CarBrief

NHTSA lists 55 owner complaints and 3 recalls for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne[1][2]. Owners in a sample of complaints we read describe coolant pipe, driveshaft and fuel leak problems, so check the repair history and recall status before you buy[3][4][5].

55owner complaints[1]
3recalls[2]
14–15MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 55 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Cayenne[1]. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries and 2 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

The biggest groups are:

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts. This is not a count of all owners, so treat it as a hint and not a rule.

Engine. In the engine sample, owners describe coolant pipes that crack or come apart, which drains the coolant and leads to overheating. Some also describe repair bills in the thousands of dollars[3]. One engine complaint describes a fire after the car was shut off, with the cause not determined[3].

Power train. Owners describe vibration or knocking that they link to the driveshaft or a support bearing. Others describe a gear selector that does not hold Park, and a few describe a transmission that hesitates or surges[4]. Some of the selector complaints are about waiting for recall parts (see the recall section).

Fuel. In a sample of fuel complaints, owners describe a fuel smell or a leak near the rear of the car[5]. In the fuel samples we read, several texts are about a recall repair, and the owners say the parts were not available at their dealer when they asked[5][7]. We cannot tell from our data whether that is still the case.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 Cayenne[2]. Newest first:

Some owners in our complaint samples say dealers did not have the parts for the 19V446 and 17V576 repairs when they asked[4][5]. If you own or are buying one, ask a Porsche dealer whether both repairs are done and whether parts are on hand.

Fuel economy

All EPA ratings in our data use premium fuel and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive[6][15][16][17]. The 3.2L 6-cyl gets 15 mpg combined, and EPA estimates fuel at $5,500 a year[6][15]. The 4.5L 8-cyl gets 14 mpg combined, and EPA estimates $5,850 a year[16][17]. EPA fuel cost uses current price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined Annual fuel cost
3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[6] 14 / 18 / 15 $5,500
3.2L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd[15] 13 / 19 / 15 $5,500
Cayenne S, 4.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[16] 12 / 17 / 14 $5,850
Cayenne Turbo, 4.5L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 5-spd[17] 12 / 17 / 14 $5,850

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-star safety rating for the 4-door AWD 2006 Cayenne is listed as not rated[18]. That means there is no star score to compare. It is not a good or bad result.

Engine and size

Our data lists a 3.2L 6-cyl engine and a 4.5L 8-cyl engine, the 8-cyl also as a turbo[6][16][17]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Cayenne[19] 189 in 76 in 67 in 113 in 4,762 lb
Cayenne S[20] 189 in 76 in 67 in 113 in 4,949 lb
Cayenne Turbo[21] 189 in 76 in 67 in 113 in 5,192 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

2003: 7 complaints, 9 recalls20032004: 101 complaints, 9 recalls2005: 46 complaints, 4 recalls2006: 55 complaints, 3 recalls5520062007: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2008: 42 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 15 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 1 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 59 complaints, 5 recalls2012: 36 complaints, 5 recalls20122013: 40 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 53 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 15 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 40 complaints, 2 recalls2017: 19 complaints, 2 recalls2018: 14 complaints, 1 recalls20182019: 46 complaints, 8 recalls2020: 25 complaints, 6 recalls2021: 21 complaints, 7 recalls20212022: 4 complaints, 3 recalls2023: 5 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 5 complaints, 5 recalls20242025: 6 complaints, 2 recalls2026: 5 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cayenne model year. The 2006 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200379
20041019
2005464
2006553
200710
2008423
2009152
201012
2011595
2012365
2013403
2014533
2015153
2016402
2017192
2018141
2019468
2020256
2021217
202243
202352
202455
202562
202651

Among the Cayenne model years NHTSA lists, 2006 has the third most complaints, with 55[2]. Only 2004 (101) and 2011 (59) have more[2]. For recalls, 2006 has 3, compared with 9 each for 2003 and 2004, 4 for 2005 and none for 2007[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them only to compare Cayenne years with each other.

Should you buy a used 2006 Cayenne?

The 2006 Cayenne is not a clear pass or fail, but it asks for homework. The complaint count is among the higher ones for this model[2], and our sample of owner texts points to coolant pipes, the driveshaft and fuel leaks[2][3][4][5]. Ask for repair records that show whether those items were handled. Confirm with a Porsche dealer that the gear selector (19V446) and fuel pump flange (17V576) recalls are completed[13][14]. Fuel costs are high, at $5,500 to $5,850 a year by EPA estimates[6][16].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Porsche Cayenne?
Fuel/propulsion system has the most complaints at 15, then engine at 11 and power train at 10[5][3][4]. In a small sample of texts, owners describe coolant pipe failures, driveshaft vibration and fuel leaks or recall parts delays[3][4][5].
Does the 2006 Porsche Cayenne have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3: headlight adjustment caps (22V656), the gear selector bushing (19V446) and the fuel pump flange (17V576)[12][13][14].
What gas mileage does the 2006 Porsche Cayenne get?
EPA rates the 3.2L 6-cyl at 15 mpg combined and the 4.5L 8-cyl at 14 mpg combined[6][15][16][17].
How safe is the 2006 Porsche Cayenne?
NHTSA lists its 5-star safety rating as not rated[18].
Is 2006 a bad year for the Porsche Cayenne?
It has the third most complaints of the Cayenne years NHTSA lists, 55, behind 2004 (101) and 2011 (59)[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 55 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Porsche Cayenne model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 11 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,232). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 10 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 15 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,970). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. EPA rating for Cayenne, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 8 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 22V656, filed August 30, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 19V446, filed June 12, 2019: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl). NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 17V576, filed September 20, 2017: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Cayenne, 3.2L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Cayenne S, 4.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Cayenne Turbo, 4.5L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAYENNE 4DR SUV 4WD: length 189 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,762 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAYENNE S 4DR SUV 4WD: length 189 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,949 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAYENNE TURBO 4DR SUV 4WD: length 189 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 5,192 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.