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2021 Porsche Cayenne

Plug-in hybridGas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
12 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical7
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA21
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas midsize or large SUV with 12 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Cayenne e-Hybrid, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 21 complaints, most often about the electrical system.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Cayenne e-HybridPlug-in hybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 99 kW DC Brushless202221 (27 MPGe blended)17 mi electric723 h$3,700
Cayenne e-Hybrid CoupePlug-in hybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 99 kW DC Brushless202221 (27 MPGe blended)17 mi electric723 h$3,700
Cayenne Turbo S e-HybridPlug-in hybridAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 99 kW DC Brushless172018 (22 MPGe blended)15 mi electric823 h$4,300
Cayenne Turbo S e-Hybrid CoupePlug-in hybridAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 99 kW DC Brushless172018 (22 MPGe blended)15 mi electric823 h$4,300
CayenneGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192320———$3,900
Cayenne CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192320———$3,900
Cayenne SGasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo182220———$3,900
Cayenne S CoupeGasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo182219———$4,100
Cayenne GTSGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo151917———$4,550
Cayenne GTS CoupeGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo151917———$4,550
Cayenne TurboGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo151917———$4,550
Cayenne Turbo CoupeGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo151917———$4,550

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43775, 43776, 43777, 43778, 43379, 43380, 43381, 43383, 43382, 43384.

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Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Back Over Prevention

ASB2
172,107 vehicles
ProblemPorsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2019-2025 Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, 2020-2025 911, Taycan, 2024-2025 Panamera, and 2025 Panamera E-Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."RiskA rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will update the driver assistance software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ASB2. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 19, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 25V896000reported Dec 19, 2025Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
!critical

Electrical System

APB6
41,345 vehicles
ProblemPorsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling various models and model years. Please see the recall report for a list of the included vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.RiskAn overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.FixOwners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 24, 2024. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, anticipated mid-2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's numbe
NHTSA campaign 23V841000reported Dec 13, 2023Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
▲high

Tires

ANA1
1,241 vehicles
ProblemPorsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cayenne vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-271 (AMA9) were performed.RiskRear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 10, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANA1.
NHTSA campaign 22V040000reported Jan 28, 2022Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
▲high

Steering

AMB4
27 vehicles
ProblemPorsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne vehicles. The screw connection between the steering column and steering box may fail, which can result in a detached steering column.RiskA detached steering column can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will install a new screw, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB4.
NHTSA campaign 21V493000reported Jun 30, 2021Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
!critical

Engine

AMB1
12 vehicles
ProblemPorsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne GTS, and Cayenne GTS Coupe vehicles. Cracks may develop on the surface of the engine cylinder bore.RiskCracks may cause engine damage and a stall or an oil leak, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.FixDealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB1.
NHTSA campaign 21V341000reported May 12, 2021Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
▲high

Seats

AMB0
136 vehicles
ProblemPorsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne GTS, Cayenne GTS Coupe, 2020-2021 Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe vehicles. The passenger seat back heating element was not installed and may impact the calibration of the Occupant Classification System.RiskThe front passenger air bag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will install a heating element, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB0.
NHTSA campaign 21V318000reported May 5, 2021Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
▲high

Suspension

AMA9
1,568 vehicles
ProblemPorsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne Turbo Coupe, and Cayenne GTS Coupe vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.RiskA broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.FixPorsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock nuts, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMA9.
NHTSA campaign 21V271000reported Apr 21, 2021Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
21complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2026: 7

Most-cited components

Electrical System6
Unspecified5
Air Bags4
Engine3
Service Brakes2
Power Train2

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver's side seat belt independently tightened and loosened. The emergency light illuminated, and a seat belt warning chime sounded continuously. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed t…”Aug 31, 2026 · Seat Belts · NHTSA owner report
“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 …”Aug 31, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“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 o…”Aug 25, 2026 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other Cayenne model years

B

2026 Porsche Cayenne

1 recalls · 3 complaints

B

2025 Porsche Cayenne

2 recalls · 6 complaints

F

2024 Porsche Cayenne

5 recalls · 5 complaints

B

2023 Porsche Cayenne

2 recalls · 5 complaints

C

2022 Porsche Cayenne

3 recalls · 3 complaints

F

2020 Porsche Cayenne

6 recalls · 24 complaints

F

2019 Porsche Cayenne

8 recalls · 42 complaints

A

2018 Porsche Cayenne

1 recalls · 14 complaints

B

2017 Porsche Cayenne

2 recalls · 17 complaints

B

2016 Porsche Cayenne

2 recalls · 39 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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