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2004 Porsche Cayenne: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Cayenne years.
One of the Porsche Cayenne years to avoid. All Cayenne years
101 owner complaints, most about power train. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Cayenne?The 2004 Porsche Cayenne has 101 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Porsche Cayenne vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Cayenne years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the Cayenne?
Across the 23 Cayenne model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2010) to 238 (2016). With 101 complaints, the 2004 Cayenne sits above the model's median of 55.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 Cayenne
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 04V071000CERTAIN 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.
seat belts:rear/other
Campaign 04V231000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT IS INSUFFICIENT RIVETED.
power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Campaign 19V446000Porsche 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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 17V576000Porsche 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.
Show 2 more recalls
seat belts
Campaign 04V593000CERTAIN 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.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 22V656000Porsche 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."
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and ownership context. For newer models (approximately 2019+), feedback is mixed to negative, with very frequent and severe criticism directed at the latest infotainment and control systems.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Cayenne. See the full Cayenne owner picture and every model year.
Other Cayenne model years
Compare every Cayenne year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Cayenne against its rivals
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