VehicleVerdict

2006 Porsche Cayenne S problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

13

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Cayenne S years?

Cayenne S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted74 complaints2003: 4 complaints2004: 74 complaints2005: 10 complaints2006: 13 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 6 complaints2009: 0 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2024: 0 complaints
Cayenne S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cayenne S years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Porsche Cayenne S problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine431%
Fuel System215%
Lighting215%
Transmission215%
Other18%
Tires & Wheels18%
Airbags18%

Does the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V656000LightingAugust 30, 2022 · 222,858 units

Defect

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.

19V446000TransmissionJune 12, 2019 · 99,665 units

Defect

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.

Consequence

If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.

17V576000Fuel SystemSeptember 20, 2017 · 50,145 units

Defect

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles, 2004-2006 Cayenne vehicles, and 2006 Cayenne S "Titanium" Edition vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH10.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE COOLANT PIPES FAILED ON A RECENT ROAD TRIP DUE TO THE PIPES CRACKING. I LOST ALL OF MY COOLANT AND OVERHEATED MY ENGINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME AMONGST 2004-2006 CAYENNE MODELS AS THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 29, 2011

“INSULATION ON THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEAD LIGHTS AND WIRING ON THE HARNESSES FEEDING THE HEAD LIGHTS & TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS DETERIORATES AND CRUMBLES. THIS LEADS TO SHORTING OF WIRES AND HEAD LIGHT & TURN SIGNAL FAILING. ADDITIONALLY THE CONNECTORS ON THE HEAD LIGHTS & HARNESSES CORRODE LEADING TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 24, 2018

“The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle was facing uphill, the contact decided not to reverse down the hill and was attempting to turn the vehicle around to drive down the hill. The contact put the vehicle in park and was hanging over the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 2, 2023 · crash

“NHTSA RECALL NO.: 17V-576; PORSCHE SAFETY RECALL AH10. THE RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED 12/17 AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY PORSCHE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SINCE. THE PORSCHE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT RECEIVED THE FILTER FLANGE REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND HAS NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BE RECEIVED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 12, 2018

“AUTO DEALER MISREPRESENTED THE CONDITION OF THE TIRES ON A CAR I BOUGHT. THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE UNSAFE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. ARE AUTO DEALERS ALLOWED TO MISREPRESENT SOMETHING SO OBVIOUS AS A UNSAFE TIRE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 14, 2009

2006 Porsche Cayenne S — common questions

Is the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S reliable?

The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 Cayenne S problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (4 complaints), lighting (2 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints).

Does the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Porsche Cayenne S years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cayenne S years to avoid are 2004. The cleanest record among Cayenne S years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.