Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Porsche Cayenne problems

Owners filed 21 complaints about the 2021 Porsche Cayenne with NHTSA between Sep 2021 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (6).

Complaints
21
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system6
  2. Air bags4
  3. Engine3
  4. Steering2
  5. Forward collision avoidance2
  6. Power train2
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system1
  9. Seat belts1
  10. Visibility/wiper1
  11. Back over prevention1
  12. Other / unknown5

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 Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20214
20224
20232
20241
20253
20267

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

6 reports
“Battery completely discharged and the safety switch in the battery malfunctions and battery can not be charged again. There are many complaints seen online about the battery problems Porsche has. This strands the car and me the driver. The dealer and independent mechanics said the same. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2026Electrical systemODI 11755286

Air bags

4 reports
“Over approximately the past month, the leather covering on the dashboard of my 2021 Porsche Cayenne has rapidly begun lifting, buckling, and separating across a substantial portion of the dashboard. The deformation has become increasingly pronounced in a short period of time despite normal use and careful maintenance of the vehicle. I am concerned that this may present a safety issue because the passenger airbag deploys through the dashboard area. The dashboard material is visibly distorted and separating, and I am concerned that this deformation could potentially interfere with the intended deployment path or performance of the passenger airbag in a collision. This does not appear to be normal cosmetic wear. The affected area is not routinely touched or subjected to ordinary wear, and the condition developed quickly on a relatively recent vehicle. I have also found reports from other owners of similar Porsche Cayenne model years describing comparable dashboard leather lifting, bubbling, warping, or delamination. Because of the location of the defect and the potential relationship to the passenger-airbag deployment area, I am requesting that NHTSA review this…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2026Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11759576

Engine

3 reports
“On my 2021 Porsche Cayenne Base, which is equipped with the 3.0L V6 EA839 engine, I brought the vehicle to the dealership for a recall service. During inspection, the dealership found a leaking water pump and quoted $8,500 for repairs. There were no visible signs of a coolant leak on the ground, indicating an internal seal failure. My independent technician confirmed that coolant is leaking internally into the vacuum system. This EA839 engine architecture is shared across multiple Volkswagen Group models, including Audi A6, A7, A8, Q7, and Q8, where this water pump internal leak is a known, widespread manufacturer defect that has already triggered class action lawsuits.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11760942

Steering

2 reports1 related recall
“Vehicle Information: 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid (VIN: [XXX]) Description of Defect: While operating the vehicle, the steering column bolt physically backed out and detached, causing an immediate, complete loss of steering control. This exact mechanical failure mirrors NHTSA Safety Recall 21V-493 (Porsche Campaign AMB4), which addressed loose, under-torqued steering column bolts leaving the factory. My specific VIN was excluded from the narrow initial recall population, proving a factory tracking failure by the manufacturer. The authorized Porsche dealership confirmed the failure stating the bolt backed out due to "vibrations." A vital steering bolt backing out under normal road vibrations on a 2021 luxury vehicle is a severe manufacturing defect and a life-threatening public safety hazard. Injuries/Crash: No Fire: No Speed at incident: 25 mph”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2026Steering, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11744923

Forward collision avoidance

2 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

Power train

2 reports
“While coming to a stop the vehicle lurches around 1200 rpms as the rpms are falling. The vehicle appears to already be in 1st gear when this happens. This can be replicated in all driving modes. observation: when braking or even when coasting to a stop the vehicle will slow down rapidly, as if the brakes are being tapped hard (the brake pressure is constant and occurs even when not braking) for a brief second and then release causing a lurching motion. This lurching motion is enough to concern while driving as a possible loss of traction. it feels as if the car is engine braking. This issue puts the driver, passengers, and other vehicles at a safety risk. I have had passengers state that it gives them motion sickness. I have reported this to the dealer and they had the car twice. The second time was for a substantial amount of time. The dealer is on record stating that they can recreate it, observe it, but have not been able to fix it. they have reset the software on several systems including the transmission. there are no third party devices on the car, the car is stock, there are no warning lights.This has been the case since day one of having the car (brand new).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2022Power train, EngineODI 11453559
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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