Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Porsche Cayenne problems
Owners filed 55 complaints about the 2006 Porsche Cayenne with NHTSA between Feb 2006 and Jan 2026. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (15).
Complaints
55
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel/propulsion system15
- Power train10
- Fuel system, gasoline8
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Electrical system7
- Air bags5
- Exterior lighting4
- Engine3
- Service brakes1
- Equipment1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Tires1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Other / unknown2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
1
0
1
2
3
3
0
1
1
5
5
16
5
1
1
0
4
1
0
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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).”
Power train
10 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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…”
Fuel system, gasoline
8 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Engine and engine cooling
8 reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that she was able to navigate the vehicle off the road. The contact then stated that the coolant had drained from the vehicle. The coolant warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the coolant pipes detached, and the radiator hose needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the radiator hose was previously replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.”
Electrical system
7 reports1 fire
“MY CAR STOP SUDDENLY, IGNITION KEY FAILURE, THEN LIKE TRANSMISSION HESUTATION UNTIL THE CAR STOP COMPLETELY WHERE AT THAT MOMENT CALL A TOLL THAT COST ME $650 DLS. SINCE THAT DAY CAR HAVING ELECTRIC PROBLEMS AND EVEN TRANSMISSION GET STUCK SOMETIMES, HAVE TO TO DO IT MANUALLY.”
Air bags
5 reports1 crash
“I CALLED THE PHONE THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE ZERO INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. [XXX] ' *PM”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.