The 2016 Porsche Cayenne is associated with 38 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 7 reports (18% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 3L 6-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 3.6l 6-cyl, and 4.8l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 24 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 47 MPGe (22 MPG on gasoline) with up to 14 miles of electric driving range. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2016 Porsche Cayenne belongs to the 2nd generation (Type 92A / 958) Cayenne platform spanning model years 2015–2018.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 38 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 / 18%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 0 crash / 0 fire / 1 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–24 MPG (7 variants • PHEV up to 47 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Cayenne Diesel Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| Cayenne S e-Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM8) | 48 MPGe (21 MPG) | 46 MPGe (24 MPG) | 47 MPGe (22 MPG) | 14 mi EV (480 mi total) | $3,450 / yr |
| Cayenne | 3.6L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| Cayenne S | 3.6L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 16 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| Cayenne GTS | 3.6L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| Cayenne Turbo | 4.8L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 14 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / yr |
| Cayenne Turbo S | 4.8L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 14 MPG | 21 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2016 Porsche Cayenne provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 14 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| S E-Hybrid SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Porsche Cayenne models.
View complete 2016 Porsche Cayenne crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Porsche Cayenne problems & component breakdown (19 categories) →
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Defect Summary: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Defect Summary: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly circlip, installing any missing circlips, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG02.
View all 2016 Porsche Cayenne recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →