PFDGSB

My 2016 Cayenne GTS is getting it's 4th transfer case today.

1. New

2. 14,xxx miles

3. 36,xxx miles
My ownership begins.

4. 58,xxx miles
Have I set the record?

This SUV was babied and well-maintained by myself and the previous owner. It's in fantastic shape otherwise. I love my Porsches, but this is full-on ridiculous.

This will be my last transfer case, however. My CPO ends soon. I hope this one lasts. These new ones have an improved clutch coating or something, right?

Visualistics

Do you drive it in winter? Do you change the transfer case fluid regularly?

Going through a TC every 20k miles is crazy. I'm at 86k and still on the original one so I'm always curious how weather and driving habits affects it. Mine was an AZ car most of it's life so I imagine the TC never got worked out too hard, but now it is going to see regular snow here in the Midwest and I'm not exactly babying it... But I am going to be changing TC fluid every 10k as preventive maintenance.

PFDGSB

While I do have snow tires on it, I almost never drive it in the winter. I work from home, and use my truck when the weather is bad.

I've changed the transfer case fluid once in my ownership. However, if you look at the mileage, I'm not sure it's ever truly been due, according to the recommended intervals.

drdantheman1

Heyyyy, I'm on my fourth as well! Cheers! 1st was around 30k miles, second was around 51miles, third was at 62k miles which was done along with a front differential which exploded through the case (literally). Mine is babied as well, wife's SUV. No offroading. All 4 tires same brand and wear. I changed the TC fluid every 10k when I bought the car at around 33k miles, but have since stopped since it obviously did not help.

garrett376

More useful info than mileage: Did any of the prior transfer cases have the GNC clutch plates (usually installed post-2018)?

PFDGSB

1. Came with vehicle, 2016

2. 12/18/17

3. 4/20/2020

4. 4/11/2023

BrendonSF

To go through 4 in under 60k miles is absolutely insane. You're basically replacing a TC at every oil change.
My original TC in my 2016 GTS "went" at 105k miles; and it was barely even acting up at that point. Got it replaced and couldn't even hardly tell a difference. Changed the fluid at 80k. Though that's more the exception than the rule it seems.

The new ones have a new vent line to help prevent water contamination, and some of the plates/gears have a tougher GNC coating from what I can recall. They are definitely more robust, but not perfect from what I've read on here. I would have thought that your last replacement would have had the new GNC plates. According to the attached bulletin, units after August 2018 had them.

CAVU

OP,

Can you add dates and transfer case part numbers to your original thread?

I am on #5. Post #10 https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-...e-failure.html

PFDGSB

I added dates in Post #6.
P/N of most current is 958341042

I don't have the P/Ns of the previously replaced units.

PFDGSB

I agree. I don't drive hard, I've never tracked it. I don't street race. I rarely floor it. At worst, I've taken a few off ramps faster than your typical Corolla. I barely drive in the Winter and almost never in the rain. It is garaged when not being driven. Whatever upgrades Porsche has made aren't working in some cases.

leftlane

I’m at 140k and on my original TC. Changed the fluid once at 100k. Porsche interval is 160k. No way I’d change it every 10k miles.

CAVU

what variant is your Cayenne and are you the original owner?

leftlane

GTS and I am 2nd owner - bought it at 25k miles in 2016 and have all records from pre-delivery inspection until now.

garrett376

Do you freeway cruise mostly, or mostly stop and go?

riteoff

I'm sorry to hear about your luck.
I'm guessing these transfer case issues are temp and running temp related.

Mine Tc was warranty replaced. 2 weeks later a 9hr hwy road trip had my cayenne almost undrivable after exiting the highway. Stopped for a few hours to shop, eat and the Cayenne was driving like new again.
All fall and winter no issues. We'll see if summer brings on the symptoms again.

I believe more air flow and or external cooling will be the long term answer.

​​​​