turning on of warning lights after starting up. The contact visited the service center and had the vehicle examined. While no problems were found in the engine, the problem occurred due to a wiring problem.
Fuel meter- Some have raised complaints against inaccurate fuel levels and range because of problems with the fuel gauge. A contact complained that the fuel gauge indicated 50% fuel after he filled up his tank.
Steering- The soy-based wiring harness in the steering column is often chewed by rodents, causing electrical failures in the steering column. Many have reported fluid leaks from the steering column, whining noises, and stiff steering wheel.

Exterior Problems

Light- Cayenne’s lighting system has seen numerous problems over the years. Most have complained about condensation inside the headlights and taillights. Also, some have expressed their dissatisfaction with the weaker high beams while driving in darker conditions.
Paint and molding- Some have expressed concerns about the desaturation of exterior paint and the fading of chrome parts. In a particular instance, a buyer from Georgia complained about rusted exterior parts and separated exterior moldings in a 1-year-old Cayenne.

Recalls

2014 Cayenne has two recalls to its name. Fortunately, Porsche quickly addressed the problem by notifying owners and fixing it for free.

S. No.	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues noticed	Remarks	Remedy
1	October 17, 2013	13V506000	Uncalibrated gas gauge	Inaccurate fuel level may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stop, increasing the risk of a crash.	Porsche has notified the owners. Dealers have updated the instrument cluster for free.
2	March 23, 2016	16V169000	Loss of braking due to missing brake pedal circlip.	If the brake pedal separates, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, resulting in a crash.	Porsche has notified the owners. Dealers inspected the brake assembly circlip and installed the missing circlip for free.

Should you buy the 2014 Porsche Cayenne?

There are numerous premium SUV options in the market, but very few are as versatile as the 201 4 Porsche Cayenne. Despite all this, some have voiced their dissatisfaction. It had two recalls this year, and Porsche quickly fixed the problem for free. Porsche being Porsche is known for its engineering prowess and to add to that reputation, 2014 Cayenne also has scored 85/100 in J.D. Power reliability ratings.