2006 Porsche Cayenne S problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2) · Exterior Lighting (2)
Safety recalls (3)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-08-30 · campaign 22V656000 · 222,858 vehicles
Defect: 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 Federa
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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (Prndl) 2019-06-12 · campaign 19V446000 · 99,665 vehicles
Defect: 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, Panam
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 risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2017-09-20 · campaign 17V576000 · 50,145 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (367)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 28-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c40 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 27-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c20 engine oils. note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c20 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 26-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c30 engine oils. note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which c30 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 25-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche a40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which a40 engine oils are assigned. model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.
Wheels 2026-09-14 · SPTL2609 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
special tools and equipment information for alignment machines - q3 2026 software spec update available
Electrical System 2026-09-01 · No. 12-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical information for damage to nano plug contacts due to utilization of incorrect measuring equipment
Showing the 6 most recent of 367 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-02-14 · Power Train · 158,322 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2006 porsche cayenne s. the contact stated that the front of the vehicle was facing uphill, the contact decided not to reverse down the hill and was attempting to turn the vehicle around to drive down the hill. the contact put the vehicle in park and was hanging over the driver’s front door attempting to see where the edge of the…”
2021-01-27 · Exterior Lighting · 173,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 porsche cayenne s. the contact stated the insulation for the wires on the headlights were worn out resulting in the loss of headlight functionality. the contact stated that check headlight and check turn signal lights were illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. the manufacturer had not been informed …”
2019-02-25 · Exterior Lighting · 145,000 mi“insulation on the wiring inside the head lights and wiring on the harnesses feeding the head lights & turn signal lights deteriorates and crumbles. this leads to shorting of wires and head light & turn signal failing. additionally the connectors on the head lights & harnesses corrode leading to headlight/turn-signal failure. this can occur at anyti…”
2019-01-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 158,000 mi“i received a recall notice from porsche (ah10 porsche safety recall) for replacement of the filter flange of fuel pump. the letter was dated 14nov2017. on 28nov2017 i took the car to the dealer for repair, which was supposed to be at no cost to me. the dealer did not have the newly designed part, so he replaced the defective filter flange (which…”
2018-07-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System“nhtsa recall no.: 17v-576; porsche safety recall ah10. the recall notification was received 12/17 and i have spoken to my porsche dealership 3 times since. the porsche dealership has not received the filter flange replacement parts from the manufacturer and has no idea when they will be received.…”
2018-01-17 · Air Bags“i called the phone the dealer and they said they have zero information on this issue. please advise. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).' *pm…”
2017-04-17 · Unknown Or Other · 10 mi“" some 2003 to 2006 model year porsche cayenne vehicles with v8 engines were equipped with plastic coolant pipes that can prematurely degrade or fracture. those vehicles are known as the 'class vehicles' and the individuals who owned or leased such class vehicles are known as 'class members.' porsche cars north america ("pcna") was not found liable…”
2012-06-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 83,803 mi“the dealer sold the vehicle knowing coolant pipes were not updated. just had the vehicle serviced in april had to pay for maintenance that should have been done before purchase. then 1 june the warning light came on "check coolant level low". then the warning light came on "engine too hot". i was forced to pay for repairs when the mechanic receiv…”
2012-01-03 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 75,465 mi“the coolant pipes failed on a recent road trip due to the pipes cracking. i lost all of my coolant and overheated my engine. this seems to be a common theme amongst 2004-2006 cayenne models as there is currently a class action lawsuit pending. *tr…”
2011-11-01 · Power Train · 70,500 mi“upon returning from a 200 mile trip cruising at 60-65 mph and exiting the off ramp at lower speeds (25-30mph) my vehicle began to shake violently and stop upon coming to a complete stop. once i started to accelerate the vehicle again began to shake violently and loud knocking came from the under carriage. i took the vehicle to my mechanic and he sa…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.