Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2018 Porsche CayenneRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 13 owner complaints for the 2018 Porsche Cayenne. Most complaints involve electrical system (3) and engine (3). The EPA rates it 17–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–20mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 2018
Owner complaints
13
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment

Free remedy

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid Platinum Edition, Macan Turbo and Macan GTS vehicles, 2017-2018 Cayenne S, Macan, Cayenne Platinum Edition and Macan S vehicles and 2018 Cayenne vehicles equipped with the optional ski bag. The ski bag fastening strap may have been sewn with incorrect thread, possibly resulting in the strap seams tearing and the ski bag being unsecured in the event of a crash.

EquipmentReported Nov 28, 2018NHTSA 18V844000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2018 – May 2026
  1. Electrical system3
  2. Engine3
  3. Fuel/propulsion system2
  4. Air bags2
  5. Power train1
  6. Tires1
  7. Exterior lighting1
  8. Forward collision avoidance1
  9. Visibility/wiper1

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
201948
202024
202121
20224
20235
20245
20265
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

3 reports
“The high-voltage battery pack in my 2018 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] , approximately 81,000 miles) has experienced a noticeable and progressive reduction in battery range and performance. On February 20, 2026, Porsche White Plains (an authorized Porsche dealer) performed an inspection but was unable to duplicate an active fault code and declined to generate a battery State of Health (SoH%) report. No warranty repair was authorized. Porsche Cars North America (PCNA), Case #XXX, has since moved to close my statutory warranty claim, citing the absence of a duplicated fault. However, under New York State's adopted CARB emission warranty standards (6 NYCRR § 218-9.1), high-voltage propulsion batteries in TZEV/PZEV vehicles are warranted for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original sale. My vehicle was placed in service in 2018 and remains within that statutory coverage window through 2028. PCNA has not addressed this statutory obligation or provided written confirmation of coverage. I also have not received the inspection documentation I formally requested on March 17, 2026, despite no case closure having occurred at the time of that request.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2026Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11735314

Engine

3 reports
“The day we took our Porsche home, we noticed a lot of heat generation in the car- but we thought it will be fine going further, given the attention to detail of Porsche's Automobile Engineering. The following days were not any better for my daughter- she missed a major accident because of the unexpected burnt smell and loud warnings of an overheat of the engine by Porsche in the middle of a highway. Due to her excellent driving record for the past 5 years, she was able to manage and stop in the middle of the highway at the curb of the road. She panicked so much so that, she stopped using the Porsche and borrowed our other cars, Benz and Lexus. I requested her to give Porsche another chance yesterday night. The same situation repeated again within a span of 10 minutes of her journey in Porsche; she had to stop in the middle of the road again due to engine overheat and burning smell and I went to pick her up as she got really scared. My son immediately informed the Hennessey Porsche North Atlanta, Georgia, the USA about this repeated situation but seems like they do not care at all. I think you must be aware that Dealerships play the most crucial role between…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2021Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11429183

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCE WHAT FEELS LIKE A DEAD SPOT IN THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN LURCH FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN REPORTED ON NUMEROUS COMPLAINT SITE CONCERNING VARIOUS PORSCHE VEHICLES AND SPECIFICALL CONCERNING PORSCHE CAYENNE DEALER SAYS CAR IS FINE.UNSAFE TO DRIVE SINCE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL ACCELERATE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2019Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11282620
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl turbo · 4.8L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
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 Nov 11, 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 (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,750432
Cayenne S
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172420$3,750452
Cayenne GTS
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,950476
Cayenne Platinum
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,950453
Cayenne Turbo
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.8 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
142117$4,400536
Cayenne Turbo S
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.8 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
142117$4,400536
  • Cayenne
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,750/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne S
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,750/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne GTS
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,950/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne Platinum
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,950/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne Turbo
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.8 L, Turbo
    14 city · 21 hwy · $4,400/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne Turbo S
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.8 L, Turbo
    14 city · 21 hwy · $4,400/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 2018 Porsche Cayenne as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 12729
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

2018 Cayenne questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Porsche Cayenne have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 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 2018 Porsche Cayenne problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (3), engine (3), fuel/propulsion system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Porsche Cayenne get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Porsche Cayenne at 17–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026