2021 Porsche Cayenne: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Porsche Cayenne: 5 recalls, 21 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #21V271000 · 2021 · 1,568 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A broken lock nut May misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock nuts, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2021.
Airbags, Seats Vehicle recall #21V318000 · 2021 · 136 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The front passenger air bag May fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will install a heating element, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021.
Steering Vehicle recall #21V493000 · 2021 · 27 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A detached steering column can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a new screw, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021.
Suspension, Tires Vehicle recall #22V040000 · 2022 · 1,241 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Rear axle misalignment May cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V896000 · 2025 · 172,107 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the driver assistance software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (6): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
- Other / unknown (5): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2021 Porsche Cayenne has 21 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 23 Cayenne model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 22). Complaints peaked in 2026 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 31,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (24 complaints, 4 recalls), 2022 (4 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Porsche Cayenne problems?
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (6), other / unknown (5), airbags (4).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Porsche Cayenne repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.