Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2021 Porsche Cayenne E- HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne E- Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (3) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Dec 2025
Owner complaints
12
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

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."

Back over preventionReported Dec 19, 2025NHTSA 25V896000

Electrical system: cable

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Dec 13, 2023NHTSA 23V841000

Seats

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported May 5, 2021NHTSA 21V318000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

12 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2021 – Jun 2025
  1. Electrical system3
  2. Air bags2
  3. Engine2
  4. Power train2
  5. Service brakes2
  6. Forward collision avoidance1
  7. Steering1
  8. Other / unknown4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cayenne E- Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201925
202024
202112
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

3 reports
“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.” THIS MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF NOT REPAIRED AS VEHICULAR COLLISION RATES INCREASE DRAMATICALLY TO NO AVAIL. Porsche dealers are notoriously recalcitrant about taking adequate responsibility for these failures. The cost of repairing Porsche’s poor craftsmanship is either prohibitive or they are disinterested in repairing these problems within an acceptable timeframe. It is long past due for the Federal government to intervene and compel Porsche to recall and repair their Adaptive Cruise Control failures. I had my cameras recalibrated three (3) times in three (3) weeks and yet the problem persists without meaningful redress. HELP!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 8, 2024Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11593255

Air bags

2 reports
“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 reduced amount would help but a whole dash replacement sounds excessive to make sure the leather is not obstructing the airbag.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2025Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11669823

Engine

2 reports
“Problem with the hybrid system and the engine control system. Unit changed automatically and unexpectedly from battery power mode to engine power mode when on battery power mode only. This change is not supposed to happen. This failure happened when starting the unit, put on drive and starting to move forward. This failure caused the unit to charge forward with more power unexpectedly. Causing almost to collide. At the time of the failure “engine control system” warning and “e power not available” warning lid up. The unit has been for service for 10 times with the same warnings powering up. At this time the unit has been on service for almost four month.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2023Electrical system, EngineODI 11531025
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
EV range
430 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cayenne e-Hybrid
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202221$3,800257
Cayenne e-Hybrid Coupe
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202221$3,800257
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne E- Hybrid as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 15774Vehicle 15780
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Cayenne E- Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne E- Hybrid have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Porsche Cayenne E- Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (3), air bags (2), engine (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne E- Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Porsche Cayenne E- Hybrid at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026