Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Porsche Cayenne, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 24% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 15% |
| Power train | 7 | 13% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 5% |
| Air bags | 3 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Last month I began experiencing a strong fuel odor after driving, most noticeable outside the driver-side rear door area, which aligns with the warning sign described in the recall report. This is a time-sensitive safety
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage and exiting the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal fuel odor outside the vehicle. A dealer was contacted. The
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne S. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle was facing uphill, the contact decided not to reverse down the hill and was attempting to turn the vehicle around to drive down
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V576000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the dealer retrieved the vehicle from the residence to perfo
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY CAR STOP SUDDENLY, IGNITION KEY FAILURE, THEN LIKE TRANSMISSION HESUTATION UNTIL THE CAR STOP COMPLETELY WHERE AT THAT MOMENT CALL A TOLL THAT COST ME $650 DLS. SINCE THAT DAY CAR HAVING ELECTRIC PROBLEMS AND EVEN TRA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact became aware of condensation in the headlights and that the headlights w
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2006 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that she was able to navigate the vehicle off the road. The contact t
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSULATION FOR THE WIRES ON THE HEADLIGHTS WERE WORN OUT RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CHECK HEADLIGHT AND
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2006 Porsche Cayenne. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4
Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began Augus
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles, 2004-2006 Cayenne vehicles, and 2006 Cayenne S "Titanium" Edition vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Po
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 affected models and model years. The caps that
Risk: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's cust
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 36 | below average |
| Depreciation | 40 | below average |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 13 of them (24%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 56/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.