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2021 Porsche Cayenne

Plug-in hybrid Gas Midsize / large SUV

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Specs & fuel economyRecallsComplaintsCrash ratings
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100
FSafety Signal · 35 / 100
7Recalls · 2 critical
21Complaints · owner reports
Crash rating · NHTSA overall
21 mpgFuel economy · best combined

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas midsize or large SUV with 12 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Cayenne e-Hybrid, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 21 complaints, most often about electrical system.

Specs & fuel economy (EPA)

ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Cayenne e-HybridPlug-in hybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 99 kW DC Brushless202221 (27 MPGe blended)17 mi electric723 h$3,700
Cayenne e-Hybrid CoupePlug-in hybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 99 kW DC Brushless202221 (27 MPGe blended)17 mi electric723 h$3,700
Cayenne Turbo S e-HybridPlug-in hybridAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 99 kW DC Brushless172018 (22 MPGe blended)15 mi electric823 h$4,300
Cayenne Turbo S e-Hybrid CoupePlug-in hybridAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 99 kW DC Brushless172018 (22 MPGe blended)15 mi electric823 h$4,300
CayenneGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192320$3,900
Cayenne CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192320$3,900
Cayenne SGasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo182220$3,900
Cayenne S CoupeGasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo182219$4,100
Cayenne GTSGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo151917$4,550
Cayenne GTS CoupeGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo151917$4,550
Cayenne TurboGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo151917$4,550
Cayenne Turbo CoupeGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo151917$4,550

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.

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Recalls (7)

Back Over Prevention

minor
172,107 vehiclesHybrid only

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 25V896000 · reported Dec 19, 2025 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Electrical System

critical
41,345 vehiclesHybrid only

Problem: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling various models and model years. Please see the recall report for a list of the included vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.

Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 24, 2024. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, anticipated mid-2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's numbe

NHTSA campaign 23V841000 · reported Dec 13, 2023 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Tires

high
1,241 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 22V040000 · reported Jan 28, 2022 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Steering

high
27 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V493000 · reported Jun 30, 2021 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Engine

critical
12 vehicles

Problem: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne GTS, and Cayenne GTS Coupe vehicles. Cracks may develop on the surface of the engine cylinder bore.

Risk: Cracks may cause engine damage and a stall or an oil leak, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB1.

NHTSA campaign 21V341000 · reported May 12, 2021 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Seats

high
136 vehiclesHybrid only

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V318000 · reported May 5, 2021 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Suspension

high
1,568 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V271000 · reported Apr 21, 2021 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

NHTSA investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds (closed)

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

21 complaints filed

0 involved a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.

Filed by year — 2021: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2026: 7

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System — 6
  • Unknown Or Other — 5
  • Air Bags — 4
  • Engine — 3
  • Service Brakes — 2
“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 to overspend. Even a…”Jun 27, 2025 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“Much like thousands of Cayenne drivers, I am constantly let down by an ongoing issue with Adaptive Cruise Control failures with an error message that reads, “Adaptive Cruise Control unavailable.â€� THIS MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF NOT REPAIRED AS VEHICULAR COLLISION RATES INCREASE DRAMATICALLY TO NO AVAIL. P…”Jun 8, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“I was driving the auto and parked in my garage without any indication of a fault. I attempted to start the car about 30 minutes later and the car would not start and gave an error message that said "change driver" I tried both keys and neither would allow the car to be started. There was no starter noise indicating a w…”Sep 8, 2023 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other Cayenne model years

B

2026 Cayenne

1 recalls · 3 complaints

B

2025 Cayenne

2 recalls · 6 complaints

F

2024 Cayenne

5 recalls · 5 complaints

B

2023 Cayenne

2 recalls · 5 complaints

C

2022 Cayenne

3 recalls · 3 complaints

F

2020 Cayenne

6 recalls · 24 complaints

F

2019 Cayenne

8 recalls · 42 complaints

A

2018 Cayenne

1 recalls · 14 complaints

B

2017 Cayenne

2 recalls · 17 complaints

B

2016 Cayenne

2 recalls · 39 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 43775, 43776, 43777, 43778, 43379, 43380, 43381, 43383, 43382, 43384, 43385, 43386). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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