The 2008 Porsche Cayenne has 3 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (7 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints27filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 22V656000 · Aug 30, 2022 · 222,858 vehicles
Problem: 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 cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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 customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
NHTSA recall 19V446000 · Jun 12, 2019 · 99,665 vehicles
Problem: 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 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
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 August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 08V076000 · Feb 20, 2008 · 5,573 vehicles
Problem: PORSCHE IS RECALLING 5,573 MY 2008 CAYENNE V6 VEHICLES. A FUEL LINE IN THE PLENUM PANEL AREA MAY CONTACT THE REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER. RELATIVE MOVEMENTS OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING MAY CAUSE KNOCKING NOISES AND CHAFING ON THE FUEL LINE. A FUEL LEAK MAY DEVELOP.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE FUEL LINE AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SPACER RING FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2008 Porsche Cayenne 4-DR w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Cayenne
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
Cayenne
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system
7
0
0
0
55,300 mi
Power train Driveline › Driveshaft
6
0
0
0
68,140 mi
Engine
6
0
0
0
86,750 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
3
0
0
0
119,000 mi
Tires Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
2
0
0
0
—
Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
2
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
2
0
0
0
—
Suspension
2
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 14, 2025Power train The contact owns a 2008 Porsche Cayenne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V446000 (Power Train) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer previously completed the recall remedy. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was sent confirmation of the VIN being clear of recalls. In addition, the contact stated that the VINTool shows 1 recall associated with the VIN however, per the NHTSA VIN Tool shows no recalls associated with the VIN.
Aug 6, 2009 · 150,000 milesPower train › Driveline › Driveshaft The contact owns a 2008 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started wobbling with a loud sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred several times. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was already repaired under warranty. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Jan 17, 2022 · 101,000 milesFuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly The contact owns a 2008 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, he smelled a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that others had also informed him that the vehicle had a strong gasoline odor. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was coming from the rear passenger's side and rear driver's side seats. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via email. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
Aug 9, 2020 · 119,000 milesFuel/propulsion system ENGINE HAS CUTOFF ON 3 OCCURRENCES: (1) OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER. I WAS ABLE TO MANUEVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER WHILE COASTING WITHOUT ENGINE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE BUT IT CUTOFF A FEW SECONDS AFTER. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT PORSCHE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. (2) THE ENGINE CUTOFF WHILE OPERATING ON CITY STREET AT 40 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO MANUEVER THE VEHICLE WHILE COASTING WITHOUT POWER OR POWER STEERING INTO A PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE WOULD START BUT CUTOFF A FEW SECONDS LATER ON MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT PORSCHE…
Oct 19, 2020 · 128,800 milesFuel/propulsion system THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S REAR WHEEL WELL. A RECALL EXISTS FOR 03-06 MODELS, BUT MY 08 IS SUFFERING THE FROM THE SAME ISSUE.
Oct 6, 2020 · 80,437 milesEngine COOLANT DISTRIBUTOR BARB CAME UNGLUED CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT ON HIGHWAY. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND PORSCHE HAS UPDATED THE PART HOWEVER WILL NOT WARRANTY THE DEFECTIVE PARTS STILL ON VEHICLES.
Jun 28, 2020 · 89,500 milesEngine ENGINE ROUGH IDLING WHICH DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE
Jul 8, 2020Structure › Body PORSCHE CAYENNE HAVE WATER DRAIN DESIGN ISSUE. WHEN RAINING OR WASH THE CAR, THE WATER DRAIN CLOG WILL MAKE WATER FLOOD THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLES, AND DAMAGE THE WIRES UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, PORSCHE KNOW THIS, BUT NOT FIX IT.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.