Porsche›Cayenne›2004›Overview/porsche/cayenne/2004/base/

2004 Porsche Cayenne

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Cayenne.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2004 Porsche Cayenne is an SUV equipped with an automatic 5-speed transmission and EPA estimates of 14/18/15 mpg. Over the model’s 2003–2026 complaint history, the 2004 model year registers the highest owner-reported complaint volume at 101—far exceeding the single complaint logged for 2010—with powertrain issues ranking as the top concern and nine recalls on file. That volume places the 2004 Cayenne at the most heavily documented end of the nameplate’s reliability spectrum, establishing it as the benchmark for the model’s most concentrated period of owner-reported complaints.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque118 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy14/18/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 640 CCA battery, TERM low-beam bulbs, OE oil filter 0PB115499A. Note the factory battery is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 640 CCAOEM · verified

Low beam bulbTERMOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	0PB115499A alt 95510731300
Engine air filter	95511013110
Fuel filter	PCG980201A
Spark plug	99917022190 alt 99917021890
Battery	99961109520 discontinued
Front wiper blades	95562893904
Serpentine belt	99919238050 alt 95510293300
Thermostat	95510611900 alt 95510611300
Cabin air filter	95581963100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	188.6 in
Overall width	76 in
Overall height	66.9 in
Wheelbase	112.6 in
Curb weight	4949 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.6 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	14 / 18 / 15 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Cayenne of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.3–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.30 sec — 2004 S V8

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2004	S V8 4.5L V8	7.30 sec	15.40 sec	340 hp	AWD
2004	S V8 4.5L V8	7.50 sec	15.41 sec	340 hp	AWD
2003	Turbo V8 4.5L Twin-Turbo V8	5.00 sec	13.50 sec	450 hp	AWD
2003	Turbo V8 4.5L Twin-Turbo V8	5.40 sec	13.79 sec	450 hp	AWD
2003	S V8 4.5L V8	6.90 sec	14.90 sec	340 hp	AWD
2003	S V8 4.5L V8	7.00 sec	15.30 sec	340 hp	AWD
2005	Turbo V8 4.5L Twin-Turbo V8	5.10 sec	13.60 sec	450 hp	AWD
2005	S V8 4.5L V8	6.60 sec	15.00 sec	340 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 118 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 37.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.5 Pints,
Engine Coolant	FILLED WITH PORSCHE LIFTIME COOLANT

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	30.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	37.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	118 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-2-4-3-5
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug Gap	0.063 in
Spark Plug Gap	0.063 in
Spark Plug Torque	19.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number	94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	640 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	740 cca

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.079 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	37.0 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	37.0 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
3	Loosen all bolts 360 degrees	360 degrees
4	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
5	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
6	90 degrees	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill)
At 20,000 mi	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
At 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Final Drive (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 144,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
At 200,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 model year represents the absolute peak in consumer reporting within the provided federal record, surging to 101 complaints and 9 recalls compared to just 2 complaints and 2 recalls in 2003. This activity level exceeds all subsequent years listed, including the 2005 model's 42 complaints and the 2011 spike of 62 complaints, marking it as the most reported year in the dataset. Primary reporting areas for 2004 include Power Train, Fuel/Propulsion System, and Engine categories, though the provided data does not specify the root causes for these failures. With 3 fire complaints and 2 open investigations, the 2004 record indicates heightened regulatory and owner scrutiny relative to the stabilized volumes seen in years like 2010 or 2022. This positions the 2004 model at the highest point of the reliability concern arc rather than within a normalized maintenance cycle, meaning prospective buyers should exercise heightened caution as it carries the highest complaint and recall burden of any year in the provided historical record.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

422

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

101

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’03’04’05 ’06 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 101 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train14

Fuel/Propulsion System12

Engine12

Engine & Engine Cooling9

Vehicle Speed Control6

Electrical System5

Tires4

Suspension4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V071000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 18/02/2004

CERTAIN 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… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT…

04V231000Seat Belts:Rear/OtherReported 17/05/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT IS INSUFFICIENT RIVETED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BELT BUCKLE LATCH AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 422 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
40/26 4407	2026-06-30	Wheels	Wheel Bolt Replacement Requirement - Change from Wheel Bolts with Aluminum Washers to…
TSTR2636	2026-06-29	Unknown Or Other	Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.200.031
TSTR2635	2026-06-29	Unknown Or Other	Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.200.030
20/26	2026-06-25	Engine	Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils (20/26)
19/26 1701	2026-06-25	Engine	Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils (19/26)

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cayenne. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 94R battery TERM low-beam bulb Engine oil filter 0PB115499A Engine air filter 95511013110 Fuel filter PCG980201A Spark plug 99917022190

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2004 Cayenne have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cayenne get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg.