The 2018 Porsche Cayenne has 1 safety recall and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (3 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints13filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Equipment
NHTSA recall 18V844000 · Nov 28, 2018 · 142 vehicles
Problem: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid Platinum Edition, Macan Turbo and Macan GTS vehicles, 2017-2018 Cayenne S, Macan, Cayenne Platinum Edition and Macan S vehicles and 2018 Cayenne vehicles equipped with the optional ski bag. The ski bag fastening strap may have been sewn with incorrect thread, possibly resulting in the strap seams tearing and the ski bag being unsecured in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the ski bag detaches during a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ski bags, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AJ12.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2018 Porsche Cayenne SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2018 Porsche Cayenne GTS SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2018 Porsche Cayenne Platinum SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2018 Porsche Cayenne S SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2018 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2018 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Platinum SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2018 Porsche Cayenne Turbo SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2018 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Cayenne S e-Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid
22mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 24 mpg
Electric range
14 mi
On electricity
47 MPGe · 70 kWh/100 mi
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AM8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
Cayenne S
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
Cayenne
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
Cayenne GTS
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
Cayenne Platinum
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
Cayenne Turbo
17mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
Cayenne Turbo S
17mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine
3
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
3
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
3
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
—
Air bags
2
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
1
0
0
0
—
Forward collision avoidance Adaptive cruise control
1
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
0
—
Power train
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 20, 2026Fuel/propulsion system The high-voltage battery pack in my 2018 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] , approximately 81,000 miles) has experienced a noticeable and progressive reduction in battery range and performance. On February 20, 2026, Porsche White Plains (an authorized Porsche dealer) performed an inspection but was unable to duplicate an active fault code and declined to generate a battery State of Health (SoH%) report. No warranty repair was authorized. Porsche Cars North America (PCNA), Case #XXX, has since moved to close my statutory warranty claim, citing the absence of a duplicated fault. However, under New York State's adopted CARB emission warranty standards (6 NYCRR § 218-9.1), high-voltage…
Dec 17, 2025Power train Driving through a parking lot, less than five miles an hour, and suddenly heard a horrible knocking sound. Stopped and looked under the car. Nothing. Drove it very slowly to mechanic less than a mile away. Front drive shaft had collapsed and fallen down, according to the mechanic.
May 26, 2025Tires The contact owns a 2018 Porsche Cayenne equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Latitude Sport, Tire Size: 295/35/R21, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front passengerâs side of the vehicle, and the front passengerâs side tire started deflating. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road and was later towed to the local dealer who determined that the front passengerâs side tire sidewall had blown out. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the vehicle had not driven over any object to cause the failure. The tire manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle…
Oct 17, 2024Air bags This is not accident related, but what appears to be a systemic issue related to Cayenne and Macan leather dashboards. The issue is related to delamination of the leather dash cover that can impede the safe deployment of the passenger airbag. Many cars are affected and the repair can be a significant expense to owners (~$10K) for vehicles less than 8 years old. There should be a recall to address a largely unaware owner base for a potential safety issue.
Aug 21, 2024Air bags The Porsche Cayenne that equipped with leather dashboard are peeling off over the time. If the vehicle in an accident, the airbag on the passenger side dashboard may not deploy correctly. I am finding many cayenne owners are having this issue. I really hope NTSB can issue a recall.
Jun 6, 2023Electrical system While the vehicle was charging, the protective sheath near the power outlet of the charging cable had possible electrical or fire damage. No warning lights were illuminated. Upon turning off the power and unplugging the outlet, it was determined that the plastic near the plug melted and caused the power to short. I have been unsuccessful getting the manufacturer to resolve the issue. A recall under APB6 was issued but did not include model year 2018 which uses the same cable that is impacted with the recall.
Mar 15, 2023Exterior lighting Our 2018 Porsche Cayenne has a problem with the headlights and water intrusion that is affecting the functioning of the headlights. I took it to someone to look at and they said this should not be happening, that it is a manufacturer defect. I googled my car / year and there is a recall for headlight issues but for some reason my VIN is not included. It should be. How do I go about having Porsche North America fix this issue for me?
Aug 11, 2021Engine The day we took our Porsche home, we noticed a lot of heat generation in the car- but we thought it will be fine going further, given the attention to detail of Porsche's Automobile Engineering. The following days were not any better for my daughter- she missed a major accident because of the unexpected burnt smell and loud warnings of an overheat of the engine by Porsche in the middle of a highway. Due to her excellent driving record for the past 5 years, she was able to manage and stop in the middle of the highway at the curb of the road. She panicked so much so that, she stopped using the Porsche and borrowed our other cars, Benz and Lexus. I requested her to give Porsche another chance…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…