2016 Porsche Cayenne Problems
Compared with other Porsche Cayenne years
More complaints than typical for this model
80/100 2.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 2.0× that of a typical Porsche Cayenne year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 10 of its 40 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Other or unknown (16 complaints, median 16,000 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2013
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 40filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 16,000miles, 17 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl AWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 16 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags (11) and transmission and drivetrain (7). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 88% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 16,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 522 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 98 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 6 Porsche Cayenne model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 80 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Other or unknown16 40%
- Air bags11 28%
- Exterior lighting6 15%
- Engine5 13%
- Fuel system5 13%
- Electrical system3 7.5%
- Lane departure1 2.5%
- Steering1 2.5%
- Body and structure1 2.5%
Also reported: Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “Blower is keep starting and raising itself. When we open the driver door it is shutting it off. Dealer is unable to identify the issue and fix it it occured on a 72 degree temp day, moring. Car was parked in the garage and was not used for previous 2 days. It happend many times and towed to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong with it”
NHTSA complaint #11144577, filed 2018-10, 24,024 milesAir bags: “Dear NHTSA, I am writing to express a serious safety concern regarding the dashboard of my 2016 Porsche Cayenne S. The leather on the dash has begun to shrink and is no longer fitted properly. This misalignment is causing me significant worry about the potential impact on airbag deployment in the event of an accident. Given the crucial role that the dashboard and its covering play in the proper functioning of the airbag system, this issue could compromise the airbags' deployment or effectiveness. …”
NHTSA complaint #11608655, filed 2024-08Transmission and drivetrain: “Last week I had my car for 20000 mile service and the technician noticed vibration with acceleration and advised the transfer case be replaced which was done 10/28. I contacted Porsche USA as I was concerned with this being a relatively new vehicle and the problem with transfer case so fast.I was told it was a manufacturing defect and the transfer case was replaced with a re manufactured one and not a new one. When I wrote to them I was contacted today and told that was not a possibility. …”
NHTSA complaint #11042194, filed 2017-11, 20,000 milesExterior lighting: “**Subject**: Urgent Safety Concern: Headlight Condensation and Water Damage in 2015-2018 Porsche Cayenne 958.2 Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report a serious safety issue with the LED matrix headlights on my 2016 Porsche Cayenne GTS (958.2). The problem involves severe condensation buildup within the headlight assembly, leading to water damage and electrical failures. This defect has caused my headlights to fail, particularly during nighttime driving in heavy rain, which significantly reduced visibility. …”
NHTSA complaint #11612920, filed 2024-09Mileage when problems were reported
88% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 250 and 37,000 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.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 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); plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayenne AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Cayenne S AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Cayenne Diesel AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel | 8-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $4,000 |
| Cayenne S e-Hybrid AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · plug-in hybrid | 8-speed automatic | 21 | 24 | 22 gas only | — |
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
- 22V656000Aug 30, 2022Exterior lighting › HeadlightsCovers: Porsche Cayenne 2003–2006, 2008–2017, Cayenne S 2003–2006, 2008–2009, 2011–2015, Cayenne Turbo 2006, 2008–2016 +16 more
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…
- 16V169000Mar 23, 2016Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkagesCovers: Porsche Cayenne 2011–2016
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to…
Recall details for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne → · 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. 522 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037816Sep 22, 2026Engine, Transmission and drivetrain. 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.
- 11037813Sep 22, 2026Engine, Transmission and drivetrain. 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.
- 11037812Sep 22, 2026Engine, Transmission and drivetrain. 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.
- 11037808Sep 22, 2026Engine, Transmission and drivetrain. 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…
- 11037868Sep 14, 2026Steering, Wheels, Suspension. Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q3 2026 Software Spec Update Available
- 11037795Sep 1, 2026Electrical system. Technical Information for Damage to Nano Plug Contacts Due to Utilization of Incorrect Measuring Equipment
- 11037085Aug 28, 2026Other or unknown. Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers
- 11037083Aug 17, 2026Suspension, Steering, Wheels. Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available
- 11037072Aug 14, 2026Other or unknown. Product Knowledge for Model Type Designations
- 11037071Aug 14, 2026Other or unknown. Product Knowledge for Chassis/VIN Numbering Systems
Other model years of the Porsche Cayenne
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 18 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 5 | — | 5 | — | 19 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Too new |
| 2021 | 21 | 31,000 | 6 | — | 20 | — | Falling |
| 2020 | 24 | 40,000 | 5 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 2019 | 47 | 12,000 | 7 | — | 21 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 13 | 10,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 18 | 41,000 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Rising |
| 2016 | 40 | 16,000 | 2 | — | 20 | 80 · More | Rising |
| 2015 | 14 | 16,000 | 3 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 53 | 41,000 | 3 | — | 19 | 75 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 40 | 66,095 | 3 | — | 19 | 25 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 27 | 51,450 | 4 | — | 19 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 30 | 64,508 | 3 | — | 19 | 9 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2009 | 15 | 84,250 | 2 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 27 | 76,388 | 3 | — | 16 | 16 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2006 | 41 | 80,252 | 3 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2005 | 32 | 66,000 | 4 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 38 | 91,000 | 6 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Porsche Cayenne model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Porsche Cayenne have?
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Porsche Cayenne is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 16 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags with 11.
Has the 2016 Porsche Cayenne been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Porsche Cayenne get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Porsche Cayenne (Cayenne, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Porsche Cayenne reported?
Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 16,000 miles and the middle half falls between 250 and 37,000 miles; 88% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.