Porsche Cayenne Passenger Airbag May Not Deploy

NHTSA campaign 21V318000 · Reported May 5, 2021 · Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

The notice says the front passenger airbag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	21V318000
Reported to NHTSA	May 5, 2021
Manufacturer	Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Part affected	Seats
Vehicles covered	7 model/year combinations, model years 2020–2021
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

On certain Porsche Cayenne, Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne GTS Coupe, and Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe vehicles, a heating element that should have been installed in the front passenger seat back was left out. This part affects the system that senses whether a passenger is sitting in the seat, which can throw off its readings. Because of this, the front passenger airbag may fail to deploy.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is included.
2. Contact a Porsche dealer, or call Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243.
3. Dealers will install the missing heating element, free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 21V318000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (7)

2020 Porsche Cayenne
2020 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
2020 Porsche Cayenne S
2021 Porsche Cayenne
2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
2021 Porsche Cayenne GTS
2021 Porsche Cayenne S

Who to contact

Porsche — official Porsche recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-767-7243

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

Other Porsche Cayenne recalls

Dec 19, 2025Porsche Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan Rearview Camera Failuremedium
Sep 23, 2025Porsche Cayenne and Panamera fuel pump bolts may leak fuelcritical
Jul 16, 2024Porsche Cayenne Control Arm Crack Riskcritical
Jul 27, 2023Porsche Cayenne Rear Hazard and Parking Lights May Failhigh
Jan 28, 2022Porsche Cayenne Rear Axle Alignment Missedlow
Jun 30, 2021Porsche Cayenne Steering Column May Detachhigh

All 15 Cayenne recalls

Official notice

Component: SEATS
Summary: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne GTS, Cayenne GTS Coupe, 2020-2021 Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe vehicles. The passenger seat back heating element was not installed and may impact the calibration of the Occupant Classification System.
Safety 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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.