Problems · NHTSA complaints
2019 Porsche Cayenne problems
Owners filed 48 complaints about the 2019 Porsche Cayenne with NHTSA between May 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (11).
Complaints
48
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags11
- Electrical system10
- Back over prevention6
- Engine6
- Power train6
- Service brakes5
- Exterior lighting5
- Vehicle speed control4
- Lane departure3
- Forward collision avoidance3
- Wheels1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Steering1
- Other / unknown12
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
2
4
5
3
5
1
10
18
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 18 |
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
Air bags
11 reports
“The dashboard is peeling up and is unsafe due to airbag being underneath the leather dash. If airbag was to blow it would not function correctly due to dashboard leather peeling. Could potentially injur passenger or not deploy at all.”
Electrical system
10 reports2 related recalls
“The hybrid cooling system on my 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid repeatedly displayed a red dashboard warning while the vehicle was in motion: "Hybrid coolant level too low / Park vehicle safely / Let vehicle cool down." This warning appeared on multiple occasions at speeds of approximately 22 mph, 38–40 mph, and 47 mph, as documented in timestamped photos and videos taken in November 2025. A separate warning in July 2025 read: "Engine cannot be started / Remove charger plug." The warnings indicate a potential thermal management or hybrid cooling system failure. A moving vehicle being instructed to park and cool down presents a safety risk to the driver and others, particularly if the condition causes sudden power loss or thermal event. The vehicle was serviced at an authorized Porsche dealer in 2025. Despite that service activity, the hybrid coolant warning recurred while driving in November 2025, suggesting the underlying condition was not fully resolved. The issue was reported to the manufacturer (PCNA), who acknowledged it under a case number and offered a service voucher. The selling dealer attributed the concerns to a manufacturer charging-cable campaign.…”
Back over prevention
6 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2019 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that the cameras including the front and rear cameras were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, three attempts to complete the driver assistance software update had failed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”
Engine
6 reports
“The Waste Gate Arm has broken on my 2019 Cayenne. This is a widely known issue with Porsches. Feels like this needs a recall. It is absurd to me that the dealers want to replace the whole turbo unit at $7-9k when a simple weld can fix. I am 6 months out of the 7 year warranty but under the 70k mileage. I am pushing the dealer to work this out. But it is crazy that Porsche isn’t held accountable for a design flaw.”
Power train
6 reports
“At approximately 52,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic transmission / driveline failure while in use. The failure created serious concern about safe operation and reliability and left the vehicle disabled or unsafe to continue driving normally. An authorized Porsche dealer evaluated the vehicle and stated that the repair would require replacement of the entire transmission assembly at very high cost. No practical parts-level repair option has been provided. I am reporting this because a sudden major powertrain failure at this mileage may indicate a safety-related defect.”
Service brakes
5 reports1 crash
“2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo (EA825 4.0L V8, VIN [XXX]). Vacuum-actuated water pump seal failure caused coolant infiltration of the vacuum system on two separate occasions during the CPO warranty period. The vacuum system on this engine supplies the brake servo (brake booster) — a safety-critical connection documented in Porsche and Audi's own engineering literature for this engine (NHTSA document MC-XXX). First failure: XXX (92,916 miles, RO XXX). Towed in overheating. Technician documented coolant infiltrating vacuum system. Coolant pump replaced. Vacuum lines not inspected or replaced. Vacuum pump not inspected or replaced. PCNA's own ATI 2235.1 (NHTSA MC-XXX) required vacuum line inspection — not performed. Second failure: October 3, 2025 (103,904 miles, RO 207205). Coolant documented at timing chain cover. Coolant pump replaced. Change-over valve not replaced — required unconditionally by ATI 2235.1. Vacuum lines not inspected or replaced. No PQIS fault code logged — required by PCNA TSB 2307 (NHTSA MC-XXX). No oil analysis performed. No timing chain cavity inspection. Service visit performed one month before CPO expiration. Third visit: XXX (103,988 miles,…”
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.