2016 Porsche Cayenne
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints is the largest identified problem area: 10 of 39 complaints (26%) mention it. 15 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised.
Complaints filed rose from 13 in 2015 to 39 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–5,150 | 3,500–4,550 | 3,500–4,850 | 3,500–4,550 | 3,500–4,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–23 | 17–23 | 16–24 | 17–22 | 17–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–20 / 20–29 | 14–21 / 21–29 | 14–21 / 21–28 | 14–21 / 21–24 | 14–21 / 21–24 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 414–576 | 445–536 | 434–541 | 432–536 | 432–536 | |
| Complaints filed | 53 | 13 | 39 | 16 | 13 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Porsche Cayenne have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Porsche Cayenne get?
EPA rates it 16–24 MPG combined across 7 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Porsche Cayenne?
EPA estimates $3,500–$4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 435 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 461 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg | 23 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 483 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.8L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 536 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.8L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 541 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gas or Electricity | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 (low) | 260 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,750 | 434 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 22V656000 · Aug 31, 2022
Defect: 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."
Consequence: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · Campaign 16V169000 · Mar 23, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.