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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-PORSCHE-CAYENNE
2016 · Porsche

Porsche Cayenne problems

1 safety recall. 36 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
8 reports · avg $1,100
moderate
powertrain
7 reports · avg $2,500
severe
lighting
6 reports · avg $250
moderate
engine
3 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2016 Cayenne?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 Cayenne · steering
AUTO START STOP FUNCTION. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE CAR IS STILL MOVING SLOWLY. YOU LOSE ABILITY TO STEER VEHICLE WHILE MOVING (ALBEIT SLOWLY) WHEN THE AUTO START/STOP FUNCTION ENGAGES. THIS FUNCTION SHOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN THE CAR IS…
12/30/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10817114.0
2016 Cayenne · lighting
The contact owns a 2016 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that water had leaked inside the front driver's side and passenger's side headlamps. The contact stated that the failure caused the headlights to become foggy and significantly dim, reducing the visibility of the…
12/27/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562147.0
2016 Cayenne · airbags
Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer looked and recommended replacing it. This is a very common issue.
12/08/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11703693.0
2016 Cayenne · powertrain
While driving vehicle, noticed some slippage/clunking when turning. Took vehicle to Porsche dealer, they said transfer case needed to be replaced. Car has 12,600 original miles on it. Dealer said there was an extended warranty on the transfer case that had expired. In…
11/26/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11556846.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V169000 23/03/2016

Porsche Cars North America, Inc

If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly circlip, installing any missing circlips, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG02.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Porsche Cayenne reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Porsche Cayenne is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Porsche Cayenne?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 8 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Porsche Cayenne has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Porsche Cayenne?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 36 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 22 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Porsche. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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