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2006 Porsche Cayenne

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 21.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 17 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2023
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

MY CAR STOP SUDDENLY, IGNITION KEY FAILURE, THEN LIKE TRANSMISSION HESUTATION UNTIL THE CAR STOP COMPLETELY WHERE AT THAT MOMENT CALL A TOLL THAT COST ME $650 DLS. SINCE THAT DAY CAR HAVING ELECTRIC PROBLEMS AND EVEN TRANSMISSION GET STUCK SOMETIMES, HAVE TO TO DO IT MANUALLY.

NHTSA ODI #11512514

200,000 miles · Jul 7, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE APPROXIMATELY 3.5 HOURS LATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE APPROXIMATELY 3.5 HOURS LATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11003676

60,000 miles · Oct 13, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

FOR SAFETY: AIRBAG FAULT AND EARNING LIGHT APPEARING APPROXIMATELY 60K MILES IN. FROM A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH, IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. WHEN CONTACTING BOTH PORSCHE LOCALLY AND PORSCHE CORPORATE TO AMEND, BOTH REFUSE REPAIRS BY CITING VEHICLE'S AGE (ALTHOUGH THIS IS A PREVALENT, KNOWN ISSUE). FOR PERFORMANCE FEA…

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FOR SAFETY: AIRBAG FAULT AND EARNING LIGHT APPEARING APPROXIMATELY 60K MILES IN. FROM A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH, IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. WHEN CONTACTING BOTH PORSCHE LOCALLY AND PORSCHE CORPORATE TO AMEND, BOTH REFUSE REPAIRS BY CITING VEHICLE'S AGE (ALTHOUGH THIS IS A PREVALENT, KNOWN ISSUE). FOR PERFORMANCE FEATURES: PCM FAILURE; PCM IS THE NAVIGATION AND RADIO CONSOLE SYSTEM. AGAIN, BOTH PORSCHE LOCAL AND PORSCHE CORPORATE WERE CONTACTED AFTER DISCOVERING THROUGH A MERE GOOGLE SEARCH, WHICH WILL ILLUSTRATE THIS LARGE ISSUE WITH PORSCHE CAYENNE VEHICLES INCURRING PCM FAILURES IN DROVES. PORSCHE HAS ACKNOWLEDGE BOTH THE AIRBAG SAFETY FAILURE AND PCM FAULT IS DUE TO BAD ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, TO INCLUDE ACKNOWLEDGING THE CHOICE OF TO NOT PURSUE A RECALL OR "GOODWILL" REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10915688

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2016
Electrical SystemEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE EQUIPPED WITH AN AC DELCO BATTERY, MODEL NUMBER 49-60 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE FOUND DECEASED IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS DUE TO TOXIC FUMES COMING FROM THE BATTERY LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE EQUIPPED WITH AN AC DELCO BATTERY, MODEL NUMBER 49-60 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE FOUND DECEASED IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS DUE TO TOXIC FUMES COMING FROM THE BATTERY LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10895979

104,000 miles · Mar 21, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT GENERATING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF VOLTAGES. DUE TO THE IGNITION FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT USING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT GENERATING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF VOLTAGES. DUE TO THE IGNITION FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT USING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE ENTIRE DIGITAL DASHBOARD DISPLAY SYSTEM FAILED AND NO LONGER DISPLAYED ANY READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING A FINAL FAILURE IN WHICH A VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD ALL THE FAILURES WERE KNOWN PROBLEMS YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,250. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10392347

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2011
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE GOES 29 F OR BELOW, THE AIR BAG, ANTI- LOCK BRAKE AND HORN STOPS WORKING. WHEN THE WEATHER GOES BACK TO NORMAL, THEY ALL PERFORM NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #10377468

Official recalls

3

22V656000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Aug 30, 2022

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.

19V446000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Jun 12, 2019

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.

17V576000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Sep 20, 2017

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles, 2004-2006 Cayenne vehicles, and 2006 Cayenne S "Titanium" Edition vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH10.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA06005 · Srs Warning Light Illumination

Opened Mar 15, 2006 · Closed Mar 12, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Air Bags:side/window

PORSCHE IS INITIATING A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION ACTION TO ADDRESS A CONDITION RELATED TO A FAULTY OR LOOSE CONNECTOR IN THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM.PORSCHE'S TESTING HAS SHOWN THAT THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL NOT PREVENT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL CAUSE THE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TO EXCEED THE THRESHOLD FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.PORSCHE HAS REPORTED A LARGE NUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND MANY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SERVICED TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION AS DESCRIBED IN THE CAYENNE TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN: GROUP 6, #11/04 AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED.PORSCHE WILL PERFORM THIS SERVICE TO ALL REMAINING UNCORRECTED VEHICLES UNDER A NEW PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN STARTING AT THE END OF APRIL 2007.ALL OWNERS OF A SUBJECT VEHICLE BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004 WILL BE NOTIFIED BY PORSCHE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION.VEHICLES BUILT AFTER NOVEMBER 2004 DO NOT CONTAIN THE SUBJECT CONNECTOR.IN ADDITION, PORSCHE REPORTS THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BUILT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2003, MAY CONTAIN AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED SIDE AIRBAG MODULE.THIS MAY ALSO PRODUCEILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD BECOME EVIDENT SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO SERVICE.WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT THESE MODULES HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND NO LONGER PRESENT A RISK.PORSCHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORT OF NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG.THE ACTION TAKEN BY PORSCHE IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

PORSCHE IS INITIATING A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION ACTION TO ADDRESS A CONDITION RELATED TO A FAULTY OR LOOSE CONNECTOR IN THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM.PORSCHE'S TESTING HAS SHOWN THAT THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL NOT PREVENT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL CAUSE THE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TO EXCEED THE THRESHOLD FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.PORSCHE HAS REPORTED A LARGE NUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND MANY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SERVICED TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION AS DESCRIBED IN THE CAYENNE TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN: GROUP 6, #11/04 AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED.PORSCHE WILL PERFORM THIS SERVICE TO ALL REMAINING UNCORRECTED VEHICLES UNDER A NEW PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN STARTING AT THE END OF APRIL 2007.ALL OWNERS OF A SUBJECT VEHICLE BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004 WILL BE NOTIFIED BY PORSCHE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION.VEHICLES BUILT AFTER NOVEMBER 2004 DO NOT CONTAIN THE SUBJECT CONNECTOR.IN ADDITION, PORSCHE REPORTS THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BUILT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2003, MAY CONTAIN AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED SIDE AIRBAG MODULE.THIS MAY ALSO PRODUCEILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD BECOME EVIDENT SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO SERVICE.WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT THESE MODULES HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND NO LONGER PRESENT A RISK.PORSCHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORT OF NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG.THE ACTION TAKEN BY PORSCHE IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Air Bags

PORSCHE IS INITIATING A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION ACTION TO ADDRESS A CONDITION RELATED TO A FAULTY OR LOOSE CONNECTOR IN THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM.PORSCHE'S TESTING HAS SHOWN THAT THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL NOT PREVENT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL CAUSE THE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TO EXCEED THE THRESHOLD FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.PORSCHE HAS REPORTED A LARGE NUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND MANY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SERVICED TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION AS DESCRIBED IN THE CAYENNE TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN: GROUP 6, #11/04 AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED.PORSCHE WILL PERFORM THIS SERVICE TO ALL REMAINING UNCORRECTED VEHICLES UNDER A NEW PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN STARTING AT THE END OF APRIL 2007.ALL OWNERS OF A SUBJECT VEHICLE BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004 WILL BE NOTIFIED BY PORSCHE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION.VEHICLES BUILT AFTER NOVEMBER 2004 DO NOT CONTAIN THE SUBJECT CONNECTOR.IN ADDITION, PORSCHE REPORTS THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BUILT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2003, MAY CONTAIN AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED SIDE AIRBAG MODULE.THIS MAY ALSO PRODUCEILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD BECOME EVIDENT SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO SERVICE.WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT THESE MODULES HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND NO LONGER PRESENT A RISK.PORSCHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORT OF NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG.THE ACTION TAKEN BY PORSCHE IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Air Bags:side/window

PORSCHE IS INITIATING A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION ACTION TO ADDRESS A CONDITION RELATED TO A FAULTY OR LOOSE CONNECTOR IN THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM.PORSCHE'S TESTING HAS SHOWN THAT THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL NOT PREVENT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WILL CAUSE THE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TO EXCEED THE THRESHOLD FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.PORSCHE HAS REPORTED A LARGE NUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND MANY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SERVICED TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION AS DESCRIBED IN THE CAYENNE TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN: GROUP 6, #11/04 AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED.PORSCHE WILL PERFORM THIS SERVICE TO ALL REMAINING UNCORRECTED VEHICLES UNDER A NEW PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN STARTING AT THE END OF APRIL 2007.ALL OWNERS OF A SUBJECT VEHICLE BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004 WILL BE NOTIFIED BY PORSCHE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION.VEHICLES BUILT AFTER NOVEMBER 2004 DO NOT CONTAIN THE SUBJECT CONNECTOR.IN ADDITION, PORSCHE REPORTS THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BUILT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2003, MAY CONTAIN AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED SIDE AIRBAG MODULE.THIS MAY ALSO PRODUCEILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD BECOME EVIDENT SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO SERVICE.WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT THESE MODULES HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND NO LONGER PRESENT A RISK.PORSCHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORT OF NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG.THE ACTION TAKEN BY PORSCHE IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.