The 2021 Porsche Cayenne is associated with 19 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 7 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Electrical System, accounting for 3 reports (16% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 12 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3L 6-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 3l 6-cyl, 2.9l 6-cyl, 4L 8-Cyl plug-in hybrid, and 4l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 17 to 20 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 46 MPGe (18–21 MPG on gasoline) with up to 17 miles of electric driving range. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2021 Porsche Cayenne belongs to the 3rd generation (Type 9YA/9YB) Cayenne platform spanning model years 2019–2026.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 19 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 7 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Electrical System (3 / 16%)
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 17–20 MPG (12 variants • PHEV up to 46 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 e-Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 45 MPGe (20 MPG) | 48 MPGe (22 MPG) | 46 MPGe (21 MPG) | 17 mi EV (430 mi total) | $3,600 / yr |
| Cayenne e-Hybrid Coupe Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 45 MPGe (20 MPG) | 48 MPGe (22 MPG) | 46 MPGe (21 MPG) | 17 mi EV (430 mi total) | $3,600 / yr |
| Cayenne | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 19 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| Cayenne Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 19 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| Cayenne S | 2.9L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 18 MPG | 22 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| Cayenne S Coupe | 2.9L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 18 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| Cayenne Turbo S e-Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 40 MPGe (17 MPG) | 44 MPGe (20 MPG) | 42 MPGe (18 MPG) | 15 mi EV (370 mi total) | $4,200 / yr |
| Cayenne Turbo S e-Hybrid Coupe Plug-in Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 40 MPGe (17 MPG) | 44 MPGe (20 MPG) | 42 MPGe (18 MPG) | 15 mi EV (370 mi total) | $4,200 / yr |
| Cayenne GTS | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / yr |
| Cayenne GTS Coupe | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / yr |
| Cayenne Turbo | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / yr |
| Cayenne Turbo Coupe | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / 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.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Coupe SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| E-Hybrid SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| E-Hybrid Coupe SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| GTS Coupe SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| S Coupe SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Turbo Coupe SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Turbo S E-Hybrid SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe 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 2021 Porsche Cayenne models.
View complete 2021 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 2021 Porsche Cayenne problems & component breakdown (13 categories) →
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Defect Summary: 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."
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2021 Porsche Cayenne recalls & campaign history (7 campaigns) →