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Porsche Cayenne SModel year report

2006 Porsche Cayenne S Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,634miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 4.5L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 12 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (2) and fuel system (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 30% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,634 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 367 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 41 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

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.”

NHTSA complaint #10442279, filed 2012-01, 75,465 miles

Exterior 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11182377, filed 2019-02, 145,000 miles

Fuel 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11110936, filed 2018-07

Transmission and drivetrain: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10433773, filed 2011-11, 70,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

30% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,532 and 158,000 miles.

10%0–100%10–2520%25–5010%50–7520%75–10010%100–15030%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,634 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2009201022011201222017201822019220212024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Porsche Cayenne S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cayenne S 4WD/AWD4.5L 8-cyl5-speed automatic121714$5,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 367 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 367 bulletins →

Other model years of the Porsche Cayenne S

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012685,0002—18—Not enough data
20111770,0003—18—Rising
20085111,0001—15—Not enough data
20061379,6343—14—Not enough data
20051074,8004—14—Not enough data
20044860,0009—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Porsche Cayenne S model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 2.

Has the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S (Cayenne S, 4.5L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Porsche Cayenne S reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,634 miles and the middle half falls between 45,532 and 158,000 miles; 30% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.