Porsche Cayenne Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Porsche Cayenne model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2007 drew the fewest (1) and the 2014 the most (53).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Tires | — | 14–16 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | 13–16 |
| 2022 | 4 | 2 | Air bags | — | 16–21 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
4 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | — | 17–19 |
| 2023 | 5 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | 16–19 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
5 | 4 | Exterior lighting | — | 17–19 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
5 | 2 | Forward collision avoidance | — | 17–22 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
13 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 17–22 |
| 2015 | 14 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 17–23 |
| 2009 | 15 | 2 | Power train | — | 13–16 |
| 2017 | 17 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 17–22 |
| 2021 | 21 | 5 | Electrical system | — | 17–21 |
| 2020 | 25 | 4 | Engine | — | 17–21 |
| 2008 | 32 | 3 | Engine | — | 13–16 |
| 2012 | 33 | 4 | Power train | — | 17–21 |
| 2013 | 40 | 3 | Power train | — | 16–23 |
| 2016 | 40 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | 16–24 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
45 | 6 | Air bags | — | 17–21 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
47 | 4 | Engine | — | 17–21 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
53 | 3 | Power train | — | 15–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Porsche Cayenne years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2014 Porsche Cayenne: 53 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 17 (32%); Air bags 9 (17%); Electrical system 6 (11%).
Reports mention 1 fire, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 42,535 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Porsche Cayenne: 47 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 24 (51%); Power train 14 (30%); Air bags 3 (6%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Porsche Cayenne: 45 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 11 (24%); Electrical system 10 (22%); Engine 6 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Porsche Cayenne years with the fewest complaints
2010 Porsche Cayenne: 1 complaints
2 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Porsche Cayenne: 13 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (23%); Engine 3 (23%); Air bags 2 (15%).
1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Porsche Cayenne owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 2015 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 53 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 42,535 |
| 2013 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67,000 |
| 2012 | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 53,000 |
| 2011 | 47 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 101,000 |
| 2008 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 80,437 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Porsche Cayenne recalls
- Headlight Adjustment Screw Missing Cover/FMVSS 108 (2003–2017 model years; 222,858 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2022; 22V656000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2019–2025 model years; 172,107 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2025; 25V896000)
- Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable (2003–2010 model years; 99,665 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2019; 19V446000)
- Missing Brake Pedal Clip may cause Loss of Braking (2011–2016 model years; 88,300 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2016; 16V169000)
- Fuel Pump Flange May Crack Causing Fuel Leak (2003–2006 model years; 50,145 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2017; 17V576000)
All 32 Porsche Cayenne recall campaigns · Porsche Cayenne problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Porsche Cayenne years FAQ
Which Porsche Cayenne year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2007 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Porsche Cayenne years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2014, 2011 and 2019 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Porsche Cayenne problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (103 of 420 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Porsche Cayenne have?
NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns covering the Porsche Cayenne. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Porsche Cayenne recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.