Last updated: 2026-03-14

RELIABILITY SCORE: 58/100 (MIXED)

2021 Porsche Cayenne Reliability Report

Name: 2021 Porsche Cayenne
Brand: Porsche

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne scores 58/100 ("Mixed"). With 5 recalls and 12 owner complaints, buyers should proceed with caution.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

5.7

per 10k sold

Est. Annual Cost

$1231

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity71/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs30/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact63/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity79/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Caution

Mixed reliability — proceed with caution and budget for repairs.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
AIR BAGS (3)
POWER TRAIN (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 3)

2021 is year 3 of the Third generation (9YA/9YB).

Redesigned for the 2019 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
A refresh arrives in 2023.
3rd generation Cayenne (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2019: Third generation (9YA/9YB) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is year 3 of the Third generation (9YA/9YB).

2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2021 Porsche Cayenne?

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne scores 58/100 ("Mixed"). Buyers should proceed with caution. 2021 is year 3 of the Third generation (9YA/9YB).

With 12 owner complaints and 5 recalls, the complaint volume is above average. Reported issues — particularly in electrical system (3) — can be costly to repair.

An extended warranty is strongly recommended. A thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on electrical system (3) is essential before committing.

Compared to the 2022 Porsche Cayenne, which scored 2 points higher. See also the 2020 Porsche Cayenne for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Below-average complaint rate for SUV
+Well-established generation
+Only 12 complaints reported

Cons

−Below-average reliability score
−Above-average repair costs for its class
−Frequent unscheduled repairs
−Moderate recall count

Compare 2021 Porsche Cayenne With

2021 BMW X5

Reliability: 57/100

Mixed

2021 Audi Q7

Reliability: 59/100

Mixed

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Reliability: 65/100

Good

2021 Lexus GX

Reliability: 80/100

Excellent

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

5 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne has 5 recalls on record. This is a moderate number. Each recall represents a safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

5.7

per 10k sold

Segment avg: 16.9

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Porsche Cayenne Recall Details

5 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

21V2710002021-04-21

SUSPENSION

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.

21V3180002021-05-05

SEATS, AIR BAGS

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.

21V3410002021-05-12

ENGINE

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne GTS, and Cayenne GTS Coupe vehicles. Cracks may develop on the surface of the engine cylinder bore.

Consequence

Cracks may cause engine damage and a stall or an oil leak, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB1.

2021 Porsche Cayenne NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas / HEV Powertrain

Rollover risk: 0.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (N/A)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Porsche Cayenne Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

1.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$1231

vs $807 avg for luxury midsize SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

1.1

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

21%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Cayenne

$1231

Category Avg

$807

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Porsche Cayenne.

Inspect dashboard for leather delamination, especially near airbags
Test drive to check for transmission lurching during deceleration
Verify Adaptive Cruise Control functionality
Check for consistent check engine lights, especially in hybrid models
Ensure no odometer discrepancies or signs of tampering
Confirm recall repairs, especially for back over prevention system

Buying a 2021 Cayenne? Check Its History First

Every 2021 Porsche Cayenne has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN

2021 Porsche Cayenne Common Problems by Component

12 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)AIR BAGS (3)POWER TRAIN (2)STEERING (1)SERVICE BRAKES (1)BACK OVER PREVENTION (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

Owners of the 2021 Porsche Cayenne report persistent issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the Adaptive Cruise Control and hybrid system. Complaints frequently mention the Adaptive Cruise Control becoming unavailable, with repeated attempts at camera recalibration failing to resolve the issue. Another common problem involves unexpected switching from battery to engine power in hybrid models, leading to sudden acceleration and potential safety risks. Additionally, one owner describes a significant odometer discrepancy, suggesting possible odometer tampering. These issues are reported at various stages of vehicle ownership, with some vehicles undergoing multiple service visits without resolution. Safety implications include increased risk of collision due to sudden power changes and potential loss of control.

4 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

Owners of the 2021 Porsche Cayenne report issues with unexpected engine behavior and persistent check engine lights. Several complaints describe the car lurching forward due to the engine over-revving during downshifts from 3rd to 2nd and 2nd to 1st gear, particularly in Normal and Sport modes. Additionally, multiple owners of the Cayenne e-Hybrid model experience check engine lights appearing at less than 1,000 miles, with reports suggesting a potential software issue related to the vehicle's charging system. This problem often leads to extended service visits as dealers struggle to diagnose and resolve the issue. No safety implications such as crashes or loss of control are mentioned in the complaints.

3 complaints total

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

Owners of the 2021 Porsche Cayenne frequently report issues related to the dashboard leather separating or delaminating, which they believe may interfere with airbag deployment. Typical symptoms include the leather lifting away from the dashboard structure, particularly on the driver's side, with potential to affect the passenger-side airbag area. Additionally, some owners receive dashboard notifications indicating an "Airbag system error." These issues often arise outside of warranty coverage, leading to significant repair costs. Although no crashes or injuries are reported, the potential obstruction of airbag deployment is a noted safety concern.

3 complaints total

POWER TRAIN (2 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

Owners report issues with the 2021 Porsche Cayenne's power train, specifically involving lurching motions during deceleration. Complaints frequently mention that when the vehicle is coming to a stop, it lurches around 1200 RPMs, often feeling as if the car is engine braking or fighting against the brakes. This behavior is noted both while braking and coasting to a stop, and is observed in vehicles with very low mileage, including one with only 260 miles. Safety implications are highlighted by owners who describe the lurching as a potential loss of traction risk and note that it can cause motion sickness for passengers. These issues are reported from the point of purchase, suggesting they occur in new or nearly new vehicles.

2 complaints total

STEERING (1 complaints)

STEERING

1 complaint

2021-08-09

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.

SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

2021-11-07

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.

BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints)

BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

2025-11-15

The contact owns a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera failed to display a clear image on the screen. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the rear vehicle detection sensor failed to alert the driver of a nearby vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

When Do 2021 Porsche Cayenne Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

<1,000 milesCheck engine light

<1,000 milesTransmission lurching

Best & Worst Porsche Cayenne Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Porsche Cayenne Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Porsche Cayenne year is 2018 with a reliability score of 62/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2025 (61/100) and 2023 (61/100).

Top Pick

Good

Porsche Cayenne Years to Avoid

No Porsche Cayenne years are statistical outliers in our data.

All model years score consistently well. The Porsche Cayenne maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.

See full Porsche Cayenne years-to-avoid analysis

Porsche Cayenne Reliability Score Trend

Porsche Cayenne reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 59/100.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Porsche Cayenne reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	62/100	Good
2019	56/100	Mixed
2020	58/100	Mixed
2021	58/100	Mixed
2022	60/100	Good
2023	61/100	Good
2024	57/100	Mixed
2025	61/100	Good

Porsche Cayenne Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2025	61/100	+4	Good	3	4
2024	57/100	-4	Mixed	11	5
2023	61/100	+1	Good	4	4
2022	60/100	+2	Good	5	1
2021(selected)	58/100	0	Mixed	5	12
2020	58/100	+2	Mixed	8	14
2019	56/100	-6	Mixed	14	58
2018	62/100	—	Good	1	13

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Porsche Cayenne reliable?

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne has a "Mixed" reliability rating (58/100) and may present some ownership challenges. With 5 recalls and 12 complaints, buyers should research known issues carefully.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Porsche Cayenne?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 Porsche Cayenne include: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), AIR BAGS (3 complaints), POWER TRAIN (2 complaints), STEERING (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.

How many recalls does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne have?

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne has 5 recalls on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.

Is the 2021 Porsche Cayenne expensive to maintain?

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne has estimated annual repair costs of $1231/year, which is $424 more than the luxury midsize SUVs average of $807. Its reliability score of 58/100 and 12 owner complaints suggest that unexpected repairs are more likely. Budgeting for maintenance reserves is advisable.

Don’t buy a 2021 Porsche Cayenne without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.