Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and engine. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Porsche Cayenne: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2020's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Porsche Cayenne. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 6-cylGas | AWD | 20 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylGas | AWD | 20 mpg |
| 4.0L 8-cylGas | AWD | 17 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 420 mi range |
| 4.0L 8-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 360 mi range |
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Porsche Cayenne, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The car lurches or surges forward just before it stops, as the transmission downshifts from second to first. Some reports also describe a jolt on the third-to-second downshift. It happens with the brake pedal pressed, in every drive mode, and the size of the surge is hard to predict. That makes stop-and-go traffic risky, since the car can roll a few feet closer to the vehicle or pedestrian ahead. Other reports describe a rough idle that shakes the whole car, and one says the check engine light came on. Dealers have either called it normal or mentioned a possible software fix.
The trunk pops open by itself while the car is moving, and one such report is tied to a crash. Other failures include a factory tow package whose 7-way connector will not talk to a trailer brake controller, with one owner reporting a shock from it. The 360-degree camera system fails on and off, losing the front view, the rear view, or both, even after modules or cameras are replaced under warranty. Some owners also say the battery dies after the car sits about 48 hours, and repeat dealer visits and a software update have not fixed it.
Coolant leaks lead to overheating and very expensive repairs. A leaking coolant hose on top of the engine can overheat it, even at low mileage, and reaching the hose means removing several engine parts. On the 4.0L V8, water pump failures also repeat about every 30,000 miles, including on redesigned replacement pumps. Repairs cost thousands because much of the front end has to come off to reach the pump. Getting parts can take several weeks.
Excerpts from complaints Cayenne owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Everytime when vehicle coming to a stop car lurches forward few feets. It just happens when car downshifts from second to first gear transmission pushes you forward few feets, You just need to be very carefull because it can push you into another vehicle or pedastrian. Porsche is aware of it and have a software update in Europe only but not in USA
Filed with NHTSA, November 2024
The car is very jerky, I bought in for engine or transmission mount because the idle shakes the whole car. They said its normal. Which I don't think it's normal.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
hello i have cayenne 2020. this car has 360 surround view camera but its not working correctly. sometime its working sometimes some comeras not working maybe front maybe rear meybe both. as i read rennlist this is porshe forum everyone has same problem porshe in warranty replace modules or cameras but its not working i think its recall issue please help us.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2024
A coolant hose located on the top of the engine developed a leak that caused the engine to overheat. It was necessary to remove several components of the engine to reach and replace the leaking hose. This repair cost over 5000 dollars with the associated labor cost. Vehicle had less than 6000 miles on it at the time of the incident. It took several weeks to get the needed parts.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks second for owner complaints among 8 Cayenne years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the second model year of the Cayenne's third generation (2019–2023).
Porsche updated the Cayenne for 2023, so a 2020 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2023 (not on a 2020)
Recall repairs are free at any Porsche dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2019-2025 Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, 2020-2025 911, Taycan, 2024-2025 Panamera, and 2025 Panamera E-Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the driver assistance software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ASB2. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 19, 2026.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling various models and model years. Please see the recall report for a list of the included vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 24, 2024. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, anticipated mid-2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is APB6.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne GTS, Cayenne GTS Coupe, 2020-2021 Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe vehicles. The passenger seat back heating element was not installed and may impact the calibration of the Occupant Classification System.
Risk: The front passenger air bag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will install a heating element, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB0.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cayenne Turbo and 2020 Cayenne Turbo Coupe, Turbo S Hybrid and Turbo S Hybrid Coupe vehicles. The fuel line quick connector located in the engine compartment may leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line and quick connector, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ALA4.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020 Cayenne vehicles. An insufficient weld on a transmission oil pipe may cause the vehicle to leak automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
Risk: If transmission fluid leaks while driving, the road surface may be made slippery, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil pipe and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ALA5.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 Panamera 4, Panamera Turbo, Panamera Turbo Executive, 2017-2018 Panamera, Panamera 4S Executive, Panamera 4S, 2018 Panamera Turbo S Hybrid, Panamera 4 Hybrid Sport Turismo, Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, Panamera Turbo S Hybrid Sport Turismo, Panamera 4 Hybrid, Panamera 4 Executive, 2019 Cayenne Hybrid, 2019-2020 Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2020 Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne Turbo Coupe, and Cayenne S Coupe vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide a visual warning when the brake pads are worn out. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems.".
Risk: If the driver is not alerted when brake pads are worn out, the vehicle may not respond as expected when braking, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall is began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB8. Note: This recall supersedes recall 19V115 and includes vehicles that were previously remedied under that campaign.
Cars shoppers compare with the Porsche Cayenne, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
