2021 Porsche Cayenne
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 6 of 21 complaints (29%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 25 in 2020 to 21 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–4,550 | 3,700–4,550 | 3,700–4,550 | 3,700–4,850 | 4,100–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–21 | 17–21 | 17–21 | 16–21 | 16–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–20 / 19–23 | 15–20 / 19–23 | 15–20 / 19–23 | 14–20 / 19–22 | 14–17 / 19–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 427–529 | 432–535 | 432–535 | 466–555 | 466–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 42 | 25 | 21 | 3 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
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 2021 Porsche Cayenne have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Porsche Cayenne?
Electrical: 6 of 21 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne get?
EPA rates it 17–21 MPG combined across 12 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Porsche Cayenne?
EPA estimates $3,700–$4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (12)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 432 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 437 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 2.9L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 448 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 533 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 2.9L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 460 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 525 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 529 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 535 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (high) | 22 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 257 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (high) | 22 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 257 g/mi |
Show 2 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 320 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 320 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (5)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 25V896000 · Dec 22, 2025
Defect: 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.
TIRES; SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 22V040000 · Jan 28, 2022
Defect: 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.
STEERING:COLUMN · Campaign 21V493000 · Jul 1, 2021
Defect: 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.
SEATS; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · Campaign 21V318000 · May 5, 2021
Defect: 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.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 21V271000 · Apr 22, 2021
Defect: 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.