Two years at the same age, so the older one is not punished for having been on the road longer.
2020 vs 2021 Porsche Cayenne
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-09-07
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
In plain English
A lifetime total makes the 2020 look busier because it has been on the road longer. This page counts reports in the first 72 months for each year, so both years are the same age.
The same-age change cannot be calculated because the earlier year has no reports in that window.
The mix also shifted: Electrical is a larger share of reports on the 2021 (10.4 points). That is a change in what owners named, not a score.
Open both year-pages. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov. Have a shop inspect Electrical. Do not pick a year from the percentage alone.
First 72 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Sep 8, 2026
Reports while each year was the same age
Change unavailable because the earlier-year baseline is zero
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-09-07
What owners named more or less
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 2020 share | 2021 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 8.7% | 19.1% | ▲ 10.4 pts larger share |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 13.0% | 4.8% | ▼ 8.3 pts smaller share |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 4.4% | 9.5% | ▲ 5.2 pts larger share |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 4.4% | 9.5% | ▲ 5.2 pts larger share |
| Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) | 4.4% | 9.5% | ▲ 5.2 pts larger share |
| Steering (STEERING) | not reported | 4.8% | ▲ 4.8 pts larger share |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 4.4% | not reported | ▼ 4.4 pts smaller share |
| Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) | 4.4% | not reported | ▼ 4.4 pts smaller share |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 8.7% | 4.8% | ▼ 3.9 pts smaller share |
| Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) | 8.7% | 4.8% | ▼ 3.9 pts smaller share |
| Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) | 4.4% | 4.8% | ▲ 0.4 pts larger share |
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 4.4% | 4.8% | ▲ 0.4 pts larger share |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 39.1% | 38.1% | ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-09-06
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: Airbags, Rear camera / backup safety, Electrical, and Transmission / driveline
Campaign components: Airbags, Rear camera / backup safety, Electrical, Steering, and Suspension
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 0 → 0
- ◆ Injuries
- 1 → 0
Frequently asked questions
Which Porsche Cayenne year had more problems, 2020 or 2021?
The same-age change cannot be calculated because the earlier year has no reports in that window. Lifetime totals are not used here because the older year has had more time on the road.
Why not just compare lifetime complaint totals?
The older year has had more time to collect reports. This page holds age constant by counting the first 72 months for each year.
Does a larger share of one system mean that year is worse?
No. It means owners named that system more often in the file. Inspect it. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip.