2021 Porsche CAYENNE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
31,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 21 complaints (23.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Electrical System: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2021: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 3; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11433048 · 2021-09-15 (September 15, 2021)
Check engine light thrown intermittently and dealer is unable to reproduce issue. Multiple incidents of the same issue by other owners. https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-9y0-2019/1248120-grr-cel-code-654-miles-on-new-21-cayenne.html Pattern is the same. Take delivery of new car, get CEL <1000 miles, take to the dealer and dealer is unable to permanently fix or reproduce.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433244 · 2021-09-16 (September 16, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433317 · 2021-09-17 (September 17, 2021)
On my Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid model, the check engine light came on at less than 1000 miles. Porsche does not know why this happens but I've heard them claim that it's a software problem that has to do with how the car communicates with the charging system. Based on my research, there has been many other owners of the same vehicle with this problem. My vehicle has been in the shop for well over 30 days and Porsche still doesn't know what to do.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11439658 · 2021-11-08 (November 8, 2021)
when decelerating and car is in gear 2 it lurches the car forward while braking, basically fighting the attempt to slow the car down. I attribute this to aggressive downshifting, but is a safety issue because the operator then needs to compensate by pressing down on the brake pedal harder to stop the car. This has happened inconsistently when driving, but occurs more frequently than not.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11439658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453559 · 2022-02-23 (February 23, 2022)
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 fe…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453894 · 2022-02-24 (February 24, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the steering wheel felt loose. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tie rod bolt, track bolt, and hexagon head bolt needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted and the steering wheel was making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer - Porsche South Shore (185 W Sunrise Hwy, Freeport, NY 11520) wh…
Owner-reported narrative. 750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11453894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479124 · 2022-08-13 (August 13, 2022)
othe car's tach increase several hundred RPM as the computer tries to match revs when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gear in Normal Mode and 2nd to 1st gear in Sport Mode.. When that happens, the car lurches forward. owhat seems to be happening is the engine is over-revving while disengaged from a gear on shifts from 3rd to 2nd and even more so on 2nd to 1st causing a lurch forward when the lower gear engages
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488919 · 2022-10-12 (October 12, 2022)
The car is notifying me that the drivers airbag is not working. the message that appears is: “Airbag system error, please visit workshop”
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488919 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V271000 · Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly
Reported: 2021-04-21 (April 21, 2021)
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.
Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V318000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | Seats
Reported: 2021-05-05 (May 5, 2021)
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.
Consequence: The front passenger air bag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V493000 · Steering:Column
Reported: 2021-06-30 (June 30, 2021)
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.
Consequence: A detached steering column can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V040000 · Suspension:Rear | Tires
Reported: 2022-01-28 (January 28, 2022)
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.
Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V896000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2025-12-19 (December 19, 2025)
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."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗