SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
2015 Porsche Cayenne
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Porsche Cayenne, most frequently naming the engine, exterior lighting and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 518 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 3 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 4 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 5 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 6 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 7 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 8 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 9 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 10 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 11 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 12 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 13 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine320.0%
- Exterior lighting320.0%
- Powertrain (other)320.0%
- Fuel system213.3%
- Electrical213.3%
- Airbags16.7%
- Body & structure16.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSUSPENSION
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Air bag light on occupant not detected code, just like Porsche Mecan campaign AMA2
- NHTSA ID
- 11664131
- Incident
- May 17, 2025
June 7-8, 2024 driving in rain, the #17- 25 amp headlight fuse blew, leaving my family and me stranded without headlights in the dark on I-70 highway. When headlights quit during this drive and it became Very Very dangerous! After getting the 2015 Cayenne home, I inspected both headlights. Driver's side headlight had a lot of moisture on the inside of lens. The passenger side headlight had about 1 cup of water inside headlight. Reading about Porsche Cayenne headlights leaking online, this issue should be a recall. I am going to take to dealership have them work on unrelated recall. I will ask them to inspect Cayenne. I can not drive this vehicle during inclimate weather or at night for an emergency or otherwise. I have been really busy at work and personally to take 60 miles to dealership. I have another vehicle I have been driving.
- NHTSA ID
- 11629837
- Incident
- Jun 7, 2024
Dealership is selling vehicle without disclosing recall information or correcting.
- NHTSA ID
- 11595610
- Incident
- Jun 20, 2024
When I start the vehicle I get an error message that the rear lights are not working properly, but they are functioning well. This message is random and it can show up at anytime. I have contacted Porsche about this and they said that this is due to a faulty part that can be replaced, but requires 5000 USD. This problem was there when the vehicle was under warranty, but they never pursued or investigated it.
- NHTSA ID
- 11579292
- Incident
- Feb 5, 2020
Headlight not working properly.
- NHTSA ID
- 11572810
- Incident
- Feb 17, 2024
On August 21 2021, I was out shopping. When I went out to return home, the car would not start. I could not jump start it or anything. I had it towed to the dealer. I found out from Porsche and dealership that my car was disabled by Porsche Connect. I do not have this service or pay for it. On Friday Sept 3, I was informed by Porsche customer service that it disabled my car because the original owner (in 2015) changed their phone number. So Porsche assumed stolen and shut down. I did not authorize this, I did not sign up for this service. They will not fix the car because they say it is out of warranty. Because I do not know the code to turn the car back on, they want to replace parts and say I have to get the Porsche Connect App. This is a known issue at Porsche because the dealer found a TSB on it. They are not taking responsibility for shutting down the car with out my permission. This is a safety issue depending on where I could have been.
- NHTSA ID
- 11431928
- Incident
- Aug 21, 2021
After the emissions recall was performed the vehicle has an issue that when turning a corner the engine will not produce any power and will not shift down in order to get the car to accelerate. You get no response from the throttle pedal unless you depress it fully to the floor and then the car will jerk and accelerate uncontrollably. This creates an unsafe condition when trying to pull out into traffic. I have almost been in an accident multiple times because of this with oncoming cars and with cars following me as they are trying to merge also and my vehicle will not accelerate. I have driven a vehicle identical to mine that has not had the emissions recall performed and it does not have this issue.
- NHTSA ID
- 11430182
- Incident
- Aug 20, 2021
The 2015 Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid has a charging port for charging the electric drive battery. The electric plug does not disconnect from the vehicle. Based on the OBD-II software used for diagnosis Error Code - P0D9400 Error Description - High-voltage charger - charging-plug lock fault (00A93D)
- NHTSA ID
- 11420884
- Incident
- Jun 13, 2021
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.300.000
VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation
VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation
ENGINE
Allocation of Approved Engine Oils MY 2027 (13/26)
PiUS Update Information Software Version: 3.2
PiUS Update Information Software Version: 3.2
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2020 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 62.9 |
| 2019 | 41 | 6 | 0 | 59.1 |
| 2018 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 44.2 |
| 2017 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 60.7 |
| 2016 | 38 | 2 | 1 | 54.7 |
| 2015Viewing | 13 | 2 | 1 | 41.2 |
| 2014 | 53 | 3 | 0 | 45.4 |
| 2013 | 40 | 3 | 0 | 48.6 |
| 2012 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 46.3 |
| 2011 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 44.0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 50.8 |
| 2008 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 44.5 |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 41 | 3 | 1 | 58.8 |
| 2005 | 32 | 4 | 2 | 58.3 |
| 2004 | 38 | 6 | 2 | 58.7 |
| 2003 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.