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Porsche CayenneModel year report

2006 Porsche Cayenne Problems

Complaints
41filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,252miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 18 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The part named most often is fuel system, with 19 complaints (46% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (8) and electrical system (6). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,252 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 401 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the gear position indication (prndl) and 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Notice of safety recall received on 11/29/17 from Porsche. Gas leaking from fuel filter pump flange. Situation already happened to my vehicle previous to receiving recall notice. Required immediate fix due to danger with gas leaking under vehicle. I had car repaired and wrote to wrote to Porsche to request reimbursement of my expenses on 12/1/17. No response.”

NHTSA complaint #11078240, filed 2018-03, 83,505 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I was driving the truck and all of a sudden I heard a knocking noise that sounded like the bottom of the car was going to fall off. I made it home and called the dealer. I was advised that this was a common problem and that it was the cardon shaft and it was a common problem. The job I was advised was a $2,000 job. I haven't been able to drive the truck. I finally had it repaired for roughly $900. Very unhappy...”

NHTSA complaint #11033085, filed 2017-10, 87,000 miles

Electrical system: “For safety: airbag fault and earning light appearing approximately 60k miles in. From a simple google search, it appears to be a widespread issue. When contacting both Porsche locally and Porsche corporate to amend, both refuse repairs by citing vehicle's age (although this is a prevalent, known issue). For performance features: PCM failure; PCM is the navigation and radio console system. …”

NHTSA complaint #10915688, filed 2016-10, 60,000 miles

Air bags: “While traveling on one of the main highways of dubai, united arab emirates, a Porsche Cayenne driven by a female uae national was hit on the left hand side of said vehicle by another vehicle causing severe damage to the car and various injuries to the driver. Of the three (3) air bags on said vehicle, not a single one deployed or opened that could surely have lessened the injuries sustained by the driver.”

NHTSA complaint #10183500, filed 2007-02, 16,800 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

21% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 116,000 miles.

4%0–1013%10–254%25–5017%50–7525%75–10025%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,252 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’06’11’14’16’1814’20’26
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 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 4WD/AWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic141815$5,500
Cayenne 4WD/AWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual131915$5,500

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 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 401 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 401 bulletins →

Other model years of the Porsche Cayenne

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20265—1—18—Too new
20255—2—18—Too new
20245—5—19—Too new
20235—2—18—Too new
20212131,0006—20—Falling
20202440,0005—20—Stable
20194712,0007—21100 · MoreRising
20181310,0001—19—Not enough data
20171841,0002—19—Rising
20164016,0002—2080 · MoreRising
20151416,0003—23—Not enough data
20145341,0003—1975 · MoreRising
20134066,0953—1925 · FewerStable
20122751,4504—1950 · TypicalFalling
20113064,5083—199 · FewerRising
20091584,2502—16—Stable
20082776,3883—1616 · FewerFalling
20064180,2523—15Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20053266,0004—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043891,0006—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Porsche Cayenne model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Porsche Cayenne have?

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Fuel system is named most often, in 19 complaints (46% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 8.

Has the 2006 Porsche Cayenne 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 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Porsche Cayenne (Cayenne, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,252 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 116,000 miles; 21% 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.