2021 Porsche Cayenne Complaints

STEERING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/04/2026

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 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 02/12/2026

Instrument cluster anti-glare film or delamination on center and left instrument cluster. The film is wearing away in certain irregular sport and shapes. The overall wear is impacting the visibility to the center cluster under certain conditions leading to obscure visibility to important information, including vehicle speed or other warning light. It has been raised to the dealer, then to Porsche NA, but the dealer has stated they (Porsche NA) will not cover the repair, even though the vehicle is under a CPO warranty. This first started appearing this year and has gotten worse over time. No unusual cleaning, harsh chemicals or other abrasive object were used. The nature of film is slick issue is inconsistent with this and does not appear on other parts of the user interface - just the more important ones. Porsche NA initially blamed the dealership, and then later denied my claim and now escalating.

BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 11/15/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera failed to display a clear image on the screen. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the rear vehicle detection sensor failed to alert the driver of a nearby vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/03/2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase on 5/29/25, the mileage was 21,000. The contact had taken the vehicle to another dealer for other repairs, and the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was flagged for Odometer Fraud, and the actual mileage was 90,000. The dealer found an odometer tampering device still located on the vehicle, but deactivated the device. The contact called the State Attorney General's Office for New Jersey.

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/02/2025

I am reporting a safety defect with my 2021 Porsche Cayenne GTS. The leather dashboard is delaminating and lifting away from its underlying structure. This defect is concerning because: The delamination is occurring on the drivers side but will eventually expand in the area covering the passenger-side airbag. If the airbag deploys, the raised/lifted dashboard material may interfere with or obstruct proper deployment, posing a serious risk to passenger safety. Porsche Cars North America (PNA) has been notified, but they classify this issue as “cosmetic” and refuse to repair it voluntarily under warranty or goodwill. Furthermore, The issue was not disclosed by the dealer at purchase. I have consulted two Porsche dealerships, both of which confirmed Porsche considers this a cosmetic defect not covered by the Certified Pre Owned warranty. However, given the location and potential interaction with the airbag system, I strongly believe this constitutes a safety-related defect that requires investigation. Online forums show this is a common issue across many models made by Porsche during this time but specifically SUV's. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue to determine whether the delaminating dashboards in Porsche Cayenne models create a safety hazard that requires a recall and mandatory repair.

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/20/2025

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/08/2024

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!

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 03/22/2023

I was driving the auto and parked in my garage without any indication of a fault. I attempted to start the car about 30 minutes later and the car would not start and gave an error message that said "change driver" I tried both keys and neither would allow the car to be started. There was no starter noise indicating a weak battery. I had to have the car towed to the dealer after the tow company found a way to unlock the drive shaft with a key that is part of the car service tools. I could not move the car if I had stopped on a roadside. The dealer had never seen this issue before. The car was in the shop for a week to correct the fault from March 23 to March 31. The dealer claimed it was a software fault. There were no warning indicators or messages that something was wrong with any component or system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 03/09/2023

Problem with the hybrid system and the engine control system. Unit changed automatically and unexpectedly from battery power mode to engine power mode when on battery power mode only. This change is not supposed to happen. This failure happened when starting the unit, put on drive and starting to move forward. This failure caused the unit to charge forward with more power unexpectedly. Causing almost to collide. At the time of the failure “engine control system” warning and “e power not available” warning lid up. The unit has been for service for 10 times with the same warnings powering up. At this time the unit has been on service for almost four month.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/06/2022

The car is notifying me that the drivers airbag is not working. the message that appears is: “Airbag system error, please visit workshop”