RoadVitals

2021 Porsche Cayenne

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
21
+2 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Dec 19, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 706 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical624.0%
  • Airbags416.0%
  • Driver assistance312.0%
  • Engine312.0%
  • Steering28.0%
  • Brakes28.0%
  • Powertrain (other)28.0%
  • Visibility14.0%

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

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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.gov
25V896000

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Dec 19, 2025
172,107 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.Manufacturer number ASB2View on NHTSA.gov
22V040000

SUSPENSION:REAR; TIRES

Jan 28, 2022
1,241 units potentially affected
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cayenne vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-271 (AMA9) were performed.
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 10, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANA1.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.Manufacturer number ANA1View on NHTSA.gov
21V493000

STEERING:COLUMN

Jun 30, 2021
27 units potentially affected
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne vehicles. The screw connection between the steering column and steering box may fail, which can result in a detached steering column.
The risk: A detached steering column can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will install a new screw, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB4.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.Manufacturer number AMB4View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 21
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2026

On my 2021 Porsche Cayenne Base, which is equipped with the 3.0L V6 EA839 engine, I brought the vehicle to the dealership for a recall service. During inspection, the dealership found a leaking water pump and quoted $8,500 for repairs. There were no visible signs of a coolant leak on the ground, indicating an internal seal failure. My independent technician confirmed that coolant is leaking internally into the vacuum system. This EA839 engine architecture is shared across multiple Volkswagen Group models, including Audi A6, A7, A8, Q7, and Q8, where this water pump internal leak is a known, widespread manufacturer defect that has already triggered class action lawsuits.

NHTSA ID
11760942
Incident
Aug 27, 2026
Seat belts
Filed Aug 31, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver's side seat belt independently tightened and loosened. The emergency light illuminated, and a seat belt warning chime sounded continuously. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the seat belt assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the local dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

NHTSA ID
11760839
Incident
Aug 18, 2026
Mileage
14,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 25, 2026

Over approximately the past month, the leather covering on the dashboard of my 2021 Porsche Cayenne has rapidly begun lifting, buckling, and separating across a substantial portion of the dashboard. The deformation has become increasingly pronounced in a short period of time despite normal use and careful maintenance of the vehicle. I am concerned that this may present a safety issue because the passenger airbag deploys through the dashboard area. The dashboard material is visibly distorted and separating, and I am concerned that this deformation could potentially interfere with the intended deployment path or performance of the passenger airbag in a collision. This does not appear to be normal cosmetic wear. The affected area is not routinely touched or subjected to ordinary wear, and the condition developed quickly on a relatively recent vehicle. I have also found reports from other owners of similar Porsche Cayenne model years describing comparable dashboard leather lifting, bubbling, warping, or delamination. Because of the location of the defect and the potential relationship to the passenger-airbag deployment area, I am requesting that NHTSA review this condition as a possible safety-related defect. I have contacted Porsche Cars North America regarding the issue and am seeking inspection and repair through an authorized Porsche dealer.

NHTSA ID
11759576
Incident
Aug 25, 2026
Electrical
Filed Aug 6, 2026

Battery completely discharged and the safety switch in the battery malfunctions and battery can not be charged again. There are many complaints seen online about the battery problems Porsche has. This strands the car and me the driver. The dealer and independent mechanics said the same. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure.

NHTSA ID
11755286
Incident
Aug 2, 2026
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Jun 18, 2026

Vehicle Information: 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid (VIN: [XXX]) Description of Defect: While operating the vehicle, the steering column bolt physically backed out and detached, causing an immediate, complete loss of steering control. This exact mechanical failure mirrors NHTSA Safety Recall 21V-493 (Porsche Campaign AMB4), which addressed loose, under-torqued steering column bolts leaving the factory. My specific VIN was excluded from the narrow initial recall population, proving a factory tracking failure by the manufacturer. The authorized Porsche dealership confirmed the failure stating the bolt backed out due to "vibrations." A vital steering bolt backing out under normal road vibrations on a 2021 luxury vehicle is a severe manufacturing defect and a life-threatening public safety hazard. Injuries/Crash: No Fire: No Speed at incident: 25 mph INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11744923
Incident
Jun 4, 2026
ElectricalVisibility
Filed May 11, 2026

Instrument cluster anti-glare film or delamination on center and left instrument cluster. The film is wearing away in certain irregular sport and shapes. The overall wear is impacting the visibility to the center cluster under certain conditions leading to obscure visibility to important information, including vehicle speed or other warning light. It has been raised to the dealer, then to Porsche NA, but the dealer has stated they (Porsche NA) will not cover the repair, even though the vehicle is under a CPO warranty. This first started appearing this year and has gotten worse over time. No unusual cleaning, harsh chemicals or other abrasive object were used. The nature of film is slick issue is inconsistent with this and does not appear on other parts of the user interface - just the more important ones. Porsche NA initially blamed the dealership, and then later denied my claim and now escalating.

NHTSA ID
11737123
Incident
Feb 12, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera failed to display a clear image on the screen. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the rear vehicle detection sensor failed to alert the driver of a nearby vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ID
11723260
Incident
Nov 15, 2025
Mileage
48,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 9, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase on 5/29/25, the mileage was 21,000. The contact had taken the vehicle to another dealer for other repairs, and the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was flagged for Odometer Fraud, and the actual mileage was 90,000. The dealer found an odometer tampering device still located on the vehicle, but deactivated the device. The contact called the State Attorney General's Office for New Jersey.

NHTSA ID
11692345
Incident
Jul 3, 2025
Mileage
90,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SPTL2314a

Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers

No. 2109-3

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Information on Advanced Technical Information for Critical 12V Li-ion Battery Recycling

No. 11-25-4

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS; LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

Technical Information for White Messages Regarding Driver Assistance Systems in Conjunction with Passive Fault Memory Entries in the ZFAS Control Unit

SPTL2608

STEERING; SUSPENSION; WHEELS

Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available

GR16D8

Product Knowledge for Chassis/VIN Numbering Systems

GR16D8a

Product Knowledge for Model Type Designations

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

Porsche Cayenne by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026410—
2025520—
2024540—
2023510—
2022320—
2021Viewing215054.4
2020244062.7
2019446059.0
2018131144.2
2017172160.1
2016402156.4
2015132141.2
2014533045.4
2013403046.2
2012274046.3
2011303044.0
2010120—
2009152050.8
2008273044.5
2007000—
2006413158.8
2005324258.3
2004386258.7
2003222—

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.