NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Porsche Cayenne S Safety Record
The 2021 Porsche Cayenne S has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 1 recall and 12 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
For the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S, no federal crash-test ratings are available. NHTSA did not test this model year, so it carries no star ratings nor a computed Safety Index from the agency. Without this data, no federal assessment exists on its crashworthiness. The available federal record does show a light recall burden, with one recall campaign. Owner complaints are also low for this model year, with twelve unverified complaints reported to NHTSA, none of which cite crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.
The 2021 Porsche Cayenne S was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries one federal recall campaign, and falls in the Light recall and complaint burden band according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 12 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S?
The 2021 Cayenne S has not been subjected to NHTSA crash testing, leaving a significant information gap for safety-conscious buyers. No tested sibling years exist to provide structural reference for this generation of the Cayenne. The vehicle's "Light burden band" rating is based solely on its recall and complaint record. This specific model year shows a narrow federal safety footprint: one recall addresses the seat system across a defined group of Cayenne variants, and twelve unverified complaints are spread across six component categories. None of these complaints involve a reported crash, fire, injury, or death. This record reflects a comparatively low volume of federal safety actions and allegations relative to the broader vehicle population. Prospective owners should understand that the absence of crash-test data for the 2021 Cayenne S means its crashworthiness remains formally unassessed by federal standards.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S have any recalls?
The 2021 Porsche Cayenne S is covered by one recall campaign, which targets the seat system. The campaign encompasses certain 2021 Cayenne GTS, Cayenne GTS Coupe, and 2020-2021 Cayenne Coupe and Cayenne S Coupe variants. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided for this recall.
SEATS21V318000
Risk: The front passenger air bag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will install a heating element, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB0.
Reported 2021-05-05
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S?
Twelve owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S. The top components alleged are Unknown or Other (4 reports), Electrical System (3), Air Bags (2), Engine (2), Power Train (2), and Service Brakes (2). All complaints are unverified consumer allegations and have not been established as confirmed defects.
12 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S?
For the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S, a significant recall involving the seat system warrants attention. Owners or prospective buyers should use the VIN lookup tool on nhtsa.gov to verify the recall's status on individual vehicles.
- NHTSA did not crash-test the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S, meaning no frontal, side, or rollover star ratings exist for this model year.
- One recall campaign affects certain 2021 Cayenne S Coupe units, specifically targeting the seat system; shoppers should verify remedy status via the NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov.
- Twelve unverified complaints were reported to NHTSA for this model year, with alleged issues spanning the electrical system, air bags, engine, power train, and service brakes, though none of the reports involve a crash, fire, injury, or death.
- No tested sibling years for this model appear in the NHTSA data covered here, so there is no parallel star-rated model year to reference for structural crash-safety context.
FAQ2021 Porsche Cayenne S safety questions
Was the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 1 recall and 12 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 12 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne S. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Porsche Cayenne S 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.