2021 Porsche Cayenne problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Porsche Cayenne, most often about electrical system. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
21
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
31,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 6 of 21 complaints (29%).
  • Airbags (4) and driver assistance & safety tech (3) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 31,000 mi.
  • The 2021 Porsche Cayenne has 5 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 5th of 20 Porsche Cayenne model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 12% fewer complaints than the 2020 model year (24).

2021 Porsche Cayenne problems by category

  • Electrical System
    6 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    5 complaints
  • Airbags
    4 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Engine
    3 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Brakes
    2 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Unknown or other5
Electrical system5
Air bags4
Engine3
Steering2
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control2
Service brakes2
Power train2

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k110k–30k130k–60k160k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 Porsche Cayenne complaints that list mileage.

2021 Porsche Cayenne recalls (5)

  • Recall 25V896000Dec 19, 2025172,107 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    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."

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • Recall 22V040000Jan 28, 20221,241 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:REAR · TIRES

    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.

    Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • Recall 21V493000Jun 30, 202127 vehicles
    STEERING:COLUMN

    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.

    Risk: A detached steering column can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

  • Recall 21V318000May 5, 2021136 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · SEATS

    Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne GTS, Cayenne GTS Coupe, 2020-2021 Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe vehicles. The passenger seat back heating element was not installed and may impact the calibration of the Occupant Classification System.

    Risk: The front passenger air bag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a heating element, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB0.

  • Recall 21V271000Apr 21, 20211,568 vehicles
    SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

    Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne Turbo Coupe, and Cayenne GTS Coupe vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

    Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock nuts, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMA9.

Recent 2021 Porsche Cayenne complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Aug 31, 2026MAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11760942 · source
  2. Filed Aug 31, 202614,000 miNESeats & Seat Belts
    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.…
    NHTSA complaint #11760839 · source
  3. Filed Aug 25, 2026GAAirbagsOther / Unknown
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11759576 · source
  4. Filed Aug 6, 2026ALElectrical System
    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 complaint #11755286 · source
  5. Filed Jun 18, 2026TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering
    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,…
    NHTSA complaint #11744923 · source
  6. Filed May 11, 2026INElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11737123 · source
  7. Filed Mar 10, 202648,000 miAZDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11723260 · source
  8. Filed Oct 9, 202590,000 miPAElectrical System
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11692345 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology