Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, airbags, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2021 Porsche Cayenne: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2021's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Porsche Cayenne. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 6-cylGas | AWD | 20 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylGas | AWD | 20 mpg |
| 4.0L 8-cylGas | AWD | 17 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 430 mi range |
| 4.0L 8-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 370 mi range |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Early check engine light
654–1,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Driver-assist and hybrid electronics drop out with little warning. Reports describe an "Adaptive Cruise Control unavailable" message that keeps coming back. Another car refused to start after a "change driver" error with both keys and had to be towed. On a hybrid, the car switched from battery to engine power while pulling away and surged forward, with "engine control system" and "e power not available" warnings. That owner reports a near collision and repeated failed repairs. A separate filing describes a car sold with a tampered odometer.
The leather dashboard peels and lifts away from the structure underneath. Owners worry the loose material could block the passenger airbag when it deploys. Porsche calls the problem cosmetic and has declined warranty or goodwill repairs. Out of warranty, the fix is replacing the whole dash, and one dealer quoted 10k. A separate report describes an "Airbag system error, please visit workshop" warning saying the driver's airbag is not working.
The car lurches while slowing to a stop. It feels like hard, brief engine braking or a sudden tap on the brakes, and then the car lets go. Reports place the lurch in low gears, at around 1200 rpm as revs fall, in every drive mode, and even while coasting. Drivers say it fights the brakes and worry it could cost traction. Both reports involve nearly new cars still under warranty.
Excerpts from complaints Cayenne owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Dashboard leather is separating and was told this could affect the airbag deployment in the case of an accident. Porsche dealership is asking 10k outside of warranty to replace the dash. If it was just cosmetic I could deal with it, but now that it is a safety concern for my passenger I feel forced to overspend. Even a reduced amount would help but a whole dash replacement sounds excessive to make sure the leather is not obstructing the airbag.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
When the vehicle is decelerating and the transmission is in gear 2 the vehicle will lurch forward interfering/fighting with the normal operation of the brakes. This consistently happens when braking to a stop. The vehicle has 260 miles and I have driven it perhaps 4 - 5 times for a total of 30 miles. This is demo vehicle bought from a Porsche dealership and under full warranty.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2021
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 Cayenne years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the third model year of the Cayenne's third generation (2019–2023).
Porsche updated the Cayenne for 2023, so a 2021 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2023 (not on a 2021)
Recall repairs are free at any Porsche dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Porsche 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.".
Risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers 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.
Porsche 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.
Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners 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 number for this recall is APB6.
Porsche 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.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers 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.
Porsche 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.
Risk: A detached steering column can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers 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.
Porsche 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.
Risk: Cracks may cause engine damage and a stall or an oil leak, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
Fix: Dealers 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.
Porsche 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.
Risk: The front passenger air bag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers 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.
Porsche 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.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Porsche 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Porsche Cayenne, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
