5 Porsche Models With MOST Recalls (Check Before Buying)

When you mention the name “Porsche”, what comes to mind is luxury, wealth and sports cars. The German automaker has been responsible for manufacturing many powerful cars over the years. However, Porsche makes SUVs and coupes too.

Although many Porsche vehicles are sports cars, you can use them for daily city commuting. Unfortunately, not even a car as powerful as a Porsche is free from recalls.

Porsche vehicles have been recalled 593 times. This covers about 1.7% of all vehicle recalls by the NHTSA. Also, Porsche ranks number 21 in number of recalls by any car brand.

This article discusses the most recalled Porsche models.

1. Porsche 911

The 911 is arguably the most popular Porsche in the world. It is a high performance sports car with a rear engine. Most people around the world would recognize the 911 anywhere-think of it as the F150 of sports cars.

J.D. Power ranks the Porsche 911 number 2 in premium sporty cars, with an 84 out of 100 rating. Let’s talk recalls.

Number of Recalls

The 911 is the most recalled Porsche out there with 43 recalls. This contributes about 7.3% of all Porsche recalls. The 1989 model year has 5 recalls. This is the highest for any model year.

Next to it are the 1992, 1991 and 1990 models, which all have 4 recalls each. The aforementioned model years alone make up 39.5% of all 911 recalls.

Other model years that have 3, 2 or 1 recalls are listed below. Note that model years not mentioned have no recalls.

For 3 recalls: 2017 and 1996 model years.

For 2 recalls: 2016, 1993, 1979, 1977 and 1976 model years.

For 1 recall: 2018, 2015, 2014, 2000, 1999, 1994, 1984, 1983, 1978 and 1975 model years.

These are the most common 911 problems responsible for the recalls:

• Airbags: The airbags may not deploy during a crash. This may be because the side airbag inflator initiator can fail if the car crashes. Also, the airbag impact sensors may not be properly attached to the vehicle. Technicians may equip the electronic control unit with a faulty capacitor. This can either deactivate the airbags or cause them to deploy unexpectedly.
• Steering: A part of the steering column may have a crack which would have occurred during production.
• Electrical system: The resistor for the heater blower can get overloaded when the rear heater blower seizes.
• Hood: During production, the company did not manufacture the lock components of the hood according to the car’s specification. This can prevent the hood from locking properly.
• Hoses: The rear wheels may not lock despite an active anti-lock brake system. This occurs because the hydraulic brake’s pressure reduction valve slows down the hydraulic pressure reduction rate. The fuel line can also get damaged if it comes in contact with the brake pad’s indicator wire bracket.

Related: 5 Subaru Models With Most Recalls (Check Before Buying)

2. Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is a midsize SUV that has been in production since 2002. Though it’s not the cheapest Porsche, it is more affordable relative to its siblings like the 911.

The Cayenne displays a more reserved appearance than other Porsches, yet delivers exceptional performance. Below, we’ve analyzed its recalls.

The 2004, 2005, 2011, and 2012 models are the worst years for Porsche Cayenne.

Number of Recalls

The Porsche Cayenne has 40 recalls. It is 2^nd only to the 911 and is responsible for about 6.7% of all Porsche recalls.

The 2019 Porsche Cayenne is the most recalled model year, having been recalled 8 times. Second to it is the 2004 model year with 6 recalls. Both models alone account for 35% of all Cayenne recalls, hence, they contain the bulk of the recalls.

We have listed other model years that have 3, 2 or 1 recalls below.

For 3 recalls: 2012 and 2005 model years.

For 2 recalls: 2020, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2008 and 2006 model years.

For 1 recall: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2010, 2009 and 2003 model years.

Note that model years not mentioned have no recalls.

These are the most common reasons for recalls across all model years:

• Service brakes: The pivot pin for the brake pedal may not be fully equipped with the required components. This may cause the brake pedal to be forcefully displaced. Also, a sign of the brake pads wearing out may not be present and this goes against federal safety standards.
• Automatic transmission: It may be possible for the shift lever to be moved to Park, and the key removed. This is possible even when the transmission is not really in Park. This occurs when the components connecting the gear selector lever to the gearbox get degraded.
• Gasoline: The fuel pump flange may crack over time and let fuel leak. The turbine shaft might fracture and decrease overall performance because of a casting defect.

Other reasons involve the:

• Electrical system
• Instrument panel

Related: 5 Volvo Models With The Most Recalls (Check Before Buying!)

3. Porsche Panamera

People often compare the Panamera with the Mercedes S class. Although its production only started in 2009, the car has made a pretty big name for itself. There have been two generations of the Panamera and the company has sold over 6,000 cars in the United States.

Now, let’s see how often the Panamera gets recalled.

Number of Recalls

The Porsche Panamera has been recalled 32 times. This takes up about 5.4% of all Porsche recalls.

The 2018 Panamera has 9 recalls, while the 2017 model year has 5. Both models take the 1^st and 2^nd positions respectively, and they also make up 43.75% of all Panamera recalls.

Next to them on the list are the 2012 and 2011 models with 4 recalls each.

We have listed other model years that have 3, 2 or 1 recalls below. Note that model years not mentioned have no recalls.

For 3 recalls: 2016 model year.

For 2 recalls: 2015, 2014 and 2013 model years.

For 1 recall: 2010 model year.

These are the common problems responsible for most of the recalls:

• Electrical system: The control unit of certain Panameras may not be soldered properly. This can cause several components of the car to fail and prevent optimal performance. Water can sometimes find its way to the air conditioning control unit, causing a disruption in operations.
• Power train: A warning message may not come even if the key is removed from the ignition when the car is not in Park. This occurs when the components of the power train degrade over time.
• Service brakes: The front axle brake lines are susceptible to corrosion. This corrosion causes the brake’s performance to deteriorate.
• Electric power assist system: The electrical power steering assist may fail because of a software failure.

Related: 5 Mercedes Models With The Most Recalls (Check Before Buying!)

4. Porsche Cayenne S

The Cayenne S is a trim variant of the Porsche Cayenne. The difference, of course, lies mainly in the engine and transmission power.

The Cayenne S, however, has greater sports abilities such as more responsive acceleration than its base variant.

Number of Recalls

The Cayenne S has been recalled 29 times over the years. Out of the total number of Porsche recalls, the Cayenne S alone occupies about 4.9%.

The 2004 and 2003 Cayenne Ss both have 9 recalls each. They account for about 62.1% of all Cayenne S recalls. Such a percentage is quite alarming for only 2 model years.

Other model years that have 3, 2 or 1 recalls are listed below. Note that model years not mentioned have no recalls.

For 3 recalls: 2011 and 2005 model years

For 2 recalls: 2019 and 2006 model years

For 1 recall: 2012 model year

The most common reasons for recalls are:

• Fuel system: The connection between the tank filler and the connecting pipe to the fuel tank may be faulty. This faulty connection can cause sparks when the fuel tank is being refilled.
• Power train: The internal gears may be deprived of oil. This occurs because the transfer case could cause oil pump rotation due to changes in the housing casting.
• Seat belts: In some model years, namely the 2003, 2004 and 2005 model years, the seatbelt might deactivate the ALR mode. The seatbelt latch bolt may be insufficiently fastened.
• Engine
• Equipment
• Exterior lighting

5. Porsche Cayenne Turbo

The Cayenne Turbo is another variant of the Porsche Cayenne on the list. It packs more power than the Porsche Cayenne and the Cayenne S itself.

The 2021 Cayenne Turbo is said to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. This is 1 second faster than the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S and 2 seconds quicker than the 2021 Cayenne base.

Number of Recalls

The Cayenne Turbo has 27 recalls to its name. This covers about 4.6% of all 593 Porsche recalls over the years. The 2004 has 9 recalls, the 2003 also has 9 recalls, and both models contribute 66.7% to all Cayenne Turbo recalls.

This means that two-thirds of all Cayenne Turbo recalls come from only 2 model years.

Other model years that have 3, 2 or 1 recalls are listed below. Note that model years not mentioned have no recalls.

For 3 recalls: 2011 and 2005 model years.

For 2 recalls: 2006 model year.

For 1 recall: 2012 model year.

These are the usual reasons for recalls:

• Fuel system
• Automatic transmission
• Seatbelts
• Electrical system
• Engine

The above listed reasons for recalls are similar or the same as the reasons already explained for other models.

Additional Information

Other Porsche models with quite several recalls are the Porsche Panamera 4S with 24 recalls, and the Porsche 928 and Porsche Panamera Turbo with 23 recalls each.

Final Thoughts

The Porsche Cayenne has three different variants on the list. This may signify that the Cayenne is the Porsche model with the most troubling manufacturing defects.

However, it might be so because it is affordable and attracts more buyers/owners who catch more issues, as is usually the case with highly patronized vehicles.

The SUV lineup also appears to have more recalls than the sports cars.

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