VehicleVerdict

2021 Porsche Cayenne problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other Cayenne years?

Cayenne NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted76 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 51 complaints2005: 43 complaints2006: 55 complaints2008: 38 complaints2009: 21 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 37 complaints2012: 33 complaints2013: 55 complaints2014: 76 complaints2015: 16 complaints2016: 56 complaints2017: 22 complaints2018: 18 complaints2019: 63 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 24 complaints2022: 3 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 9 complaints2025: 13 complaints2026: 8 complaints
Cayenne NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cayenne years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Porsche Cayenne problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System521%
Other417%
Airbags313%
Driver Assistance313%
Engine28%
Brakes28%
Steering28%
Transmission28%
Visibility & Wipers14%

Does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne have recalls?

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

25V896000Driver AssistanceDecember 19, 2025 · 172,107 units

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."

Consequence

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.

22V040000SuspensionJanuary 28, 2022 · 1,241 units

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.

Consequence

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.

21V493000SteeringJune 30, 2021 · 27 units

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.

Consequence

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.

21V318000AirbagsMay 5, 2021 · 136 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V271000SuspensionApril 21, 2021 · 1,568 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 3, 2025

“Check engine light thrown intermittently and dealer is unable to reproduce issue. Multiple incidents of the same issue by other owners. https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-9y0-2019/1248120-grr-cel-code-654-miles-on-new-21-cayenne.html Pattern is the same. Take delivery of new car, get CEL <1000…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 7, 2021

“Dashboard leather is separating and was told this could affect the airbag deployment in the case of an accident. Porsche dealership is asking 10k outside of warranty to replace the dash. If it was just cosmetic I could deal with it, but now that it is a safety concern for my passenger I feel forced…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 20, 2025

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 15, 2025

“When the vehicle is decelerating and the transmission is in gear 2 the vehicle will lurch forward interfering/fighting with the normal operation of the brakes. This consistently happens when braking to a stop. The vehicle has 260 miles and I have driven it perhaps 4 - 5 times for a total of 30…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 15, 2021

2021 Porsche Cayenne — common questions

Is the 2021 Porsche Cayenne reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2021 Cayenne problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), other (4 complaints), driver assistance (3 complaints).

Does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Porsche Cayenne. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Porsche Cayenne years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cayenne years to avoid are 2014, 2019, 2016, 2006, 2013, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2015. The cleanest record among Cayenne years belongs to 2010.

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.