2012 Porsche cayenne s
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Porsche cayenne s is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
2012 Porsche cayenne s at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2012 Porsche cayenne s recalls 2
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 ad…
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2012 Porsche cayenne s common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2012 Porsche cayenne s MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2012 Porsche cayenne s costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2012 Porsche cayenne s — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that…
NHTSA #DP22005 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 514
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 514.
Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C40 engine oils are allocated.
Bulletin No. 28-26 · Power Train, Engine · Sep 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C20 engine oils are allocated.
Bulletin No. 27-26 · Power Train, Engine · Sep 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils. Note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which C30 engine oils are allocated.
Bulletin No. 26-26 · Power Train, Engine · Sep 2026Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche A40 Engine Oils. Note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which A40 engine oils are assigned. Model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.
Bulletin No. 25-26 · Power Train, Engine · Sep 2026Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q3 2026 Software Spec Update Available
Bulletin SPTL2609 · Steering, Suspension, Wheels · Sep 2026Technical Information for Damage to Nano Plug Contacts Due to Utilization of Incorrect Measuring Equipment
Bulletin No. 12-26 · Electrical System · Sep 2026Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers
Bulletin SPTL2314a · Aug 2026Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available
Bulletin SPTL2608 · Steering, Suspension, Wheels · Aug 2026Product Knowledge for Model Type Designations
Bulletin GR16D8a · Aug 2026Product Knowledge for Chassis/VIN Numbering Systems
Bulletin GR16D8 · Aug 2026Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CAYENNE S AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2012 Porsche cayenne s. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Engine
On certain vehicles, the fasteners of the camshaft adjusters could fail due to an assembly problem. If this occurs, this could cause abnormal engine noises, vibrations, illumination of the check engine light and could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the fastening screws of the…
Transport Canada #2017296 · Jun 2017Brakes
On certain vehicles, a circlip at the brake pedal hinge may not have been installed at the time of assembly. This could allow the pivot pin to move out of position, which would allow the pedal to wobble, and could fracture the brake pedal pivot through continued use. A fractured hinge would allow the pedal to separate from its pivot, which could lead to impaired brake function…
Transport Canada #2016131 · Mar 2016Lights And Instruments
On certain vehicles, the headlamp assemblies may not have been secured correctly during vehicle assembly. As a result, the headlamps could loosen and detach from the vehicle, which could compromise the driver's ability to see the road and its users. In addition, the errant headlamp module could strike a vehicle, a stationary object, or a bystander. These issues could result in…
Transport Canada #2012070 · Feb 2012Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.