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2021 Porsche Cayenne

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Cayenne.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne is a performance-oriented SUV powered by an automatic transmission (S8) and achieves EPA-rated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, placing it competitively within its segment for a vehicle prioritizing driving engagement alongside everyday usability; reliability data for this model year shows 17 owner complaints filed with a top complaint area categorized as unknown or other, alongside five recalls, which contextualizes against the nameplate's broader complaint history spanning 2003 to 2026—where complaints peaked at 101 in 2004 and reached their lowest at just one in 2010—indicating that while the 2021 model falls well below the model's troubled early years, it also does not match the near-flawless reliability record of its most refined iteration.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy19/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. · 60 O.E. AmpHrs. CCA battery, OE oil filter 9A711533100. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. · 60 O.E. AmpHrs. CCAOEM · verified
Tire size285/40R21/XL 109V, Rear: 315/35R21/XL 111VOEM · verified
Wheel / rimStandard: 9.5, Optional: 9.5, 10; Rear: Standard: 11, Optional: 11, 11.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9A711533100 alt PAB115441
Engine air filterPAB133843A
Spark plug9A790560100 alt 9A790560150
Battery9Y0915107RY alt 9Y0915107NY
Front wiper blades9Y1955329A
Serpentine belt95826084910 alt PAB90313700
Thermostat9A712168800 alt 9A700850800
Cabin air filterPAB81943900

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width78 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase114.2 in
Curb weight4376 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 23 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Cayenne of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.4–4.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.40 sec — 2021 Turbo S E-Hybrid PHEV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Turbo S E-Hybrid PHEV 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec 17.9-kWh3.40 sec11.80 sec670 hpAWD
2021GTS Coupe 4.0L Twin-Turbo V83.80 sec12.50 sec453 hpAWD
2021GTS Coupe 4.0L Twin-Turbo V83.90 sec12.50 sec453 hpAWD
2021E-Hybrid Coupe PHEV 3.0L Turbo V6 + Elec 17.9-kWh4.20 sec12.80 sec455 hpAWD
2021E-Hybrid PHEV 3.0L Turbo V6 + Elec 17.9-kWh4.30 sec12.80 sec455 hpAWD
2020Turbo Coupe 4.0L Twin-Turbo V83.20 sec11.70 sec541 hpAWD
2020Turbo S E-Hybrid PHEV 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec 14.1-kWh3.20 sec11.50 sec670 hpAWD
2020Turbo S E-Hybrid PHEV (Euro Spec) 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec 14.1-kWh3.30 sec11.60 sec670 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs84.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts19.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs90.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs114.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant CapacityZone 2
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity3.72 oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance60 O.E. AmpHrs. cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
142.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 50°42 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
172.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°72 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
190.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 100°90 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install and hand tighten all bolts. Step 222 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1011 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
119.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°19 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°44 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
119.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°19 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°11 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
142.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen all Bolts., Step 4: 108.0 inch lbs., Step 5: 42.0 inch lbs., Step 6: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: 80°42 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBody Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Underbody (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAir Intake System (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 40,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Mount (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Seat Belt System (inspect)
Every 80,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 160,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne sits in a relatively quiet part of the model’s federal record. Complaints dropped to 17 from 21 in 2020 and then fell further to just 3 in 2022, while recalls rose modestly to 5 after 4 in 2020 before declining to 2 in 2022. Technical service bulletins also tapered from 780 in 2020 to 681 in 2021 and 522 in 2022, suggesting the post-2019 service-volume peak was easing. The top complaint categories are small in number—led by “Unknown or Other” with 3—and there were zero crash or fire complaints, though the data does not specify any root cause. Compared with earlier spikes such as 101 complaints in 2004 or 62 in 2011, the 2021 model looks calm. That makes 2021 a generally sound used-Cayenne choice, provided a buyer verifies that all five recalls have been addressed.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
681
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
17
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’03’04’05’06’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 17 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System2
Air Bags2
Steering,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Electrical System,Visibility/Wiper1
Back Over Prevention1
Air Bags,Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V040000Suspension:RearReported 28/01/2022

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cayenne vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-271 (AMA9) were performed. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…

21V271000Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle AssemblyReported 21/04/2021

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne Turbo Coupe, and Cayenne GTS Coupe vehicles. The lock nut on… Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock nuts, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 681 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
40/26 44072026-06-30WheelsWheel Bolt Replacement Requirement - Change from Wheel Bolts with Aluminum Washers to…
03/26 91022026-06-30Electrical SystemComplaint Regarding the Camera View (Real Top View) in the PCM Central Display (03/26)
TSTR26362026-06-29Unknown Or OtherPorsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.200.031
TSTR26352026-06-29Unknown Or OtherPorsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.200.030
20/262026-06-25EngineOverview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils (20/26)

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cayenne. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group T batteryEngine oil filter 9A711533100Engine air filter PAB133843ASpark plug 9A790560100Battery 9Y0915107RY

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 Cayenne have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cayenne get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.