What are the most common problems with the 2009 Porsche Cayenne?

The largest group in the complaints names the power train, and the electrical system comes next. See the problems section for what owners describe.

Does the 2009 Porsche Cayenne have recalls?

Yes, the by-year facts show recalls for this model year. The Recalls section lists them.

How many complaints does the 2009 Porsche Cayenne have?

NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on file. None mention a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Porsche Cayenne get?

See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.

Is the 2009 Porsche Cayenne reliable?

The complaint file is small at 15 reports, and the biggest group is the power train. Check the by-year comparison section to see how this year sits against others.

2009 Porsche Cayenne Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Porsche Cayenne^[1]. The biggest group names the power train, with 6 complaints^[2].

15owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[3]

13–16MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Power train. 6 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a shaft failing and the vehicle shaking, a car that would not leave park, and a harsh pause when shifting.
Electrical system. 4 complaints^[5]. Owners describe dash warnings, electronics that cut out and restart, and aging wiring behind a headlamp. One story is about a mileage mismatch after a dealer sale.
Unknown or other. 2 complaints^[6]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
Fuel system, gasoline. 2 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a strong fuel smell inside the cabin, and one story mentions a leak near the tank.
Fuel/propulsion system. 2 complaints^[8]. We did not read stories from this group.
Electronic stability control. 1 complaint^[9].
Tires. 1 complaint^[10].
Equipment. 1 complaint^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2009 Cayenne is necessarily included.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights (22V656), August 2022. About 222,858 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) (19V446), June 2019. About 99,665 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Cayenne, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[4]	14 / 20 / 16	$5,150
Cayenne, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[14]	14 / 20 / 16	$5,150
Cayenne GTS, 4.8L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[15]	11 / 17 / 13	$6,300
Cayenne GTS, 4.8L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[16]	13 / 18 / 15	$5,500
Cayenne S, 4.8L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[17]	13 / 19 / 15	$5,500
Cayenne Turbo, 4.8L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[18]	12 / 19 / 14	$5,850
Cayenne Turbo S, 4.8L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[19]	12 / 19 / 14	$5,850

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR AWD^[20].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
CAYENNE 4DR SUV /S/GTS^[21]	189 in	76 in	67 in	112 in	4,784 lb
CAYENNE TURBO 4DR SUV^[22]	189 in	76 in	67 in	112 in	5,192 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cayenne model year. The 2009 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2003	7	9
2004	101	9
2005	46	4
2006	55	3
2007	1	0
2008	42	3
2009	15	2
2010	1	2
2011	59	5
2012	36	5
2013	40	3
2014	53	3
2015	15	3
2016	40	2
2017	19	2
2018	14	1
2019	46	8
2020	25	6
2021	21	7
2022	4	3
2023	5	2
2024	5	5
2025	6	2
2026	5	1

NHTSA's counts for the Cayenne show 15 complaints and 2 recalls for 2009^[3]. Among the 24 model years listed, 9 have fewer complaints than 2009 and 13 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2007 (1) and the most are for 2004 (101)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2009 Cayenne?

The complaint file is small, with 15 reports in total, and none mention a crash, a fire, an injury or a death^[1]. The power train group is the largest^[2], followed by the electrical system^[5]. These are unverified owner reports, so treat them as clues. Recalls exist for this year, and the by-year facts count them^[3]. A pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step for any used example.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Porsche Cayenne?: The largest group in the complaints names the power train^[2], and the electrical system comes next^[5]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
Does the 2009 Porsche Cayenne have recalls?: Yes, the by-year facts show recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section lists them.
How many complaints does the 2009 Porsche Cayenne have?: NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on file^[1]. None mention a crash, a fire, an injury or a death^[1].
What gas mileage does the 2009 Porsche Cayenne get?: See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2009 Porsche Cayenne reliable?: The complaint file is small at 15 reports^[1], and the biggest group is the power train^[2]. Check the by-year comparison section to see how this year sits against others.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Porsche Cayenne

2006 55 complaints, 3 recalls
2009 this page
2014 53 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 40 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 19 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Porsche Cayenne

All Porsche models

Similar cars from 2009: suvs

2009 Subaru Tribeca 14 complaints, 9 recalls
2009 Acura MDX 52 complaints, 0 recalls
2009 BMW X6 22 complaints, 11 recalls
2009 Buick Enclave 220 complaints, 8 recalls
2009 Chevrolet HHR 508 complaints, 4 recalls
2009 Chevrolet Traverse 448 complaints, 8 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Porsche Cayenne (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Porsche Cayenne model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Cayenne, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the equipment component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V656, filed August 30, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V446, filed June 12, 2019: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Cayenne, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cayenne GTS, 4.8L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 17 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $6,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cayenne GTS, 4.8L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cayenne S, 4.8L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cayenne Turbo, 4.8L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 19 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cayenne Turbo S, 4.8L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 19 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAYENNE 4DR SUV /S/GTS: length 189 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,784 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAYENNE TURBO 4DR SUV: length 189 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 5,192 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2009 Porsche Cayenne: problems, recalls and fuel economy