2021 Porsche Cayenne problems
The Porsche Cayenne is a series of automobiles manufactured by the German company Porsche since 2002. It is a luxury crossover SUV and has been described as both a full-sized and a mid-sized vehicle. The first generation was known internally within Porsche as the Type 9PA (955/957) or E1. It was the first V8-engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995, when the Porsche 928 was discontinued. It is also Porsche's first off-road variant vehicle since its Super and Junior tractors of the 1950s, and the first Porsche with four doors. Since 2014, the Cayenne has been sold alongside a smaller Porsche SUV, the Macan.
The second-generation Cayenne (Type 92A or E2) was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March. The Cayenne shares its platform, body frame, doors and electronics with the similar Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7. It received a facelift in 2014 with minor external changes, and introduced a new plug-in E-Hybrid version, with its public launch at the Paris Motor Show. Since 2008, all engines have featured direct injection technology. The third generation (Type PO536) was unveiled in 2017 at Stuttgart.
First generation (E1 9PA; 2002)
The original Porsche Cayenne entered into the global market to a mixed reception, but it proved itself to have excellent performance for an SUV and had comparably good handling as well as powerful engines. The lineup initially consisted of the V8-powered Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. Later in the model cycle, VR6 and diesel-powered versions joined the lineup. In the eight model years of the E1 generation, a total of 276,652 units were produced.
The base model Cayenne is powered by a 3.2-L VR6 engine producing 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp). The intake manifold is unique to Porsche, but otherwise the engine is largely the same as the VW engine. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) is 9.1 seconds with the manual transmission and 9.7 seconds with the Tiptronic S.
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Common 2021 Porsche Cayenne problems
The 2021 Porsche Cayenne has been subject to several recalls due to various issues. One such recall is related to the screw connection between the steering column and steering box, which may fail, causing a detached steering column. This can result in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
In addition to these recalls, there are common problems reported by Porsche Cayenne owners. One such issue is with the PCM (Porsche Communication Management) system, which can exhibit strange behavior such as restarting every 2-3 minutes, map loading issues, or turning on and off randomly. This problem can be caused by a software update or an electrical or physical malfunction in the unit itself. In some cases, a reset of the system back to original factory defaults can resolve the issue.
Another common problem reported by Porsche Cayenne owners is heavy gear changes or a noisy transmission. This issue is often misdiagnosed as a physical failure in the transmission itself, when the more likely cause is in fact the valve body assembly within the transmission. Failure of the mechanism can lead to wild gear shifts, which can be misdiagnosed as a physical failure in the transmission itself.
Lastly, some owners have reported issues with the rear trailing arm of the 2021 Porsche Cayenne. The clamping nuts on the rear-axle trailing arm may break over the service life of the vehicle, resulting in increased movement between the trailing arm and wheel carrier. This can lead to diminished vehicle handling, increasing the risk of serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users, and damage to property.
In summary, the 2021 Porsche Cayenne has been subject to several recalls due to various issues, and there are common problems reported by Porsche Cayenne owners, including issues with the PCM system, heavy gear changes or a noisy transmission, and problems with the rear trailing arm.
What are the main problems with Porsche Cayenne?
Porsche Cayenne Problem Counts by Year
These are the most common problems reported by owners on platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community. The most frequently reported issues are engine failures, electrical problems, and broken plastic coolant lines.
Are Porsche Cayenne expensive to maintain?
Are Porsches expensive to maintain? Yes, Porsches are expensive to maintain compared to most automakers' vehicles. Estimates from RepairPal show maintaining a Porsche costs an average of about 83% more than the industry average.
Is it worth it to buy a Porsche Cayenne?
The Porsche Cayenne has long been one of the more compelling luxury SUVs, and it's one of a very few that delivers both an engaging driving experience and opulent interior while also providing the practicality that buyers are looking for with decent passenger and cargo room.
Are Porsche Cayennes a good car?
After a sporty, premium large SUV? The Porsche Cayenne should fit the bill. It's engaging to drive, offers impressive levels of comfort and refinement, plus its excellent build quality only adds to the upmarket feel.
2021 Porsche Cayenne car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Porsche Cayenne problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine problems
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Porsche Cayenne vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2021 Porsche Cayenne complaints
The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Porsche Cayenne.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-08
- VIN: WP1AA2AY4MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Much like thousands of Cayenne drivers, I am constantly let down by an ongoing issue with Adaptive Cruise Control failures with an error message that reads, “Adaptive Cruise Control unavailable.” THIS MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF NOT REPAIRED AS VEHICULAR COLLISION RATES INCREASE DRAMATICALLY TO NO AVAIL. Porsche dealers are notoriously recalcitrant about taking adequate responsibility for these failures. The cost of repairing Porsche’s poor craftsmanship is either prohibitive or they are disinterested in repairing these problems within an acceptable timeframe. It is long past due for the Federal government to intervene and compel Porsche to recall and repair their Adaptive Cruise Control failures. I had my cameras recalibrated three (3) times in three (3) weeks and yet the problem persists without meaningful redress. HELP!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-22
- VIN: WP1AG2AY8MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I was driving the auto and parked in my garage without any indication of a fault. I attempted to start the car about 30 minutes later and the car would not start and gave an error message that said "change driver" I tried both keys and neither would allow the car to be started. There was no starter noise indicating a weak battery. I had to have the car towed to the dealer after the tow company found a way to unlock the drive shaft with a key that is part of the car service tools. I could not move the car if I had stopped on a roadside. The dealer had never seen this issue before. The car was in the shop for a week to correct the fault from March 23 to March 31. The dealer claimed it was a software fault. There were no warning indicators or messages that something was wrong with any component or system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-09
- VIN: WP1AE2AY1MD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: Problem with the hybrid system and the engine control system. Unit changed automatically and unexpectedly from battery power mode to engine power mode when on battery power mode only. This change is not supposed to happen. This failure happened when starting the unit, put on drive and starting to move forward. This failure caused the unit to charge forward with more power unexpectedly. Causing almost to collide. At the time of the failure “engine control system” warning and “e power not available” warning lid up. The unit has been for service for 10 times with the same warnings powering up. At this time the unit has been on service for almost four month.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-10-06
- VIN: WP1BA2AY0MD
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The car is notifying me that the drivers airbag is not working. the message that appears is: “Airbag system error, please visit workshop”
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-13
- VIN: WP1AB2AY4MD
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: othe car's tach increase several hundred RPM as the computer tries to match revs when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gear in Normal Mode and 2nd to 1st gear in Sport Mode.. When that happens, the car lurches forward. owhat seems to be happening is the engine is over-revving while disengaged from a gear on shifts from 3rd to 2nd and even more so on 2nd to 1st causing a lurch forward when the lower gear engages
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-09
- VIN: WP1AA2AY1MD
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the steering wheel felt loose. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tie rod bolt, track bolt, and hexagon head bolt needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted and the steering wheel was making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer - Porsche South Shore (185 W Sunrise Hwy, Freeport, NY 11520) who test drove the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the abnormal sounds. An unknown part was replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and she could not control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the second dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 750.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-01
- VIN: WP1BA2AY0MD
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: While coming to a stop the vehicle lurches around 1200 rpms as the rpms are falling. The vehicle appears to already be in 1st gear when this happens. This can be replicated in all driving modes. observation: when braking or even when coasting to a stop the vehicle will slow down rapidly, as if the brakes are being tapped hard (the brake pressure is constant and occurs even when not braking) for a brief second and then release causing a lurching motion. This lurching motion is enough to concern while driving as a possible loss of traction. it feels as if the car is engine braking. This issue puts the driver, passengers, and other vehicles at a safety risk. I have had passengers state that it gives them motion sickness. I have reported this to the dealer and they had the car twice. The second time was for a substantial amount of time. The dealer is on record stating that they can recreate it, observe it, but have not been able to fix it. they have reset the software on several systems including the transmission. there are no third party devices on the car, the car is stock, there are no warning lights.This has been the case since day one of having the car (brand new).
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-11-07
- VIN: WP1BE2AY9MD
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: when decelerating and car is in gear 2 it lurches the car forward while braking, basically fighting the attempt to slow the car down. I attribute this to aggressive downshifting, but is a safety issue because the operator then needs to compensate by pressing down on the brake pedal harder to stop the car. This has happened inconsistently when driving, but occurs more frequently than not.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-28
- VIN: wp1ae2ayxmd
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: On my Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid model, the check engine light came on at less than 1000 miles. Porsche does not know why this happens but I've heard them claim that it's a software problem that has to do with how the car communicates with the charging system. Based on my research, there has been many other owners of the same vehicle with this problem. My vehicle has been in the shop for well over 30 days and Porsche still doesn't know what to do.
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-15
- VIN: WP1AA2AY2MD
- Components: POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: When the vehicle is decelerating and the transmission is in gear 2 the vehicle will lurch forward interfering/fighting with the normal operation of the brakes. This consistently happens when braking to a stop. The vehicle has 260 miles and I have driven it perhaps 4 - 5 times for a total of 30 miles. This is demo vehicle bought from a Porsche dealership and under full warranty.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-07
- VIN: WP1AH2AY3MD
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Check engine light thrown intermittently and dealer is unable to reproduce issue. Multiple incidents of the same issue by other owners. https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-9y0-2019/1248120-grr-cel-code-654-miles-on-new-21-cayenne.html Pattern is the same. Take delivery of new car, get CEL <1000 miles, take to the dealer and dealer is unable to permanently fix or reproduce.
2021 Porsche Cayenne recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2021 Porsche Cayenne.
- Manufacturer: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
- Components: STEERING:COLUMN
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
- Components: SEATS
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
- 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.
Negative 2021 Porsche Cayenne car reviews
Positive 2021 Porsche Cayenne car reviews
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This SUV is truly stunning and well-crafted, and many would argue that it's the best-looking one on the market. The interior is beautifully designed, and it offers a smooth and quiet ride, while still handling like a sports car on winding roads. The transmission may be slow off the mark, unless you're in sports mode, or perhaps it's just turbo lag? Downshifts can be jerky, especially when coming to a stop. The motor is fast enough above 1500 RPMs, but you really have to put your foot down when passing. If you can afford it, the S model is definitely worth considering, but this model will satisfy most people.
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The e hybrid is amazing!
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Great job on the performance and handling! It's also really quiet and comfortable. I noticed that the center display has a lot of information, which can be a bit overwhelming at first, but with some time it gets easier to use.
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Switch from a 750 to a Porsche Cayenne CPO by Porsche, which comes with a 4-year warranty and options. I purchased it last summer from Vancouver Porsche Center. It's different in so many ways from a luxury sedan to a luxury SUV. Getting in and out of an SUV is easier, visibility is great, and the power on a 3.0-liter is adequate. The options are more cosmetic, such as the red leather interior, twin pipe exhaust tips, and glass roof. I have driven almost 5k km so far, on a mix of highway and city, and the fuel economy is within forecast. On the highway, I have gotten as low as 10l/100km and in the city 13.5l/100km. The comfort is good and not as soft as my previous 750ix, which was loaded with all sorts of options. I do miss the heads-up indicators projected on the windshield. So far, it's been great. I went back to complain about the jerky shift in gears, especially gearing down, and the dealer reset and reprogrammed the transmission. It shifts smoothly now, and I have no further concerns. I am waiting to see how this SUV handles in the winter this year. It comes with the option of 21-inch rims and Pirelli all-season (offset) size. The tires have about 70% left on the tread. I have been looking at tire replacements, but the selection is limited for its size. I may go with Continental DWS plus, which was great on the 750ix. I am hoping that by the time I have to replace them, some tire manufacturer will offer all-weather tires, which are ideal in Vancouver.
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Superb blend of performance and luxury. This car surpasses the other luxury SUVs in every way.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Porsche Cayenne problems:
Porsche Cayenne Coupe 2021 ISSUES!!!!!! : r/Porsche
Jun 15, 2021 ... It goes whenever anything power or power delivery related shows faults. Airbag system is connected to multiple accelerometers and my guess is ...
Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe, PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS ...
Apr 4, 2021 ... I bought a new 2021 Cayenne this summer. Had ... I haven't experienced some of the frequent problems ... Porsche Cayenne Recalls and TSBs · Home ...
Porsche Cayenne Forums
Most of first-generation -Cayenne owners go thru most common problems such as - 1. Leaking Coolant Pipes in engine Valley (The original factory coolant pipes ...
2021 Porsche Cayenne Problems, Issues & Top Complaints ...
Engine Problems. One complaint is categorized as a powertrain and engine problem. It also appears to be a brake problem and is described in the complaint as a ...
Other years of Porsche Cayenne
Are you having problems with your 2021 Porsche Cayenne?
Sid Cremin 2024-11-16
When test driving a Porsche, it's important to keep in mind that the company may consider some abnormal things to be normal. I am currently in arbitration about my custom order Cayenne Turbo, which cost me $165k. While buying the car was the best experience I ever had, the following year has been difficult due to issues with the PSCB brakes. I recommend doing your research and avoiding these brakes, as they tend to squeal loudly when coming to a stop. Instead, consider investing in PCCB brakes for a better driving experience. If you're looking for a high-performance SUV, it may be worth waiting for Porsche to release a newer model or exploring other options. Despite my issues, I still believe that Porsche offers a unique driving experience. I have evidence of my brake issues, including videos and pictures of a loose wiring harness, but Porsche claims that these issues are normal.
Norwood Rempel 2024-10-21
The Porsche Cayenne hybrid unfortunately experienced a breakdown at 35,000 miles and was unable to be repaired. The offer to buy back the vehicle was not satisfactory and the overall experience was quite disappointing. As a previous owner of four Porsches, I was surprised by this negative experience and have decided not to purchase from them again. It is important to exercise caution when considering a purchase from this brand.
Allen Johnston 2024-08-09
I've been driving my 2019 Cayenne Hybrid for a month now and it's been an absolute dream. The Sport and Sport Plus modes make it handle like a full-time sports car, while the Electric and Hybrid modes make my fuel last and last. There's plenty of room for golf clubs and camping gear, and the air-conditioned seats are a lifesaver in the desert. However, I did encounter an issue with the Apple Car Play installed in the car. Unfortunately, it's a stripped-down version that severely limits my ability to make phone calls. It's disappointing that Porsche would downgrade an otherwise great car with this software. I recommend that you have your dealer share all the Apple Car Play features with you before making a purchase. Overall, I'm still very happy with my Cayenne Hybrid and would highly recommend it.
Darwin Stanton 2024-06-09
Hey there! I noticed that the 2021 Cayenne no longer has the P on the gear shift. I've been driving for over 30 years and I'm used to always pushing the gear shift forward to P for parking, including with my traded-in 2014 Cayenne. Unfortunately, my muscle memory kicked in after I turned off the engine, causing the car to roll down my driveway and hit a tree. Just wanted to give you a heads up!
Carter Bechtelar 2024-05-06
I found only one thing I love about this Cayenne Hybrid, the driving on the highway. It's fast and quiet, much better than my BMW and Volvo. However, there are some issues with the infotainment system, rear kick close truck defect, and occasional check engine light. Additionally, the music control doesn't allow for replay. Despite these issues, I still enjoy driving the car on the highway.