PORSCHE CAYENNE S · model year

2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S

13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006PORSCHECAYENNE S carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 CAYENNE S is engine and engine cooling:cooling system with 2 filings, followed by power train (2) and engine and engine cooling (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2006 CAYENNE S. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

13
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
TIRES1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
AIR BAGS1

Recalls (3)

22V65600030/08/2022

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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

17V57600020/09/2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

19V44600012/06/2019

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

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

Recent Complaints

20240214CrashPOWER TRAIN

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 hill was to back up the hill and drive down the hill. However, the gear went into neutral, and the vehicle unexpectedly moved, rolling down the hill. The contact jumped into the moving vehicle and depressed the brake pedal as the back of the vehicle hit the ground smashing the muffler into the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed of the recall. The contact sustained injuries to the chest, left arm and shoulder, and the head. The contact had bruises on both legs and arms, and a large laceration on right shin which required medical attention. In addition, the contact wa

Mileage: 158,322

20210127EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 173,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED EVIDENTLY, THE INSULATION WAS COMPOUNDED FROM A VEGETABLE SOURCE (SOY) NOT VERY DURABLE. THE INSULATION ON THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESSES WERE CRUMBLING. THE HEADLIGHTS HIGH AND LOW BEAM, PARKING LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE INTERMITTENT.*JB

Mileage: 173,000

20190225EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 ANYTIME, DRIVING WHEN STARTING, STATIONARY, OR TURNING.

Mileage: 145,000

20190102FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 HAD BEEN LEAKING FUEL), REPLACED IT WITH A NEW PART, BUT STILL UNDER THE RECALLED DESIGN, AND CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL STATED THE REPAIR WOULD BE DONE AT NO EXPENSE TO VEHICLE OWNERS. THEN IN AUGUST 2018, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE NEWLY DESIGNED PARTS WERE DELIVERED, AT WHICH POINT I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE RECALLED PART WAS REMOVED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED FILTER FLANGE INSTALLED. THIS WAS COMPLETED ON 08AUG2018 AND ON 09AUG2018 I COMPLETED THE PAPERWORK THAT PORSCHE ASKED ME TO COMPLETE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NOVEMBER 2017 REPAIR WORK. THE PROCESSING OF THIS PAPERWORK WAS SUPPOSED

Mileage: 158,000

20180712FUEL/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.

20180117AIR 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

20170417UNKNOWN OR OTHER

" 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 FOR ANY OF THE CLAIMS ALLEGED IN THIS LAWSUIT. THE PARTIES INSTEAD VOLUNTARILY REACHED A SETTLEMENT. UNDER THE SETTLEMENT AND SUBJECT TO PROOF, PCNA WILL PROVIDE A BENEFIT TO CLASS MEMBERS FOR PAST OR FUTURE COOLANT PIPE REPAIRS IN CLASS VEHICLES." HTTP://WWW.COOLANTPIPESETTLEMENT.COM I WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY THE "COOLANT WARNING" LIGHT CAME UP. THERE WAS A MASSIVE LEAK. THE ENGINE STARTED TO HEAT UP. THIS WAS DURING MY MORNING COMMUTE TO WORK. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. OWNERS HAD ONLY A YEAR TO MAKE A CLAIM. I NEVER GOT THE PAPERWORK.

Mileage: 10

20120606ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 RECEIVED A BULLETIN FROM PORSCHE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED PORSCHE AND THEY STATED THE DEALER BRUMOS PORSCHE SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD THE CAR WITHOUT UPDATING THE COOLANT PIPES. I STILL HAD TO PAY OVER $2,000 DOLLARS. *TR

Mileage: 83,803

20120103ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

Mileage: 75,465

20111101POWER TRAIN

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 SAID THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE CENTER DRIVE SHAFT SUPPORT BEARING AND HAS SEEN THIS IN EVER CAYENNE HE HAS SERVICED. I ALSO LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS AND SERVICE TECH'S TALKING ABOUT THIS FAILURE AROUND 70K-90K MILES FOR EVER PORSCHE CAYENNE AND VW TOUREG. I HOPE THERE IS SOME MANUFACTURER FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO. *TR

Mileage: 70,500

20101006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE. CONSUMER STATES COOLANT LEAK AND PROBLEM WITH HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY HIS MECHANIC THAT HE NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, BECAUSE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED. HOWEVER, PORSCHE ONLY OFFERED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS. THE CONSUMER LEARNED THE ORIGINAL COOLANT PIPES WERE MADE OF PLASTIC. *JB

20100820ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I OWN A PORSCHE, CAYENNE S 2006 MODEL. I WAS TRAVELING TO LAS VEGAS, NV FROM HOME (GARDEN GROVE, CA) . ALL OF SUDDEN THERE WAS COOLANT CHECK SIGNAL CAME ON SO I HAVE EXITED FROM FREEWAY AND ADDED MORE COOLANT. HOWEVER THE COOLANT CHECK SIGNAL WOULDN'T GO OFF AND THE TEMP WENT UP SO HIGH THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MAKE THE STORY SHORT, MY WHOLE FAMILY SPENT NEXT 5 HOURS OUT ON 110F SUNLIGHT WITHOUT AC. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT COOLANT PIPES WERE MADE WITH PLASTIC WHICH CANNOT WITHHOLD THE HEAT WHICH VEHICLE GENERATES. AND ALTHOUGH PORSCHE HAS CHANGED THE PARTS TO ALUMINUM THEY STILL HAVEN'T RECALLED THESE VEHICLES. THEY, PORSCHE, ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND YET THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE VEHICLES. ALSO THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR. ALTHOUGH THERE WASN'T ANY INJURIES AT THIS INCIDENTS BUT WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS TROUBLE DUE TO DEHYDRATION, ESPECIALLY 2 OF MY KIDS (12Y & 13Y). WHAT IF OTHER FAMILY GETS STRANDED WITHOUT ANY SOURCE OF HELP.

Mileage: 44,624

20090428TIRES

AUTO DEALER MISREPRESENTED THE CONDITION OF THE TIRES ON A CAR I BOUGHT. THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE UNSAFE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. ARE AUTO DEALERS ALLOWED TO MISREPRESENT SOMETHING SO OBVIOUS AS A UNSAFE TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 45,532

Compare 2006PORSCHECAYENNE S to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S have?
The 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S has 13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S?
Yes, the 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S?
The most-complained component for the 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.