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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2006 Porsche CayenneRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 55 owner complaints for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (15) and power train (10). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
55
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$5,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 30, 2022NHTSA 22V656000

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jun 12, 2019NHTSA 19V446000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 20, 2017NHTSA 17V576000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

55 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2006 – Jan 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system15
  2. Power train10
  3. Fuel system, gasoline8
  4. Engine and engine cooling8
  5. Electrical system7
  6. Air bags5
  7. Exterior lighting4
  8. Engine3
  9. Service brakes1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004101
200542
200655
200842
200915
20101
201162
201236
201340
201453
201640
201718
201813
201947
202024
202121
20224
20235
20245
20265
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
2
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

Fuel/propulsion system

15 reports
“Last month I began experiencing a strong fuel odor after driving, most noticeable outside the driver-side rear door area, which aligns with the warning sign described in the recall report. This is a time-sensitive safety concern. [XXX] (PCNA 573 filing with NHTSA).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11711993

Power train

10 reports1 crash
“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 driver’s front door attempting to see where the edge of the hill was to back up the hill and drive down the hill. However, the gear went into neutral, and the vehicle unexpectedly moved, rolling down the hill. The contact jumped into the moving vehicle and depressed the brake pedal as the back of the vehicle hit the ground smashing the muffler into the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed of the recall. The contact sustained injuries to the chest, left arm and shoulder, and the head. The contact had bruises on both legs and arms, and a large laceration on right shin which required medical attention. In addition, the contact was traumatized. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the plastic bushing on the selector lever cable. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V446000 (Power Train) as a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2024Power trainCrash reportedODI 11571965

Fuel system, gasoline

8 reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage and exiting the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal fuel odor outside the vehicle. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was diagnosed with a crack in the filter flange informed the contact was informed that the filter flange needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V576000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 135,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2026Fuel system, gasolineODI 11709777
All 2006 Cayenne problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl · 4.5L 8-cyl · 4.5L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

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
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$5,300592
Cayenne
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131915$5,300592
Cayenne S
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$5,700635
Cayenne Turbo
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$5,700635
  • Cayenne
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne S
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $5,700/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne Turbo
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.5 L, Turbo
    12 city · 17 hwy · $5,700/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1956
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

2006 Cayenne questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Porsche Cayenne 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 2006 Porsche Cayenne problems?

Owners filed 55 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (15), power train (10), fuel system, gasoline (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Porsche Cayenne get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Porsche Cayenne at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026