Porsche Cayenne airbag problems

AIR BAGS

The dashboard is peeling up and is unsafe due to airbag being underneath the leather dash. If airbag was to blow it would not function correctly due to dashboard leather peeling. Could potentially injur passenger or not deploy at all.

NHTSA complaint #11750486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and is bubbling on the entire top where the Airbag sits. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing the entire dashboard! This is a very common issue with Porsche, and a safety concern which seems due to the fact that Porsche did not use the correct adhesive on all most of cars build in the last 10 years. The dashboard is not withstanding normal sun light and this causes a safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11749717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

My 2020 Porsche Cayenne has experienced leather dashboard delamination, with the leather separating, shrinking, and lifting from the dashboard substrate on both the driver and passenger sides. The delamination extends across the upper dashboard, including areas adjacent to the passenger airbag deployment zone. I am concerned that loose or detached dashboard material could interfere with, delay, or alter the proper deployment of the passenger airbag during a collision, increasing the risk of injury. The continued deterioration also raises concerns about the integrity of the dashboard structure over time. Porsche inspected the vehicle and determined that the repair requires replacement of the entire dashboard assembly at an estimated cost of approximately $8,000 to $10,000. This indicates the condition is not a cosmetic issue but requires replacement of a major dashboard component. I have identified numerous reports from other Porsche owners describing the same leather dashboard delamination on late model Cayenne vehicles, suggesting this is a recurring manufacturing defect rather than an isolated occurrence. Porsche is part of the Volkswagen Group. Audi, another Volkswagen Group brand, issued Technical Service Bulletin 2071698/1 (NHTSA TSB MC-10245529-0001) addressing leather dashboard delamination caused by adhesive failure. The bulletin describes bubbling, wrinkling, loose leather, and delamination and instructs dealers to replace the dashboard. Audi also issued a limited warranty extension for affected vehicles. While Audi's bulletin does not apply to Porsche vehicles, it demonstrates that Volkswagen Group has recognized this type of dashboard adhesive failure. I request that NHTSA investigate whether Porsche Cayenne dashboard delamination constitutes a safety defect with the potential to affect passenger airbag deployment and occupant protection.

NHTSA complaint #11746995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing the entire dashboard which costs over $10,000. This is apparently a very common issue.

NHTSA complaint #11740920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue.

NHTSA complaint #11739293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Porsche leather dashboard shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag may not deploy properly. The Porsche dealer looked at it recommend that it be replaced. This is a known manufacturer defect that has been occurring with many of Porsche leather dashboards in different models. The manufacture is not taking responsibility in repairing or recalling this dangerous situation and putting the cost onto the customer. The fact that this is an option they offer as an additional cost on their vehicles , knowing this is a dangerous defect. This alone should automatically issue recall to fix before someone gets seriously injured.

NHTSA complaint #11737919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The leather dash is peeling irregularly and will not deploy the passenger airbag properly if vehicle is involved in an accident and could result in death of a passenger. Serious problem with Cayenne SUV’s and Porsche refuses to address the problem with multiple complaints from other owners.

NHTSA complaint #11737472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Seat belt and airbag indication lights and sound alarms remain on and notifying on the dashboard regardless of buckling. It will intermittently stop and start as the car is in motion. In the beginning, notification was present then resolved day-to-day. More recently, the alarm is present every drive. Driver was unsure whether or not the notifications were valid or not as the pattern of notification had little consistency. Dealership service later admitted that it was a faulty seat belt buckle and that part had failed internally, but refused to remedy it unless paid for. Car is essentially inoperable and unsafe until faulty buckle is replaced, as a faulty seat belt buckle can be fatal, with faulty implying a manufacturing issue and not of user misuse or abuse of systems. Manufacturer will not provide warranty and dealership continues to demand vehicle owner to pay.

NHTSA complaint #11734672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The leather dash has "shrunk" so badly and is so distorted that there is no way the passenger airbag would properly inflate in an accident. Porsche tells me that this defect is "cosmetic" and of no consequence to vehicle safety. I do not agree with this position and feel that Porsche should be liable for this defect.

NHTSA complaint #11729798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Bubbled dashboard is considered as a safety issue that airbag may NOT be properly deployed when an accident occurs.

NHTSA complaint #11722824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

SAFETY ASSESSMENT: 2019 Porsche Cayenne S Dashboard Material Failure Vehicle Identification: VIN [XXX] , Current Odometer: 46639 Assessment Date: 12/11/2025 Evaluator: [XXX] , Registered Owner/Operator ________________________________________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The dashboard upper assembly in this vehicle exhibits progressive adhesive delamination and synthetic leather separation (colloquially “bubbling”) across the instrument cluster housing and passenger airbag deployment zone. This defect, while initially cosmetic, presents measurable safety risks under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) by compromising passive restraint systems, driver visibility, and interior structural integrity during collision events. The failure pattern is consistent with documented manufacturing defects affecting 2018-2022 Cayenne production units. ________________________________________ TECHNICAL ANALYSIS Defect Manifestation: •Multi-point adhesive failure between dashboard substrate and synthetic leather wrap •Bubbles ranging 2-8cm diameter directly above passenger-side airbag module •Progression rate: 15% surface area increase over 4-month observation period •Material: Thermoplastic olefin (TPO) substrate with polyurethane coating exhibiting UV-degradation and outgassing Root Cause: Inadequate adhesive curing during manufacturing combined with incompatible material expansion coefficients, resulting in progressive de-lamination under thermal cycling. ________________________________________ SAFETY CONCERNS 1. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT (FMVSS 208 Violation Risk) 2. DRIVER VISIBILITY IMPAIRMENT (FMVSS 101 Violation Risk) 3. INTERIOR STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY (FMVSS 201/214) 4. SECONDARY PROJECTILE HAZARD 5. OCCUPANT HEALTH & COGNITIVE LOAD This defect constitutes a latent safety hazard that degrades over time, not a static cosmetic issue. The combination of airbag deployment trajectory interference, driver visibility impairment, structural integrity compromise. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO

NHTSA complaint #11710843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Porsche leather dashboard shrunk and is loose; I was told airbags may not deploy correctly. Porche recommended replacing the dashboard. This is a very common issue.

NHTSA complaint #11707762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue.

NHTSA complaint #11703693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The dashboard material cover is pulling away lifting up from the dashboard where air bags are located.Not safe

NHTSA complaint #11702288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

passenger side leather covered dashboard delaminated making air bag deployment inpossible

NHTSA complaint #11695576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

I am reporting a safety defect with my 2021 Porsche Cayenne GTS. The leather dashboard is delaminating and lifting away from its underlying structure. This defect is concerning because: The delamination is occurring on the drivers side but will eventually expand in the area covering the passenger-side airbag. If the airbag deploys, the raised/lifted dashboard material may interfere with or obstruct proper deployment, posing a serious risk to passenger safety. Porsche Cars North America (PNA) has been notified, but they classify this issue as “cosmetic” and refuse to repair it voluntarily under warranty or goodwill. Furthermore, The issue was not disclosed by the dealer at purchase. I have consulted two Porsche dealerships, both of which confirmed Porsche considers this a cosmetic defect not covered by the Certified Pre Owned warranty. However, given the location and potential interaction with the airbag system, I strongly believe this constitutes a safety-related defect that requires investigation. Online forums show this is a common issue across many models made by Porsche during this time but specifically SUV's. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue to determine whether the delaminating dashboards in Porsche Cayenne models create a safety hazard that requires a recall and mandatory repair.

NHTSA complaint #11690525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The factory leather dashboard has detached/ungluded in places both on the driver and passenger side. Now the dashboard cover in the passenger area does not properly line up and has bubbled up on top of the passenger air bag door. There is a high possibility that this defect will prevent the passenger air bag from properly functioning or not function at all during an accident. Several Cayenne owners have reported this problem to Porsche USA however they will only replace at the owner's request and owners expense which is in the thousands of dollars. Porsche USA said that this is not a recall item therefore they will not pay for the repair.

NHTSA complaint #11684455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out, I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the air bags might not deploy properly . the Porsche dealer looked at it and recommended replacing it . this is a very common issue .

NHTSA complaint #11683410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

leather dashboard bubbles up and could effect the deployment of the passenger airbag

NHTSA complaint #11681233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The leather dashboard has shrunk to the point where the the Porsche dealer recommend replaceing it. This appears to be an issue serious enough to prevent the airbag from deploying correctly if in an accident. This appears to be a common issue.

NHTSA complaint #11673197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.