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2006 Porsche CayenneProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 41 owner complaints about the 2006 Porsche Cayenne, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-576 the manufacturer reports only 21% of affected cars repaired.

2006 Porsche Cayenne
47
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Cayenne median · #4 of 16 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 21%Owner complaints413 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage84kFuel/propulsion system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 20, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 Porsche Cayenne has problems

41 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel/propulsion system130
Fuel system, gasoline80
Power train80
Electrical system62
Air bags41
Engine and engine cooling40
Engine31
Exterior lighting20
Service brakes, hydraulic10
3 other systems31

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2006 Porsche Cayenne recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

30%repaired · 2024 Q3

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 22V-656 · Aug 30, 2022 · 222,858 vehicles · 67,551 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

38%repaired · 2020 Q4

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 19V-446 · Jun 12, 2019 · 99,665 vehicles · 38,215 repaired

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

21%repaired · 2019 Q4

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 17V-576 · Sep 20, 2017 · 50,145 vehicles · 10,571 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Porsche.

Best & worst years

2006 vs. every other Cayenne year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cayenne median. How we score

'03'04'05'06'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2006 Porsche Cayenne safety ratings

2006 Porsche Cayenne 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2006 Porsche Cayenne, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATIONEA06005 · closed Mar 12, 2007
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cayenne owners report

Recent fuel/propulsion system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Last month I began experiencing a strong fuel odor after driving, most noticeable outside the driver-side rear door area, which aligns with the warning sign described in the recall report. This is a time-sensitive safety concern. [XXX] (PCNA 573 filing with NHTSA). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO…
Complaint 11711993 · Jan 20, 2026
09/19/2017 PORSCHE OF LEHIGH VALLEY (FORMERLY KNOPF PORSCHE) FUEL SMELL COMING FROM VEHICLE. FOUND LEFT SIDE FUEL FILTER FLANGE LEAKING. REPLACED LEFT SIDE FUEL FILTER FLANGE FOR $709.04. 12/08/2017 PORSCHE OF LEHIGH VALLEY CAR HESITATES AND BUCKS, SINCE THE FUEL ODOR REPAIR WAS COMPLETED ON…
Complaint 11181631 · Feb 21, 2019 · 118,435 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V576000 (FUEL SYSTEM) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN NOVEMBER OF 2017. THE DEALER (PORSCHE OF ANNAPOLIS, 20 HUDSON ST, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401)…
Complaint 11139239 · Oct 9, 2018

Own a 2006 Cayenne?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.