Porsche Cayenne Complaints

666 consumer complaints on file.

#11755286August 6, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery completely discharged and the safety switch in the battery malfunctions and battery can not be charged again. There are many complaints seen online about the battery problems Porsche has. This strands the car and me the driver. The dealer and independent mechanics said the same. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754655August 4, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2020 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that the rear-view camera became inoperable while reversing and then turned on. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to trade the vehicle due to the open recall. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the software update was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753055July 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TIRES
The contact owns a 2017 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that the vehicle was hacked. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's assistance safety features malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to swerve despite the driver's efforts to drive straight. Infotainment settings confirmed that the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) system was engaged. Additionally, the message "External Usage External Equipment External Drivers remove the features" was displayed, and the cruise control was unintentionally engaged with messages for "Trailer," "Slippery Changing Max Settings," "Navigation Off," "Road feature Off," "Risk of an Accident," and "Pull Over, remove the key from the ignition and reset vehicle". The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle unintentionally shifted into Drive and Neutral at the same time. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to stop while depressing the brake pedal, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road and allow the vehicle to roll to a stop. Other failures included unintended engagement of the windshield wipers and heater. Per the owner's manual, the contact opened the infotainment settings, where the notification "Other Device External Usage" was displayed. Additionally, all four tire sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the insurance company, the Police Department, and the manufacturer were contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that all four tires blew up while driving, and the vehicle was towed to Porsche Charlotte Northlake (10205 Ronald Withrow Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28216); where the tires were replaced. The vehicle was not further repaired. The tire information was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752100July 22, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2019 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the back-over prevention camera failed to provide a rear-view image. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention); and associated the failure with the recall. The local dealer was contacted; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750486July 15, 2026
AIR BAGS
The dashboard is peeling up and is unsafe due to airbag being underneath the leather dash. If airbag was to blow it would not function correctly due to dashboard leather peeling. Could potentially injur passenger or not deploy at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749717July 11, 2026
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and is bubbling on the entire top where the Airbag sits. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing the entire dashboard! This is a very common issue with Porsche, and a safety concern which seems due to the fact that Porsche did not use the correct adhesive on all most of cars build in the last 10 years. The dashboard is not withstanding normal sun light and this causes a safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748836July 7, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Porsche Cayenne. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale from Facebook Market Place. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 125,383, but after performing an AutoCheck of the vehicle, it was discovered that the mileage was 205,154.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748386July 5, 2026
SUSPENSION
While driving at highway speed, my 2022 Porsche Cayenne S experienced an air suspension / air spring strut failure requiring a dealer repair costing approximately $4,000. Porsche has a related service campaign, WND6 / No. 74-22, for replacement of the front-right air-spring strut on certain 2021-2022 Cayenne vehicles, but stated that my VIN wasn't included in this service campaign. I am reporting this because my vehicle suffered the same failure mode described in the campaign, creating handling and suspension safety concerns. This failure manifested itself while drive increasing the risk of a serious accident. At the time of the incident, the car was 4 years 5 months old and had less than 10,000 miles. The issue first manifested itself with a warning: Chassis System Fault. It then followed up a few miles later with a critical fault: Chassis System Failed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747086June 29, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On the afternoon of June 24, 2026, at approximately 5:40 PM, I experienced a severe, sudden braking system failure that directly caused a rear-end collision. I was driving my 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid on the highway, traveling to a concert scheduled for 7:00 PM. The highway traffic was heavy and slow-moving (stop-and-go). I was cruising at a moderate speed of approximately 40 to 50 mph. The vehicle ahead of me applied its brakes and came to a gradual, normal stop. I was maintaining a very safe following distance of approximately 30 meters (around 100 feet) behind that vehicle. As I perceived the traffic stopping, I immediately attempted to apply my brakes. However, the brake pedal instantly became extremely hard, felt completely locked up like a stone, and was impossible to press down. Despite having ample distance to stop and applying all my body weight and force onto the brake pedal, there was zero brake assistance from the vehicle, and the brakes failed to engage. The onboard Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking also failed to prevent the accident. As a result, I was completely unable to reduce the speed of the car, and my vehicle rolled forward and collided into the rear of the car in front of me. This was entirely a mechanical/electronic safety system failure. The vehicle is currently available for inspection, and I am requesting a full diagnostic download of the EDR and DME data before any repairs are performed.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746995June 28, 2026
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2020 Porsche Cayenne has experienced leather dashboard delamination, with the leather separating, shrinking, and lifting from the dashboard substrate on both the driver and passenger sides. The delamination extends across the upper dashboard, including areas adjacent to the passenger airbag deployment zone. I am concerned that loose or detached dashboard material could interfere with, delay, or alter the proper deployment of the passenger airbag during a collision, increasing the risk of injury. The continued deterioration also raises concerns about the integrity of the dashboard structure over time. Porsche inspected the vehicle and determined that the repair requires replacement of the entire dashboard assembly at an estimated cost of approximately $8,000 to $10,000. This indicates the condition is not a cosmetic issue but requires replacement of a major dashboard component. I have identified numerous reports from other Porsche owners describing the same leather dashboard delamination on late model Cayenne vehicles, suggesting this is a recurring manufacturing defect rather than an isolated occurrence. Porsche is part of the Volkswagen Group. Audi, another Volkswagen Group brand, issued Technical Service Bulletin 2071698/1 (NHTSA TSB MC-10245529-0001) addressing leather dashboard delamination caused by adhesive failure. The bulletin describes bubbling, wrinkling, loose leather, and delamination and instructs dealers to replace the dashboard. Audi also issued a limited warranty extension for affected vehicles. While Audi's bulletin does not apply to Porsche vehicles, it demonstrates that Volkswagen Group has recognized this type of dashboard adhesive failure. I request that NHTSA investigate whether Porsche Cayenne dashboard delamination constitutes a safety defect with the potential to affect passenger airbag deployment and occupant protection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747045June 28, 2026
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo (EA825 4.0L V8, VIN [XXX]). Vacuum-actuated water pump seal failure caused coolant infiltration of the vacuum system on two separate occasions during the CPO warranty period. The vacuum system on this engine supplies the brake servo (brake booster) — a safety-critical connection documented in Porsche and Audi's own engineering literature for this engine (NHTSA document MC-XXX). First failure: XXX (92,916 miles, RO XXX). Towed in overheating. Technician documented coolant infiltrating vacuum system. Coolant pump replaced. Vacuum lines not inspected or replaced. Vacuum pump not inspected or replaced. PCNA's own ATI 2235.1 (NHTSA MC-XXX) required vacuum line inspection — not performed. Second failure: October 3, 2025 (103,904 miles, RO 207205). Coolant documented at timing chain cover. Coolant pump replaced. Change-over valve not replaced — required unconditionally by ATI 2235.1. Vacuum lines not inspected or replaced. No PQIS fault code logged — required by PCNA TSB 2307 (NHTSA MC-XXX). No oil analysis performed. No timing chain cavity inspection. Service visit performed one month before CPO expiration. Third visit: XXX (103,988 miles, RO XXX). Cracked breather hose found 84 miles after second service. Vacuum system still unremediated. Current failure: March 2026. Severe valvetrain noise on cylinder bank 2. Engine-out diagnosis required. Estimate $13,286.57. Vehicle currently at Porsche Novi/Farmington Hills. PCNA denied coverage June 25, 2026 without referencing a single technical bulletin, repair order, or published protocol from the documented record. The brake servo vacuum supply connection — documented in PCNA and Audi's own engineering literature — makes this a safety matter. PCNA's own TI 173/21 (NHTSA MC-XXX) explicitly covers the V8 Biturbo variant and was not followed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745533June 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The hybrid cooling system on my 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid repeatedly displayed a red dashboard warning while the vehicle was in motion: "Hybrid coolant level too low / Park vehicle safely / Let vehicle cool down." This warning appeared on multiple occasions at speeds of approximately 22 mph, 38–40 mph, and 47 mph, as documented in timestamped photos and videos taken in November 2025. A separate warning in July 2025 read: "Engine cannot be started / Remove charger plug." The warnings indicate a potential thermal management or hybrid cooling system failure. A moving vehicle being instructed to park and cool down presents a safety risk to the driver and others, particularly if the condition causes sudden power loss or thermal event. The vehicle was serviced at an authorized Porsche dealer in 2025. Despite that service activity, the hybrid coolant warning recurred while driving in November 2025, suggesting the underlying condition was not fully resolved. The issue was reported to the manufacturer (PCNA), who acknowledged it under a case number and offered a service voucher. The selling dealer attributed the concerns to a manufacturer charging-cable campaign. Neither response addressed the recurring in-motion warning or confirmed the hybrid cooling system was repaired. Timestamped photo and video evidence is available showing the dashboard warnings and vehicle speed at time of occurrence. Complete repair orders have been requested but not yet provided. The component may be available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745194June 19, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The emergency braking system light and the adaptive control cruise control is not working in the warning. Lights are on from Dave that I’ve got it from day one January 2026.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744923June 18, 2026
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744537June 16, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Porsche Cayenne. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to O’Reilly's for a diagnostic test, the diagnostic report listed the mileage at 209,000; however, at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000. The dealer was not notified of the discrepancy, as per the Attorney's advice.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742202June 4, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
1. Driving Conditions & Baseline State I was operating my new 2026 Porsche Cayenne (current mileage approx. 717 miles) at highway speeds inside a tunnel near LAX. The vehicle was functioning normally under normal driving conditions until the incident occurred suddenly and without any prior warning signs. 2. Onset of Failure & Dashboard Alerts - While maintaining speed, the vehicle suffered an immediate, simultaneous electronic and mechanical malfunction. The dashboard abruptly displayed an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) error/failure warning, along with auto start/stop failure. Immediately following this alert, the vehicle experienced a severe, sudden loss of mechanical power and propulsion. 3. Vehicle Behavior & Safety Hazard Pressing the accelerator pedal failed to yield normal engine response or acceleration. The drop in power felt as though the vehicle entered an unprompted "limp mode" or suffered a critical powertrain/software communication failure, severely limiting my ability to maintain highway speeds. Because this occurred inside a highway tunnel, the sudden deceleration presented an immediate and extreme safety hazard, nearly causing a rear-end collision with the traffic behind me. I was forced to navigate the underpowered vehicle out of the active lanes of traffic under highly dangerous conditions. After pulling over to a safe area and cycling the ignition (turning the vehicle off and back on), the mechanical power partially/fully returned, suggesting a transient or software-driven electronic control unit (ECU) fault. The historical error codes should be stored in the vehicle's modules. 4. Post-Incident State The vehicle was presented to McKenna Porsche (Norwalk, CA) the following day for diagnosis of the power loss and ACC failure. Safety Implications & Requested Action This component failure constitutes a critical safety defect. A total or partial loss of propulsion at highway speeds poses an unreasonable risk of severe injury or crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740920May 29, 2026
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing the entire dashboard which costs over $10,000. This is apparently a very common issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740501May 27, 2026
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:AIR HANDLER/CHAMBER, DUCTS, AND VALVES
I am filing a complaint regarding an ongoing and unresolved HVAC odor issue affecting my 2023 Porsche Cayenne S Platinum Edition. Since shortly after taking ownership, the vehicle has consistently produced a strong mildew/musty odor after sitting for several hours. The odor is most noticeable upon startup and only dissipates once the air conditioning system begins circulating. The vehicle has been in and out of the dealership multiple times for diagnosis and repair attempts, yet the issue remains unresolved. Despite the vehicle remaining under the original manufacturer warranty, the dealership has refused to replace the evaporator coil, which I believe to be the source of the issue. The persistent odor negatively impacts vehicle usability and raises concerns regarding potential mold, bacteria, or HVAC contamination within the system. I am requesting further investigation into this issue and Porsche’s handling of repeated unresolved repair attempts under warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740164May 26, 2026
ENGINE
"Engine temperature too high. Park vehicle and allow engine to cool". warning at 50,000 miles which the mechanic says this is a huge problem with all Porsche, Audi and VW due to water coolant changeover valve which fails and also stated that Porsche is aware and should have a "bulletin" open on this issue?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739293May 21, 2026
AIR BAGS
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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