Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S with NHTSA between 2009 and 2024.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 22
Against the median year of the Porsche Cayenne S. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 79
15.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 17
10% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2006 compares with every other Porsche Cayenne S
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2006 Porsche Cayenne S
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
430.8%
Median failure at 75,465 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
215.4%
Median failure at 158,000 miles
Lights
215.4%
Median failure at 159,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
215.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 114,411 mi
Other & Unspecified
17.7%
Median failure at 10 miles
Tires
17.7%
Median failure at 45,532 miles
Airbags
17.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
110.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
220.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
110.0%
150,000+ miles
330.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2009peak 1Feb 2024
Recalls on the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20192908,742 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission shifter could detach from the transmission. This could cause the transmission not to shift gears when the shifter is moved. As a result, the transmission could be in a different gear than the gear shifter indicates. If a driver attempts to exit the vehicle while the transmission is not in Park, and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle could move suddenly. Safety Risk: Sudden and unexpected movement of the vehicle could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Porsche will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the shifter cable bushing. Owners are reminded to use the parking brake anytime the vehicle is parked.
Recall 20174574,817 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel pump flange may develop fine cracks or fissures, which could result in a fuel leak. Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel pump flange.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 158,322 milesLake Arrowhead, CACrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle was facing uphill, the contact decided not to reverse down the hill and was attempting to turn the vehicle around to drive down the hill. The contact put the vehicle in park and was hanging over the driver’s front door attempting to see where the edge of the hill was to back up the hill and drive down the hill. However, the gear went into neutral, and the vehicle unexpectedly moved, rolling down the hill. The contact jumped into the moving vehicle and depressed the brake pedal as the back of the vehicle hit the ground smashing the muffler into the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed of the recall. The contact sustained injuries to the chest, left arm and shoulder, and the head. The contact had bruises on both legs and arms, and a large laceration on right shin which required medical attention. In addition, the contact was traumatized. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the plastic bushing on the selector lever cable. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V446000 (Power Train) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact the vehicle would be repaired and the vehicle and paying for the damages. The contact was provided a claim number however, the contact was unsuccessful in reaching a representative. The approximate failure mileage was 158,322.
NHTSA complaint #11571965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 158,322 milesLake Arrowhead, CACrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle was facing uphill, the contact decided not to reverse down the hill and was attempting to turn the vehicle around to drive down the hill. The contact put the vehicle in park and was hanging over the driver’s front door attempting to see where the edge of the hill was to back up the hill and drive down the hill. However, the gear went into neutral, and the vehicle unexpectedly moved, rolling down the hill. The contact jumped into the moving vehicle and depressed the brake pedal as the back of the vehicle hit the ground smashing the muffler into the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed of the recall. The contact sustained injuries to the chest, left arm and shoulder, and the head. The contact had bruises on both legs and arms, and a large laceration on right shin which required medical attention. In addition, the contact was traumatized. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the plastic bushing on the selector lever cable. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V446000 (Power Train) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact the vehicle would be repaired and the vehicle and paying for the damages. The contact was provided a claim number however, the contact was unsuccessful in reaching a representative. The approximate failure mileage was 158,322.
NHTSA complaint #11571965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,000 milesRoanoke, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSULATION FOR THE WIRES ON THE HEADLIGHTS WERE WORN OUT RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CHECK HEADLIGHT AND CHECK TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 173,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED EVIDENTLY, THE INSULATION WAS COMPOUNDED FROM A VEGETABLE SOURCE (SOY) NOT VERY DURABLE. THE INSULATION ON THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESSES WERE CRUMBLING. THE HEADLIGHTS HIGH AND LOW BEAM, PARKING LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE INTERMITTENT.
NHTSA complaint #11390241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesMarietta, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INSULATION ON THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEAD LIGHTS AND WIRING ON THE HARNESSES FEEDING THE HEAD LIGHTS & TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS DETERIORATES AND CRUMBLES. THIS LEADS TO SHORTING OF WIRES AND HEAD LIGHT & TURN SIGNAL FAILING. ADDITIONALLY THE CONNECTORS ON THE HEAD LIGHTS & HARNESSES CORRODE LEADING TO HEADLIGHT/TURN-SIGNAL FAILURE. THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANYTIME, DRIVING WHEN STARTING, STATIONARY, OR TURNING.
NHTSA complaint #11182377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,000 milesGreenwich, CT
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM PORSCHE (AH10 PORSCHE SAFETY RECALL) FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FILTER FLANGE OF FUEL PUMP. THE LETTER WAS DATED 14NOV2017. ON 28NOV2017 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AT NO COST TO ME. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED PART, SO HE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE FILTER FLANGE (WHICH HAD BEEN LEAKING FUEL), REPLACED IT WITH A NEW PART, BUT STILL UNDER THE RECALLED DESIGN, AND CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL STATED THE REPAIR WOULD BE DONE AT NO EXPENSE TO VEHICLE OWNERS. THEN IN AUGUST 2018, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE NEWLY DESIGNED PARTS WERE DELIVERED, AT WHICH POINT I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE RECALLED PART WAS REMOVED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED FILTER FLANGE INSTALLED. THIS WAS COMPLETED ON 08AUG2018 AND ON 09AUG2018 I COMPLETED THE PAPERWORK THAT PORSCHE ASKED ME TO COMPLETE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NOVEMBER 2017 REPAIR WORK. THE PROCESSING OF THIS PAPERWORK WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE 6-10 WEEKS. IT IS NOW 21 WEEKS AND COUNTING, I HAVE CONTACTED PORSCHE AND THEIR PROCESSING AGENT (GCG), BUT NEITHER IS ABLE TO TELL ME THE STATUS OF THE CLAIM OR WHO IS WORKING ON IT OR WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH THE PROCESSING OF MY CLAIM. I'M OUT OF POCKET $1500 FOR OVER A YEAR ON A RECALL THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NO COST TO THE VEHICLE OWNER DUE TO A DANGEROUS DESIGN, WHICH HAD INDEED BEEN LEAKING FUEL AND WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO A DEADLY FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11164471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waverly, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
NHTSA RECALL NO.: 17V-576; PORSCHE SAFETY RECALL AH10. THE RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED 12/17 AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY PORSCHE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SINCE. THE PORSCHE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT RECEIVED THE FILTER FLANGE REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND HAS NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BE RECEIVED.
NHTSA complaint #11110936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
AIR BAGS
I CALLED THE PHONE THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE ZERO INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
NHTSA complaint #11063382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesStockton, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
" SOME 2003 TO 2006 MODEL YEAR PORSCHE CAYENNE VEHICLES WITH V8 ENGINES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC COOLANT PIPES THAT CAN PREMATURELY DEGRADE OR FRACTURE. THOSE VEHICLES ARE KNOWN AS THE 'CLASS VEHICLES' AND THE INDIVIDUALS WHO OWNED OR LEASED SUCH CLASS VEHICLES ARE KNOWN AS 'CLASS MEMBERS.' PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA ("PCNA") WAS NOT FOUND LIABLE FOR ANY OF THE CLAIMS ALLEGED IN THIS LAWSUIT. THE PARTIES INSTEAD VOLUNTARILY REACHED A SETTLEMENT. UNDER THE SETTLEMENT AND SUBJECT TO PROOF, PCNA WILL PROVIDE A BENEFIT TO CLASS MEMBERS FOR PAST OR FUTURE COOLANT PIPE REPAIRS IN CLASS VEHICLES." HTTP://WWW.COOLANTPIPESETTLEMENT.COM I WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY THE "COOLANT WARNING" LIGHT CAME UP. THERE WAS A MASSIVE LEAK. THE ENGINE STARTED TO HEAT UP. THIS WAS DURING MY MORNING COMMUTE TO WORK. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. OWNERS HAD ONLY A YEAR TO MAKE A CLAIM. I NEVER GOT THE PAPERWORK.
NHTSA complaint #10978844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,803 milesJacksonville, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE DEALER SOLD THE VEHICLE KNOWING COOLANT PIPES WERE NOT UPDATED. JUST HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED IN APRIL HAD TO PAY FOR MAINTENANCE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE PURCHASE. THEN 1 JUNE THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON "CHECK COOLANT LEVEL LOW". THEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON "ENGINE TOO HOT". I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS WHEN THE MECHANIC RECEIVED A BULLETIN FROM PORSCHE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED PORSCHE AND THEY STATED THE DEALER BRUMOS PORSCHE SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD THE CAR WITHOUT UPDATING THE COOLANT PIPES. I STILL HAD TO PAY OVER $2,000 DOLLARS.
NHTSA complaint #10460845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,465 milesScottsdale, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE COOLANT PIPES FAILED ON A RECENT ROAD TRIP DUE TO THE PIPES CRACKING. I LOST ALL OF MY COOLANT AND OVERHEATED MY ENGINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME AMONGST 2004-2006 CAYENNE MODELS AS THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING.
NHTSA complaint #10442279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,500 milesCoconut Creek, FL
POWER TRAIN
UPON RETURNING FROM A 200 MILE TRIP CRUISING AT 60-65 MPH AND EXITING THE OFF RAMP AT LOWER SPEEDS (25-30MPH) MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STOP UPON COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. ONCE I STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE AGAIN BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LOUD KNOCKING CAME FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE CENTER DRIVE SHAFT SUPPORT BEARING AND HAS SEEN THIS IN EVER CAYENNE HE HAS SERVICED. I ALSO LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS AND SERVICE TECH'S TALKING ABOUT THIS FAILURE AROUND 70K-90K MILES FOR EVER PORSCHE CAYENNE AND VW TOUREG. I HOPE THERE IS SOME MANUFACTURER FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10433773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Myers, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. CONSUMER STATES COOLANT LEAK AND PROBLEM WITH HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY HIS MECHANIC THAT HE NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, BECAUSE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED. HOWEVER, PORSCHE ONLY OFFERED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS. THE CONSUMER LEARNED THE ORIGINAL COOLANT PIPES WERE MADE OF PLASTIC.
NHTSA complaint #10359712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,624 milesGarden Grove, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I OWN A PORSCHE, CAYENNE S 2006 MODEL. I WAS TRAVELING TO LAS VEGAS, NV FROM HOME (GARDEN GROVE, CA) . ALL OF SUDDEN THERE WAS COOLANT CHECK SIGNAL CAME ON SO I HAVE EXITED FROM FREEWAY AND ADDED MORE COOLANT. HOWEVER THE COOLANT CHECK SIGNAL WOULDN'T GO OFF AND THE TEMP WENT UP SO HIGH THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MAKE THE STORY SHORT, MY WHOLE FAMILY SPENT NEXT 5 HOURS OUT ON 110F SUNLIGHT WITHOUT AC. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT COOLANT PIPES WERE MADE WITH PLASTIC WHICH CANNOT WITHHOLD THE HEAT WHICH VEHICLE GENERATES. AND ALTHOUGH PORSCHE HAS CHANGED THE PARTS TO ALUMINUM THEY STILL HAVEN'T RECALLED THESE VEHICLES. THEY, PORSCHE, ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND YET THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE VEHICLES. ALSO THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR. ALTHOUGH THERE WASN'T ANY INJURIES AT THIS INCIDENTS BUT WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS TROUBLE DUE TO DEHYDRATION, ESPECIALLY 2 OF MY KIDS (12Y & 13Y). WHAT IF OTHER FAMILY GETS STRANDED WITHOUT ANY SOURCE OF HELP. I WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF YOU COULD HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10350781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,532 milesHalf Moon BAY, CA
TIRES
AUTO DEALER MISREPRESENTED THE CONDITION OF THE TIRES ON A CAR I BOUGHT. THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE UNSAFE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. ARE AUTO DEALERS ALLOWED TO MISREPRESENT SOMETHING SO OBVIOUS AS A UNSAFE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10267133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.