Last updated: 2026-10-10
Porsche Cayenne Years to Avoid
8 scored model years (2018–2025) · model average 59/100
No Cayenne year is a clear one to avoid, since none falls far below the model's own average. What changes from year to year is the weight of complaints and recalls, and 2019 carries the most of both. The 2018 is the year to buy.
Verdict
- Avoid
- No outlier years
- Buy
- 2018 62/100
- Model average
- 59/100
What Are Common Porsche Cayenne Problems?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
20 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2021, 2020
2019: A "Battery Low" or yellow battery warning appears on cars with the lithium (LiFePO4) battery.
AIR BAGS
13 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2021, 2018
2019: The leather-covered dashboard shrinks, bubbles, ripples or lifts away from its base.
POWER TRAIN
11 complaintsMost reported in 2020, 2019, 2021
2020: The car lurches or surges forward just before it stops, as the transmission downshifts from second to first.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
5 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2024
2019: Water gets past the headlight seals in light rain or a car wash.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 complaintsMost reported in 2021, 2019
2021: The check engine light comes on early, often before 1,000 miles, on new cars.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
3 complaintsMost reported in 2025
2025: Driver-assistance systems shut off without warning, and the dash shows several failure messages at once.
Best Porsche Cayenne Year to Buy Instead
2018 Porsche Cayenne
The 2018 has had the longest time on the road and still shows only one recall. The 2019 has 14 recalls and far more owner complaints, and its rating is only mixed. Newer years show fewer complaints partly because they have had less time to collect them.
Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car
Even the 2018 Porsche Cayenne has 1 recall on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
All Porsche Cayenne Years by Generation
Porsche Cayenne Reliability Scores by Year
Second generation (92A) (2011–2018)
Third generation (9YA/9YB) (2019–2023)
2023 Porsche Cayenne
4 recalls · 4 complaints
2022 Porsche Cayenne
5 recalls · 1 complaints
2020 Porsche Cayenne
8 recalls · 14 complaints
2021 Porsche Cayenne
5 recalls · 12 complaints
2019 Porsche Cayenne
14 recalls · 58 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Porsche Cayenne years should I avoid?
Which Porsche Cayenne years have transmission problems?
Is the 2019 Porsche Cayenne a bad year?
Are the newest Cayenne years safe to buy?
Does the recommended 2018 Cayenne have any known issues?
How we score every Porsche Cayenne model year
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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