RoadVitals

2008 Porsche Cayenne

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
27
Latest Oct 14, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Aug 30, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne, most frequently naming the electrical, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 395 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical718.9%
  • Powertrain (other)616.2%
  • Engine616.2%
  • Fuel system410.8%
  • Visibility38.1%
  • Tires & wheels25.4%
  • Suspension25.4%
  • Exterior lighting25.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V656000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 30, 2022
222,858 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.Manufacturer number ANB4View on NHTSA.gov
19V446000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Jun 12, 2019
99,665 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.Manufacturer number AKB1View on NHTSA.gov
08V076000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Feb 20, 2008
5,573 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: 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.
PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number A803View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 27
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 14, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11693403
Incident
Oct 14, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 6, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11496258
Incident
Aug 6, 2009
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 17, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11452597
Incident
Jan 17, 2022
Mileage
101,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 20, 2020

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 REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THIS OCCURRENCE WAS THE FIRST TIME OPERATING THE VEHICLE AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT SERVICE. (3) OPERATING THE VEHICLE WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE CUTOFF AND I WAS STALLED FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE BLOCKING TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE REMAINING 2 MILES HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. ALL 3 OCCURENCES INVOLVED ABRUPT ENGINE CUTOFF AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE PORSCHE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP IS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE ISSUE. THE RISK EXPOSURE TO ACCIDENT IS HIGH WHEN ENGINE CUTOFF OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
11384227
Incident
Aug 9, 2020
Mileage
119,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11365216
Incident
Oct 19, 2020
Mileage
128,800 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11363504
Incident
Oct 6, 2020
Mileage
80,437 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 3, 2020

ENGINE ROUGH IDLING WHICH DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE

NHTSA ID
11353049
Incident
Jun 28, 2020
Mileage
89,500 mi
Body & structureElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Aug 20, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11350359
Incident
Jul 8, 2020

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSTR 2642

Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.300.000

SPTL 2607a

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

SPTL 2607

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

13/26

ENGINE

Allocation of Approved Engine Oils MY 2027 (13/26)

TSTR 2641

PiUS Update Information Software Version: 3.2

TSTR 2641

PiUS Update Information Software Version: 3.2

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Porsche Cayenne by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026310—
2025520—
2024540—
2023510—
2022320—
2021185052.2
2020234062.9
2019416059.1
2018131144.2
2017162160.7
2016382154.7
2015132141.2
2014533045.4
2013403048.6
2012274046.3
2011303044.0
2010120—
2009152050.8
2008Viewing273044.5
2007000—
2006413158.8
2005324258.3
2004386258.7
2003222—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.