Recalls
5campaigns
1 rear camera · 1 tire · 1 steering
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
21filed
Owner reports, 2017–2026 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
21mpg combined
$3,110/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
3 L 6-cyl· 8-speed automatic
12 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (5)
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2021 Porsche Cayenne. Not checked against your VIN.
Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111
Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
- 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."
- 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.
47.2% repairedof 172,107 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V896000
Listed for 2021 Porsche Cayenne. Not checked against your VIN.
Rear Axle May Be Misaligned
Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- 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.
99.4% repairedof 1,241 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V040000
Listed for 2021 Porsche Cayenne. Not checked against your VIN.
Steering Column Can Detach
Steering · column
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
70.4% repairedof 27 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V493000
Listed for 2021 Porsche Cayenne. Not checked against your VIN.
Missing Seat Heater May Prevent Air Bag Deployment
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
96.3% repairedof 136 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V318000
Listed for 2021 Porsche Cayenne. Not checked against your VIN.
Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break
Suspension · rear · axle · non-powered axle assembly
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
98.2% repairedof 1,568 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V271000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (21)
21 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 28.6% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 23.8% |
| Air bags | 4 | 19% |
| Engine | 3 | 14.3% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 9.5% |
| Power train | 2 | 9.5% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 9.5% |
| Steering | 2 | 9.5% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | 4.8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 4.8% |
How 2021 compares with other Cayenne years
Best and worst Cayenne years →201717
201813
201945
202025
202121
20224
20235
20245
20255
20264
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 17 | 2 |
| 2018 | 13 | 1 |
| 2019 | 45 | 6 |
| 2020 | 25 | 4 |
| 2021 | 21 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 | 2 |
| 2026 | 4 | 1 |
This year (2021)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
21
mpg combined
20
city
22
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 257 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 22 / 21 | $3,900 | 257 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 22 / 21 | $3,900 | 257 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 20 | $4,100 | 432 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 20 | $4,100 | 437 |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 22 / 20 | $4,100 | 448 |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 22 / 19 | $4,350 | 460 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 20 / 18 | $4,550 | 320 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 20 / 18 | $4,550 | 320 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | $4,850 | 533 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | $4,850 | 525 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | $4,850 | 529 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | $4,850 | 535 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 Cayenne for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2021 Porsche Cayenne FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 25V896000 (rear camera), 22V040000 (tire), 21V493000 (steering), 21V318000 (air bag), 21V271000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 Porsche Cayenne problems?
Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (6), Unknown or other (5), Air bags (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 20 city, 22 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2021 Cayenne compare with other years?
Among the 2017–2021 Porsche Cayenne model years at least five years old, the 2018 drew the fewest complaints (13) and the 2019 the most (45). The 2021 drew 21. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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