2004 Porsche Cayenne recalls and problems

The 2004 Porsche Cayenne has 6 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Porsche dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

3 / 2

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Porsche Cayenne vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Porsche Cayenne recalls

Recall 22V-656: Exterior Lighting

Reported Aug 30, 2022 · 222,858 vehicles affected · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-446: Power Train

Reported Jun 12, 2019 · 99,665 vehicles affected · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Problem: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.

Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.

Recall 17V-576: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Sep 20, 2017 · 50,145 vehicles affected · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Problem: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles, 2004-2006 Cayenne vehicles, and 2006 Cayenne S "Titanium" Edition vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH10.

Recall 04V-593: Seat Belts

Reported Dec 15, 2004 · 31,000 vehicles affected · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." all three rear seat positions and the front passenger position are equipped with seat belt retractors that have a locking feature which converts the retractor from an emergency locking retractor (Elr) mode to an automatic locking retractor (Alr) mode for the purposes of child restraint installation. The belt may deactivate the alr mode with certain child restraints.

Risk: When involved in a crash, the child restraints may not be properly secured increasing the risk of injury or death to the seat occupant.

Fix: Dealers will permanently install a clip in either of the affected rear outboard seat belts and provide an owner's manual insert. The clips will prevent unwarranted conversion from alr to elr mode with child seat installation. The recall began may 17, 2005. Owners should contact porsche at 1-800-545-8039.

Recall 04V-231: Seat Belts

Reported May 17, 2004 · 19,175 vehicles affected · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the rear seat belt latch attachment bolt is insufficient riveted.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the belt buckle latch and, if necessary, replace the latch. Owner notification began on june 1, 2004. Owners should contact porsche at 1-800-545-8039.

Recall 04V-071: Power Train

Reported Feb 18, 2004 · 4,099 vehicles affected · PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles may have had a transfer case installed that could, due to changes in the housing casting, result in the oil pump rotation. Should this occur, oil starvation of the internal gears might result.

Risk: Continued operation of the vehicle could result in a fracture of the transfer case housing. Incorrect torque would then be applied to the driven wheels or oil could leak and contact the tires.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the transfer case housing and, if necessary, replace the transfer case. Owner notification began on may 3, 2004. Owners should contact porsche at 1-800-545-8039.

2004 Porsche Cayenne problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	10
Engine	9
Fuel/Propulsion System	8
Electrical System	6
Exterior Lighting	3
Air Bags	3
Suspension	2
Unknown or Other	2
Tires	1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1
Vehicle Speed Control	1
Engine and Engine Cooling	1

Most reported parts

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Unit — 1
Suspension › Front — 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 1
Power Train › Driveline — 1
Structure › Body — 1
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 91,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Porsche Cayenne complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported Aug 24, 2023

Strong odor of gasoline traveling through the vents injected into vehicle. Fuel filter has a crack. Underhood electrical problems that may cause a fire

Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness · reported Jan 6, 2023

The contact is a car seat technician. The contact worked with a family who owns a Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max Convertible Car Seat, as the technician was inspecting the car seat she noticed the chest clip was not working as needed. The magnetic piece that clips on the chest area comes out easily.

Steering · at 266,969 miles · reported Dec 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair appointment, he noticed that the steering wheel had a quarter inch of play. The U-Joint connection was severely corroded. The dealer diagnosed that the steering column and steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 266,969.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Nov 11, 2022

There is a significant smell of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was a recall on the same make, model, and year for fuel pump filter flange leaks, which are indicative of a strong smell of gas inside the car. This can potentially cause the car to start on fire. The dealer stated due to the VIN, the vehicle was not covered under the existing recall.

Exterior Lighting · at 170,000 miles · reported Nov 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting), 19V446000 (Power Train), and 17V576000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to read accurately. The headlamp wiring had been deteriorating causing the headlights to malfunction. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate…

Other Porsche Cayenne years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Porsche Cayenne have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2004 Porsche Cayenne: 22V-656 (exterior lighting), 19V-446 (power train), 17V-576 (fuel system, gasoline), 04V-593 (seat belts), 04V-231 (seat belts) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Porsche Cayenne?

Owners report power train problems most often (10 reports), followed by engine (9). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 91,000 miles.

Are Porsche recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Porsche dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.