CarBrief

NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Porsche Cayenne[1]. It also lists 2 recalls for this model year[2], and both have a free dealer remedy[3][4].

19owner complaints[1]
2recalls[2]
17–20MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 19 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash. None mention a fire, an injury or a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Here is how the complaints split by component group:

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[6] 8
Engine[7] 4
Unknown or other[8] 4
Exterior lighting[9] 4
Fuel/propulsion system[10] 3
Power train[11] 2
Air bags[12] 2
Structure[13] 1

The electrical system has the biggest count[6]. In the small sample of electrical complaints we read, owners describe warning messages and electronic faults. One describes a stall with a warning message, one a hybrid battery failure message in cold weather, and one a driver assistance malfunction. Two describe water getting into electrical parts, through a trunk drain or a headlight[6].

For the engine group, the sample we read has owners describing oil leaking from around the timing chain cover with loose or broken bolts. Others describe a stall with loss of power and a coolant temperature warning on a hybrid[7].

In the exterior lighting sample, every text we read describes water or condensation inside the headlight housings. One owner says a headlight stopped working[9].

In the fuel/propulsion sample, one owner describes fuel pressure loss that made the engine crank for a long time. Two others describe coolant and fuel warning lights on a hybrid[10].

The air bags, power train, structure and unknown groups have few complaints, so we do not draw a theme from them[11][12][13][8]. Samples are small, so treat these themes as things to ask about, not as a ranking of what goes wrong.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Cayenne[2]. Newest first:

Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243[3][4].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings differ by version. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Version Engine City / Highway / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Cayenne[14] 3.6L 6-cyl 18 / 24 / 20 $4,100
Cayenne S[5] 3.6L 6-cyl turbo 17 / 24 / 20 $4,100
Cayenne Platinum[15] 3.6L 6-cyl 17 / 23 / 19 $4,350
Cayenne GTS[16] 3.6L 6-cyl turbo 16 / 23 / 19 $4,350
Cayenne Turbo[17] 4.8L 8-cyl turbo 14 / 21 / 17 $4,850
Cayenne Turbo S[18] 4.8L 8-cyl turbo 14 / 21 / 17 $4,850

All of these use premium fuel and all-wheel drive[5][16][17][18][14][15]. The Cayenne S e-Hybrid has a 3.0L 6-cylinder and runs on premium gas or electricity[19]. EPA rates it at 22 MPGe combined with 480 miles of range[19].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 2017 Cayenne as not rated, for every version we checked[20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. That means no star result is on file. It is not a low score.

Engine and size

EPA lists these horsepower ratings for 2017 test cars:

Size comes from Canadian-market specifications, which can differ slightly from US models. Every version listed is 191 in long, 76 in wide and has a 114 in wheelbase[30][31][32][33]. Height is 67 in[30][31][32][33]. Weight is what changes:

Version Curb weight
Cayenne S/GTS[32] 4,597 lb
Cayenne[30] 4,652 lb
Cayenne Turbo/Turbo S[33] 4,982 lb
Cayenne S e-Hybrid[31] 5,181 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2003: 7 complaints, 9 recalls20032004: 101 complaints, 9 recalls2005: 46 complaints, 4 recalls2006: 55 complaints, 3 recalls20062007: 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 recalls1920172018: 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 2017 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

NHTSA lists 19 complaints and 2 recalls for the 2017 Cayenne[2]. Across the 24 Cayenne model years in NHTSA's data, 11 other years list fewer complaints and 12 list more[2]. Only 3 other years list fewer recalls: 2007 with 0, 2018 with 1 and 2026 with 1[2].

The neighbors look like this: 2016 has 40 complaints and 2 recalls, 2018 has 14 complaints and 1 recall, and 2019 has 46 complaints and 8 recalls[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show how much was filed, not how reliable a year is.

Should you buy a used 2017 Cayenne?

The 2017 Cayenne has a mid-sized complaint file next to other Cayenne years[2]. Both of its recalls have a free dealer remedy, so confirm on a given car that they were done[3][4]. In the samples we read, owners describe electrical faults, headlight moisture and, on hybrids, warning lights[6][9][10]. Fuel cost depends on the version, from 17 to 20 combined MPG for the gas versions[5][16][17][18][14][15]. This page cannot tell you about price, towing or long-term reliability.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2017 Porsche Cayenne?
NHTSA has 19 complaints, with electrical system the biggest group at 8[1][6]. In a small sample we read, owners also describe headlight moisture and engine oil leaks[9][7].
Does the 2017 Porsche Cayenne have any recalls?
Yes, 2[2]. One covers missing headlight screw caps (22V656) and one a ski bag strap (18V844)[3][4]. Both list a free dealer remedy.
What MPG does the 2017 Porsche Cayenne get?
Gas versions are rated 17 to 20 combined MPG by EPA[5][16][17][18][14][15]. The S e-Hybrid is rated 22 MPGe combined[19].
How does the 2017 Cayenne compare with other years?
It lists 19 complaints and 2 recalls, while 2016 lists 40 and 2 and 2019 lists 46 and 8[2].
Did NHTSA give the 2017 Cayenne a safety rating?
NHTSA lists it as not rated[20].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Porsche Cayenne (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Porsche Cayenne model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 22V656, filed August 30, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 18V844, filed November 28, 2018: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Cayenne S, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 4 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 4 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 1 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Cayenne, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Cayenne Platinum, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Cayenne GTS, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Cayenne Turbo, 4.8L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Cayenne Turbo S, 4.8L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Cayenne S e-Hybrid, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (AM8), Premium Gas or Electricity: 22 MPGe combined, 480 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Porsche Cayenne with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 416 hp. www.epa.gov
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Porsche Cayenne with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 300 to 440 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  29. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Porsche Cayenne with 4.8L 8-cylinder: rated 520 hp. www.epa.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAYENNE 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,652 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAYENNE S E-HYBRID 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 5,181 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAYENNE S/GTS 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,597 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  33. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAYENNE TURBO/TURBO S 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,982 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.