RoadVitals

2006 Porsche Cayenne Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Jan 20, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Porsche Cayenne, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine714.0%
  • Electrical612.0%
  • Airbags48.0%
  • Exterior lighting24.0%
  • Brakes24.0%
  • Driver assistance12.0%
  • Other / unspecified12.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Last month I began experiencing a strong fuel odor after driving, most noticeable outside the driver-side rear door area, which aligns with the warning sign described in the recall report. This is a time-sensitive safety concern. [XXX] (PCNA 573 filing with NHTSA). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11711993 · filed Jan 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage and exiting the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal fuel odor outside the vehicle. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was diagnosed with a crack in the filter flange informed the contact was informed that the filter flange needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V576000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 135,000.

NHTSA ID 11709777 · filed Jan 8, 2026
All 19 reports naming fuel system

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V446000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 17V576000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR BOTH RECALLS.

NHTSA ID 11325380 · filed May 21, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V446000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROCKVILLE AUDI (1190 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852, 888 478-1189) WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11253011 · filed Sep 3, 2019
All 8 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that she was able to navigate the vehicle off the road. The contact then stated that the coolant had drained from the vehicle. The coolant warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the coolant pipes detached, and the radiator hose needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the radiator hose was previously replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

NHTSA ID 11502395 · filed Jan 18, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE APPROXIMATELY 3.5 HOURS LATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID 11003676 · filed Jul 7, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR STOP SUDDENLY, IGNITION KEY FAILURE, THEN LIKE TRANSMISSION HESUTATION UNTIL THE CAR STOP COMPLETELY WHERE AT THAT MOMENT CALL A TOLL THAT COST ME $650 DLS. SINCE THAT DAY CAR HAVING ELECTRIC PROBLEMS AND EVEN TRANSMISSION GET STUCK SOMETIMES, HAVE TO TO DO IT MANUALLY.

NHTSA ID 11512514 · filed Mar 18, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE APPROXIMATELY 3.5 HOURS LATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID 11003676 · filed Jul 7, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FOR SAFETY: AIRBAG FAULT AND EARNING LIGHT APPEARING APPROXIMATELY 60K MILES IN. FROM A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH, IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. WHEN CONTACTING BOTH PORSCHE LOCALLY AND PORSCHE CORPORATE TO AMEND, BOTH REFUSE REPAIRS BY CITING VEHICLE'S AGE (ALTHOUGH THIS IS A PREVALENT, KNOWN ISSUE). FOR PERFORMANCE FEATURES: PCM FAILURE; PCM IS THE NAVIGATION AND RADIO CONSOLE SYSTEM. AGAIN, BOTH PORSCHE LOCAL AND PORSCHE CORPORATE WERE CONTACTED AFTER DISCOVERING THROUGH A MERE GOOGLE SEARCH, WHICH WILL ILLUSTRATE THIS LARGE ISSUE WITH PORSCHE CAYENNE VEHICLES INCURRING PCM FAILURES IN DROVES. PORSCHE HAS ACKNOWLEDGE BOTH THE AIRBAG SAFETY FAILURE AND PCM FAULT IS DUE TO BAD ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, TO INCLUDE ACKNOWLEDGING THE CHOICE OF TO NOT PURSUE A RECALL OR "GOODWILL" REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID 10915688 · filed Oct 13, 2016

THERE ARE OVER 3,000 COMPLAINTS ABUT THE AIR BAGS ON THIS MODEL ON THE INTERNET. I TOOK SUV INTO DEALER TO SEE IF AIR BAG WAS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT THE WEEK BEFORE. DEALER CHARGED ME $150. DEALER SAID NO IT WAS A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED USA HEADQUARTERS OF PORSCHE, BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL YET EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE OVER 3,000 VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT REPORTED ON THE INTERNET BY AN ATTORNEY. I CONTACTED THE NY ATTORNEY GENERAL, THEY TOLD THE DEALER THEY SHOULD REFUND MY $150 AND REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER REFUSED. NY ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID I SHOULD TAKE THEM TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. COST FOR REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED AT $1,200 BY DEALER TO FIX DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10576764 · filed Apr 2, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR STOP SUDDENLY, IGNITION KEY FAILURE, THEN LIKE TRANSMISSION HESUTATION UNTIL THE CAR STOP COMPLETELY WHERE AT THAT MOMENT CALL A TOLL THAT COST ME $650 DLS. SINCE THAT DAY CAR HAVING ELECTRIC PROBLEMS AND EVEN TRANSMISSION GET STUCK SOMETIMES, HAVE TO TO DO IT MANUALLY.

NHTSA ID 11512514 · filed Mar 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact became aware of condensation in the headlights and that the headlights were very dim. The contact made an appointment with a dealer and had the recall repair performed; however, the headlights were still dim while in operation. The vehicle was returned to the dealer however, no additional assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11502619 · filed Jan 19, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR STOP SUDDENLY, IGNITION KEY FAILURE, THEN LIKE TRANSMISSION HESUTATION UNTIL THE CAR STOP COMPLETELY WHERE AT THAT MOMENT CALL A TOLL THAT COST ME $650 DLS. SINCE THAT DAY CAR HAVING ELECTRIC PROBLEMS AND EVEN TRANSMISSION GET STUCK SOMETIMES, HAVE TO TO DO IT MANUALLY.

NHTSA ID 11512514 · filed Mar 18, 2023

WHEN THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE GOES 29 F OR BELOW, THE AIR BAG, ANTI- LOCK BRAKE AND HORN STOPS WORKING. WHEN THE WEATHER GOES BACK TO NORMAL, THEY ALL PERFORM NORMAL.

NHTSA ID 10377468 · filed Jan 14, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. WHEN THE VEHICLE DOES RESPOND, IT SHOOTS OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE DEALERSHIP READJUSTED THE COMPUTER MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THIS HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED IT WAS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO RESCIND THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE DEALER HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID 10149359 · filed Feb 3, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE EQUIPPED WITH AN AC DELCO BATTERY, MODEL NUMBER 49-60 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE FOUND DECEASED IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS DUE TO TOXIC FUMES COMING FROM THE BATTERY LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ID 10895979 · filed Aug 15, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .