Recalls: Porsche Mk.1 Cayenne
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Porsche Mk.1 Cayenne
2003 model year Porsche 9PA Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo: short circuit
In March 2004, a recall was issued for model year 2003 Porsche Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles. In these vehicles, the wiring loom adjacent to the foot-operated park brake spring could potentially chafe, causing a short circuit and fire hazard (PRA 2004/6895).
2003-04 model year Porsche 9PA Cayenne: rear seatbelt
In May 2004, a recall was issued for 2003 and 2004 model year Porsche Cayenne, Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo models manufactured up to 12 December 2003. For these vehicles, the rear safety belt systems may have been fitted with belt locks on which the bolt was not riveted; vibrations could therefore cause the bolt to work its way out of the lock mount (PRA 2004/7017).
2008 model year Porsche 9PA Cayenne V6: potential fuel leak
In February 2008, a recall was issued for 2008 model year Porsche Cayenne vehicles fitted with V6 engines. For these vehicles, a fuel line in the plenum panel may be in contact with the rear engine compartment cover. As a result, relative movements of the engine while driving could cause knocking noises and visible signs of chafing on the fuel line. Furthermore, the fuel line could start to leak over the service life of the vehicle (PRA 2008/9834).
2002-10 Porsche 9PA Cayenne: transmission may not engage park
In July 2019, recall campaign AKB1 was issued for Porsche 9PA Cayenne vehicles that were available for sale from 23 July 2002 to 5 February 2010. The plastic sleeve of the selector lever cable may not be durable throughout the service life of the vehicle. If the plastic sleeve broke, the transmission may not change into ‘park’ when the driver shifted the lever into the ‘park’ position. The vehicle could therefore unintentionally roll away, posing a hazard to vehicle occupants and others. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17657.
Problems and faults: Porsche Mk.1 Cayenne
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Porsche Cayenne Diesel engine: NOx emissions “defeat device”
Porsche Cayenne vehicles powered by 3.0-litre diesel V6 engines (engine code: CASSA) that were available for sale from 2009 to 2010 have software in the electronic control module (ECM) that can sense – via sensors measuring the position of the steering wheel, vehicle speed, the duration of the engine’s operation and barometric pressure – when the vehicle is undergoing emissions testing. The ECM then operates in a low NOx “temperature conditioning” mode to satisfy emissions standards.
At exactly one second after the completion of the initial phases of the standard test procedure, the software immediately switches to a “normal mode” and changes a number of operating parameters that increased NOx emissions. In other tests where the vehicle did not experience driving conditions similar to the start of the emissions testing procedure, the emissions were higher from the start, consistent with the operation and existence of a “normal mode”.
The software on these vehicles constitutes a “defeat device” since it is an Auxiliary Emissions Control Device (AECD) designed to circumvent emissions testing. Volkswagen has admitted that all its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engines from ‘model years’ 2009 through to 2016 have defeat devices.
Bore scoring
For pre-2004 Porsche Cayenne models with the 4.5-litre V8 petrol engine, there have been reports of bore scoring, i.e. where a piston or pistons overheating (due to a lack of oil or coolant), causing the piston coating to melt and scores the cylinder wall. As a result, the engine has needed to be replaced.
Oil consumption
A technical service bulletin was issued for ‘2005 model year’ Cayenne S vehicles due to high oil consumption. In these vehicles, faulty oil scraper rings may have been installed in engines that were produced from 14 June 2004 to 9 July 2004, resulting in oil consumption in excess of 2 litres per 1000 km. To fix, the oil scraper rings were to be replaced. The affected vehicles could be identified as follows:
- Engine numbers: from M48/00 81 5 02130 to M48/00 81 5 03807; and,
- VINs: from 9P 15L A6 0626 to 9P 75L A6 1831.
Problems and faults: Porsche Mk.1 Cayenne
- For models with turbocharged engines, oil may leak from the pressure hose such that the hose needs to be replaced.
- A thumping noise when decelerating after a brief period of acceleration may be attributable to the transfer case differential lock. If so, the differential lock requires reprogramming.
- The heated rear window can interfere with the operation of the radio aerial. If the radio stops working when the rear window heating is turned on, the rear window requires replacement.
- High tyre wear is considered normal for the Cayenne – tyre life may be as low as 20,000 kms.
Rumbling or clicking noises from the right front door area may be caused by the active chassis control system and is considered normal. - For models fitted with rear monitors, the audio may be distorted when viewing movies – improved monitors were subsequently released.
