TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. CARE CLUNKS/DRAGS IN LOW GEARS.
2012 Porsche Cayenne powertrain problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
THE PORSCHE DEALER INFORMED ME THE BUMPING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING IS THE TRANSFER CASE. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL 2012 CAYENNE CARS. THE TRANSFER CASE WILL MAKE THE BUMPING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. IT WILL EVENTUALLY SLIP TO THE DANGEROUS POINT. THIS IS WHEN YOU ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSFER CASE ONLY SLIPS AND LEAVES THE SITTING IN TRAFFIC UNABLE TO MOVE. THE REPAIR IS $5000 AND…
THE TRANSFER CASE IN THIS CAR IS FAILING AT 53,000 MILES CAUSING UNSAFE, JERKING ACCELERATION LEADING TO TOTAL BREAKDOWN/SHUTDOWN IF NOT CORRECTED. NUMEROUS OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGES THE DEFECT AND IS NOW PROVIDING NEWLY DESIGNED REPAIR PARTS DESCRIBED AS PERMANENTLY SOLVING THE PROBLEM AND COVERED BY A 2-YEAR WARRANTY AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $5,500 RETAIL
CAR HAD A SKIPPING FEELING WHEN DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 20,000 MILES AND TRANSFER BOX HAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY CHARGED ME 4660.47 FOR THE REPLACEMENT CLAIMING THE FIVE YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED AND USED DURING THE WINTER. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO PORSCHE THEY SENT ME A CHECK FOR $950.
CLUNKING / SURGING (ALMOST FEELS LIKE A MISFIRE) AFTER CAR WARMS UP IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. SEEMS TO BE WITH THE TRANSFER CASE. PURCHASES CAR USED 30 DAYS AGO AND THIS ISSUE STARTED TO APPEAR AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. NOW FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH CAYENNES.
2012 PORSCHE CAYENNE WITH 47,000 MILES. NOTICED JERKING WHEN TURNING LEFT AND SOME SLIPPAGE IN TRANSMISSION. IT GOT WORSE IN THE COMING DAYS AND BECAME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE DUE TO HANDLING AND POWER TRAIN SURGES. I TOOK IT TO SOUTHPOINT PORSCHE IN DURHAM, NC, THIS WEEK AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW $4,435 TRANSFER CASE. A LOCAL PORSCHE SHOP DIRECTED ME TO REVIEWS WHICH NOTE THE SAME 'KNOWN' ISSUE - D…
THE TRANSFER CASE IN THIS CAR IS FAILING AT 53,000 MILES CAUSING UNSAFE, JERKING ACCELERATION LEADING TO TOTAL BREAKDOWN/SHUTDOWN IF NOT CORRECTED. NUMEROUS OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGES THE DEFECT AND IS NOW PROVIDING NEWLY DESIGNED REPAIR PARTS DESCRIBED AS PERMANENTLY SOLVING THE PROBLEM AND COVERED BY A 2-YEAR WARRANTY AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $5,500 RETAIL.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 Porsche Cayenne?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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