38 of the
702 complaints filed about the Porsche Cayenne
are about the driver-assist systems —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2025.
38
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
The contact owns a 2020 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that the rear-view camera became inoperable while reversing and then turned on. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to trade the vehicle due to the open recall. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the software update was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11754655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the back-over prevention camera failed to provide a rear-view image. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention); and associated the failure with the recall. The local dealer was contacted; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #11752100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On the afternoon of June 24, 2026, at approximately 5:40 PM, I experienced a severe, sudden braking system failure that directly caused a rear-end collision. I was driving my 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid on the highway, traveling to a concert scheduled for 7:00 PM. The highway traffic was heavy and slow-moving (stop-and-go). I was cruising at a moderate speed of approximately 40 to 50 mph. The vehicle ahead of me applied its brakes and came to a gradual, normal stop. I was maintaining a very safe following distance of approximately 30 meters (around 100 feet) behind that vehicle. As I perceived the traffic stopping, I immediately attempted to apply my brakes. However, the brake pedal instantly became extremely hard, felt completely locked up like a stone, and was impossible to press down. Despite having ample distance to stop and applying all my body weight and force onto the brake pedal, there was zero brake assistance from the vehicle, and the brakes failed to engage. The onboard Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking also failed to prevent the accident. As a result, I was completely unable to reduce the speed of the car, and my vehicle rolled forward and collided into the rear of the car in front of me. This was entirely a mechanical/electronic safety system failure. The vehicle is currently available for inspection, and I am requesting a full diagnostic download of the EDR and DME data before any repairs are performed.
NHTSA complaint #11747086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On the afternoon of June 24, 2026, at approximately 5:40 PM, I experienced a severe, sudden braking system failure that directly caused a rear-end collision. I was driving my 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid on the highway, traveling to a concert scheduled for 7:00 PM. The highway traffic was heavy and slow-moving (stop-and-go). I was cruising at a moderate speed of approximately 40 to 50 mph. The vehicle ahead of me applied its brakes and came to a gradual, normal stop. I was maintaining a very safe following distance of approximately 30 meters (around 100 feet) behind that vehicle. As I perceived the traffic stopping, I immediately attempted to apply my brakes. However, the brake pedal instantly became extremely hard, felt completely locked up like a stone, and was impossible to press down. Despite having ample distance to stop and applying all my body weight and force onto the brake pedal, there was zero brake assistance from the vehicle, and the brakes failed to engage. The onboard Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking also failed to prevent the accident. As a result, I was completely unable to reduce the speed of the car, and my vehicle rolled forward and collided into the rear of the car in front of me. This was entirely a mechanical/electronic safety system failure. The vehicle is currently available for inspection, and I am requesting a full diagnostic download of the EDR and DME data before any repairs are performed.
NHTSA complaint #11747086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The emergency braking system light and the adaptive control cruise control is not working in the warning. Lights are on from Dave that I’ve got it from day one January 2026.
NHTSA complaint #11745194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The emergency braking system light and the adaptive control cruise control is not working in the warning. Lights are on from Dave that I’ve got it from day one January 2026.
NHTSA complaint #11745194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Vehicle Information: 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid (VIN: [XXX]) Description of Defect: While operating the vehicle, the steering column bolt physically backed out and detached, causing an immediate, complete loss of steering control. This exact mechanical failure mirrors NHTSA Safety Recall 21V-493 (Porsche Campaign AMB4), which addressed loose, under-torqued steering column bolts leaving the factory. My specific VIN was excluded from the narrow initial recall population, proving a factory tracking failure by the manufacturer. The authorized Porsche dealership confirmed the failure stating the bolt backed out due to "vibrations." A vital steering bolt backing out under normal road vibrations on a 2021 luxury vehicle is a severe manufacturing defect and a life-threatening public safety hazard. Injuries/Crash: No Fire: No Speed at incident: 25 mph INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11744923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
1. Driving Conditions & Baseline State I was operating my new 2026 Porsche Cayenne (current mileage approx. 717 miles) at highway speeds inside a tunnel near LAX. The vehicle was functioning normally under normal driving conditions until the incident occurred suddenly and without any prior warning signs. 2. Onset of Failure & Dashboard Alerts - While maintaining speed, the vehicle suffered an immediate, simultaneous electronic and mechanical malfunction. The dashboard abruptly displayed an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) error/failure warning, along with auto start/stop failure. Immediately following this alert, the vehicle experienced a severe, sudden loss of mechanical power and propulsion. 3. Vehicle Behavior & Safety Hazard Pressing the accelerator pedal failed to yield normal engine response or acceleration. The drop in power felt as though the vehicle entered an unprompted "limp mode" or suffered a critical powertrain/software communication failure, severely limiting my ability to maintain highway speeds. Because this occurred inside a highway tunnel, the sudden deceleration presented an immediate and extreme safety hazard, nearly causing a rear-end collision with the traffic behind me. I was forced to navigate the underpowered vehicle out of the active lanes of traffic under highly dangerous conditions. After pulling over to a safe area and cycling the ignition (turning the vehicle off and back on), the mechanical power partially/fully returned, suggesting a transient or software-driven electronic control unit (ECU) fault. The historical error codes should be stored in the vehicle's modules. 4. Post-Incident State The vehicle was presented to McKenna Porsche (Norwalk, CA) the following day for diagnosis of the power loss and ACC failure. Safety Implications & Requested Action This component failure constitutes a critical safety defect. A total or partial loss of propulsion at highway speeds poses an unreasonable risk of severe injury or crash.
NHTSA complaint #11742202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 3 separate occasions while making a left hand turn against traffic, the car has initiated emergency braking and shown the ‘collision warning’ alert on the dashboard. Each time there were no cars approaching and the car halted to a complete stop. The first two instances I had my 10 year old in the car. Tonight I was alone. It is terrifying and I know this is not a rare occurrence with Porsches. An online forum has tons of other Porsche owners saying the same thing and we are being encouraged to file a report with NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #11736422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 3 separate occasions while making a left hand turn against traffic, the car has initiated emergency braking and shown the ‘collision warning’ alert on the dashboard. Each time there were no cars approaching and the car halted to a complete stop. The first two instances I had my 10 year old in the car. Tonight I was alone. It is terrifying and I know this is not a rare occurrence with Porsches. An online forum has tons of other Porsche owners saying the same thing and we are being encouraged to file a report with NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #11736422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2025 Porsche Cayenne S was involved in a low-speed crash and experienced multiple safety failures related to the Driver Assistance Control Unit, including phantom braking and camera failure. This crash, I believe, is a direct result of the safety defect identified in Recall ASB2 (NHTSA 25V896), which causes the Driver Assistance Control Unit to fail to process image and sensor data correctly. My vehicle has exhibited a dangerous pattern of electronic and sensor instability that aligns perfectly with the technical failures described in the recall: The Collision: While reversing in a parking garage on November 25, 2025, I struck a wall because the rearview camera and parking sensors failed to provide any notification or visual feed. I now understand this was caused by the "transient signal noise" cited in the recall, which prevents the system from detecting obstacles in specific lighting environments. Phantom Braking: On two separate occasions, the vehicle abruptly "slammed" on the brakes for no apparent reason, nearly causing high-speed rear-end collisions. When reported to The Collection Porsche Service on January 23, 2026, the Service Manager admitted the system is hypersensitive to shadows. This confirms the control unit is failing to correctly interpret image data—the exact root cause of the current recall. Total Electrical Failure: On December 2, 2025, the vehicle suffered a defective alternator, causing a total shutdown in a live intersection. This resulted in a seven-week repair (completed Jan 23, 2026). Unstable voltage from a failing alternator is a primary source of the "signal noise" that causes the driver assistance systems to malfunction. I initially believed the bumper contact was a personal error. However, given the documented failure of the alternator and the subsequent recall regarding camera/sensor data processing, it is clear that the vehicle’s safety systems were compromised at the time of the incident. Porsche NA has been notified.
NHTSA complaint #11729786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11723260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
At approximately 57 miles after delivery of a new 2025 Porsche Cayenne, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and related driver-assistance safety systems failed while the vehicle was traveling at approximately 67 mph. There had been no collision, impact, or abnormal event prior to the failure. Porsche’s diagnostic logs (PIWIS) confirmed the system failure occurred while the vehicle was traveling at approximately 67 mph. A physical inspection of the vehicle showed no evidence of collision, abnormal G-force event, or exterior damage that would explain the system failure. The malfunction disabled a key driver-assistance safety feature on a nearly new vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the selling dealer for repair and the manufacturer, Porsche Cars North America, was notified. Both the dealer and manufacturer indicated that the issue was not considered a defect and declined to provide further explanation as to how such a failure could occur at extremely low mileage without any external factors. Given the extremely low mileage at which this safety system failure occurred, this may indicate a defect affecting the vehicle’s driver-assistance or ADAS systems. A failure of Adaptive Cruise Control and related driver-assistance systems at highway speed raises potential safety concerns for vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. The failure occurred at extremely low mileage with no apparent triggering event, raising concern about a potential premature failure of a safety-related driver-assistance system.
NHTSA complaint #11722337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
A coolant hose located on the top of the engine developed a leak that caused the engine to overheat. It was necessary to remove several components of the engine to reach and replace the leaking hose. This repair cost over 5000 dollars with the associated labor cost. Vehicle had less than 6000 miles on it at the time of the incident. It took several weeks to get the needed parts.
NHTSA complaint #11721832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that the message that the mileage could not be recorded was intermittently displayed while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the rearview camera was intermittently inoperable after shifting to reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the cameras were replaced; however, the failure recurred approximately 5 months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired because the failure could not be duplicated. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention), which the contact associated with the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #11721661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V896000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact called a local dealer and the manufacturer but was advised that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11721015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The attached photos show several instances where the car’s safety systems failed. These cases have been erratic, and begin and end frequently. The car is under warranty, but my dealer cannot discern what causes the problems.
NHTSA complaint #11718212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The attached photos show several instances where the car’s safety systems failed. These cases have been erratic, and begin and end frequently. The car is under warranty, but my dealer cannot discern what causes the problems.
NHTSA complaint #11718212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The attached photos show several instances where the car’s safety systems failed. These cases have been erratic, and begin and end frequently. The car is under warranty, but my dealer cannot discern what causes the problems.
NHTSA complaint #11718212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car was driven from Cheshire, CT to Old Tappan, NJ about 90 miles, just under two hours drive time. Combination of highway and back roads. The car was in drive in comfort mode proceeding slowly (approx 20 mph) down a street within a condo complex. As I approached the driveway I lightly braked, turned into the driveway then lightly pressed the accelerator to bring the car up the driveway apron onto the single car length driveway. At that point the car accelerated to what felt like max power. The car accelerated uncontrollably causing the car to advance in a right turn through the closed garage door striking a garaged vehicle in the right rear quarter and the right wall of the garage. Fortunately no one was hurt but this could have resulted on severe injury or death. No pre warning lights just a slight burning smell just before. This unrequested acceleration occurred twice before the crash incident leaving a traffic light from stop. Porsche has analyzed the car and find no fault. The insurance company has sent an adjuster. Damage estimated at $73,000.00.
NHTSA complaint #11715977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.