2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
What could happen: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on Octo…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 CAYENNE E-HYBRID.
- Book a repair at any authorized Porsche dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 23V841000 (manufacturer code APB6).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-767-7243.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD
Summary: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling various models and model years. Please see the recall report for a list of the included vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
Consequence: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 24, 2024. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, anticipated mid-2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is APB6.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
2. Backup camera
What's wrong, in plain English: The rear camera may not show an image when reversing. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
What could happen: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the driver assistance software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ASB2. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTS…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 CAYENNE E-HYBRID.
- Book a repair at any authorized Porsche dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V896000 (manufacturer code ASB2).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-767-7243.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Summary: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2019-2025 Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, 2020-2025 911, Taycan, 2024-2025 Panamera, and 2025 Panamera E-Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the driver assistance software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ASB2. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 19, 2026.
Notes:
3. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. The passenger seat back heating element was not installed and may impact the calibration of the Occupant Classification System.
What could happen: The front passenger air bag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will install a heating element, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB0.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2021 CAYENNE E-HYBRID.
- Book a repair at any authorized Porsche dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V318000 (manufacturer code AMB0).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-767-7243.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne GTS, Cayenne GTS Coupe, 2020-2021 Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe vehicles. The passenger seat back heating element was not installed and may impact the calibration of the Occupant Classification System.
Consequence: The front passenger air bag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will install a heating element, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB0.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Unknown Or Other (4), Electrical system (3), Airbags (2), Engine (2), Transmission / drivetrain (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/27/2025 · Airbags
Dashboard leather is separating and was told this could affect the airbag deployment in the case of an accident. Porsche dealership is asking 10k outside of warranty to replace the dash. If it was just cosmetic I could deal with it, but now that it is a safety concern for my passenger I feel forced to overspend. Even a reduced amount would help but a whole…
06/08/2024 · Electrical system
Much like thousands of Cayenne drivers, I am constantly let down by an ongoing issue with Adaptive Cruise Control failures with an error message that reads, “Adaptive Cruise Control unavailable.” THIS MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF NOT REPAIRED AS VEHICULAR COLLISION RATES INCREASE DRAMATICALLY TO NO AVAIL. Porsche dealers are notoriously recalcitra…
09/08/2023 · Electrical system
I was driving the auto and parked in my garage without any indication of a fault. I attempted to start the car about 30 minutes later and the car would not start and gave an error message that said "change driver" I tried both keys and neither would allow the car to be started. There was no starter noise indicating a weak battery. I had to have the car…
07/08/2023 · Electrical system
Problem with the hybrid system and the engine control system. Unit changed automatically and unexpectedly from battery power mode to engine power mode when on battery power mode only. This change is not supposed to happen. This failure happened when starting the unit, put on drive and starting to move forward. This failure caused the unit to charge forwa…
10/12/2022 · Airbags
The car is notifying me that the drivers airbag is not working. the message that appears is: “Airbag system error, please visit workshop”
08/13/2022 · Unknown Or Other
othe car's tach increase several hundred RPM as the computer tries to match revs when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gear in Normal Mode and 2nd to 1st gear in Sport Mode.. When that happens, the car lurches forward. owhat seems to be happening is the engine is over-revving while disengaged from a gear on shifts from 3rd to 2nd and even more so on 2nd to 1st…
02/24/2022 · Steering
The contact owns a 2021 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the steering wheel felt loose. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tie rod bolt, track bolt, and hexagon head bolt needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repair…
02/23/2022 · Transmission / drivetrain
While coming to a stop the vehicle lurches around 1200 rpms as the rpms are falling. The vehicle appears to already be in 1st gear when this happens. This can be replicated in all driving modes. observation: when braking or even when coasting to a stop the vehicle will slow down rapidly, as if the brakes are being tapped hard (the brake pressure is constant…