Owners have filed 38 complaints
about the 2008 Porsche Cayenne with NHTSA between 2010 and 2025.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 18 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 51
Against the median year of the Porsche Cayenne. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 37
22% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2008 compares with every other Porsche Cayenne
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Porsche Cayenne
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
718.4%
Median failure at 55,300 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
615.8%
Median failure at 68,140 miles
Engine & Cooling
615.8%
Median failure at 86,750 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
410.5%
Median failure at 110,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
37.9%
Median failure at 65,000 miles
Tires
25.3%
Median failure at 54,767 miles
Lights
25.3%
Median failure at 33,695 miles
Suspension
25.3%
Median failure at 104,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
12.6%
Median failure at 51,871 miles
Stability & Traction Control
12.6%
Median failure at 84,000 miles
Seats
12.6%
Body & Structure
12.6%
Brakes
12.6%
Steering
12.6%
Median failure at 55,300 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
26.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
13.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
39.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
13.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1134.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
618.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
721.9%
150,000+ miles
13.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2010peak 5Oct 2025
Recalls on the 2008 Porsche Cayenne
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202248758,856 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain vehicles, covers were not installed over the horizontal headlamp adjusters. As a result, the headlamps may be adjusted horizontally. Canadian regulations do not allow for horizontal headlamp adjustment unless the vehicle is equipped with a built-in aiming device. Safety Risk: Headlamps that are not properly adjusted could cause reduced visibility or glare for oncoming drivers, and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Porsche will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to install caps over the headlamp adjustment screws.
Recall 20192908,742 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission shifter could detach from the transmission. This could cause the transmission not to shift gears when the shifter is moved. As a result, the transmission could be in a different gear than the gear shifter indicates. If a driver attempts to exit the vehicle while the transmission is not in Park, and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle could move suddenly. Safety Risk: Sudden and unexpected movement of the vehicle could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Porsche will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the shifter cable bushing. Owners are reminded to use the parking brake anytime the vehicle is parked.
Recall 201919233,832 units in Canada
Label
Issue: Certain wheels were made without a marking that is required by Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: This small error does not affect safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has made changes to include the required marking on all new parts.
Recall 2008055392 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles equipped with a V6 engine, a fuel line in the plenum area may contact the rear engine compartment cover. Overtime, relative movement of the involved components can cause chaffing damaged, which may result in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire, causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and reroute the fuel line. Should the fuel line exhibit damage, it would be replaced.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Hollywood, CA
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #11693403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesNewport Beach, CA
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #11496258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesBakersfield, CA
FUEL 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.
NHTSA complaint #11452597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesManhattan Beach, CA
FUEL/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 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 complaint #11384227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,800 milesBelton, TX
FUEL/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.
NHTSA complaint #11365216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,437 milesDallas, TX
ENGINE
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 complaint #11363504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,500 milesNorthbrook, IL
ENGINE
ENGINE ROUGH IDLING WHICH DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE
NHTSA complaint #11353049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union City, CA
SEATS
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 complaint #11350359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union City, CA
STRUCTURE: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.
NHTSA complaint #11350359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union City, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11350359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesHuntsville, AL
ENGINE
ON THE BACKSIDE OF THIS V8 ENGINE THERE IS A COOLANT DISTRIBUTION TUBE THAT HAS COOLANT BARB PRESSED INTO THE CAST ALUMINUM DISTRIBUTION TUBE WITH ADHESIVE. WHILE DRIVING FROM WOR TO HOME, THE ADHESIVE FAILED 19MAR20 CAUSING THE BARB TO SLIP OUT OF THE TUBE ALLOWING LARGE AMOUNTS OF COOLANT TO GUSH OVER THE HOT EXHAUST AND OUT FROM UNDER THE CAYENNE. THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT RECOGNIZED LOW COOLANT LEVEL THE DASH PANEL FLAGGED "LOW COOLANT" AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER BEFORE OVERHEATING THE ENGINE. FORTUNATELY DUE TO THE TELEWORKING STATUS OF WHERE I WORK THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND THANKFULLY NO MOTORCYCLIST. I WOULD EXPECT MORE A $71,145 VEHICLE FROM PORSCHE EVEN AFTER 12 YEARS AND 140K MI.
NHTSA complaint #11318783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,300 milesSequim, WA
STEERING
PARKED VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF GOT A RED ALERT STEERING FAULTY,EVERYTHING LOCKED UP INCLUDING TRANSMISSION AND WINDOW SWITCHES..HAD TO BE FLAT BEDDED TO A PORSCHE DEALERSHIP TOOK A WEEK FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT,HAD TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN.CONCERN IS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF DRIVING AT THE TIME..GOT NO ANSWER
NHTSA complaint #11209077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,300 milesSequim, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PARKED VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF GOT A RED ALERT STEERING FAULTY,EVERYTHING LOCKED UP INCLUDING TRANSMISSION AND WINDOW SWITCHES..HAD TO BE FLAT BEDDED TO A PORSCHE DEALERSHIP TOOK A WEEK FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT,HAD TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN.CONCERN IS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF DRIVING AT THE TIME..GOT NO ANSWER
NHTSA complaint #11209077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,300 milesSequim, WA
ENGINE
PARKED VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF GOT A RED ALERT STEERING FAULTY,EVERYTHING LOCKED UP INCLUDING TRANSMISSION AND WINDOW SWITCHES..HAD TO BE FLAT BEDDED TO A PORSCHE DEALERSHIP TOOK A WEEK FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT,HAD TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN.CONCERN IS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF DRIVING AT THE TIME..GOT NO ANSWER
NHTSA complaint #11209077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesHouston, TX
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THIS IS A PORSCHE CAYANNE 2008. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. THIS ISSUE CAN HAPPEN IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, STREET OR HIGHWAY DRIVING. IT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE WIPERS CAN STOP OPERATION FOR A VARIABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. AT TIMES I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR TO GET THEM TO WORK AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WILL REMAIN INOPERABLE FROM SECONDS TO 15-20 MINUTES, AND RESTART ON THEIR OWN. AT TIMES IF I AM DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL CUT OFF AND NOT RESTART OR RESTART AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, PREVENTING PROPER VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #11208042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7 milesHialeah, FL
POWER TRAIN
A START IGNITION WON'T START AND I HAVE TO PLUG THE KEY IN ORDER TO STARTED THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11152891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7 milesHialeah, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A START IGNITION WON'T START AND I HAVE TO PLUG THE KEY IN ORDER TO STARTED THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11152891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,140 milesBranford, CT
POWER TRAIN
ENGINE RUNNING INCREASINGLY ROUGH ON ACCELERATION. MECHANIC FOUND DRIVESHAFT FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE AXIAL PLAY FROM CENTER DRIVESHAFT SUPPORT BEARING. DRIVESHAFT REPLACED. MORE THAN 50 SIMILAR FAILURES ARE DOCUMENTED ON GOTACLASSACTION.COM. I'VE ATTACHED COMPLAINT TO PORSCHE, THEIR RESPONSE AND REPAIR INVOICE. *TT*JB CONSUMER STATED PARTS WAS ORDERED.
NHTSA complaint #11122147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesJamaica, NY
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION TANK WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PORSCHE OF SOUTH SHORE (185 W SUNRISE HWY, FREEPORT, NY) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11119534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,534 milesRochester, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR CUT OUT AS I WAS CROSSING A INTERSECTION WHILE IN MOTION LEAVING THE CAR DISABLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, LUCKILY OTHER DRIVERS SAW THE PROBLEM AND WENT AROUND ME. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING THE IGNITION LOCK FAULT. I TURNED IT OFF AND AFTER 2 MINUTES IT RESTARTED. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START, THE IGNITION LOCK FAULT CAME ON, AND THEN ALL OF THE OTHER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND WAS LOCKED IN PARK. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE IN FEB 2017 WHEN A CORRODED WIRES WERE FOUND IN A MAIN BUNDLE OF WIRES IN THE DRIVERS FOOTWELL. THERE WAS NO WATER ON THAT AREA AND NOR HAS THERE BEEN ANY WATER ON THE CAR OR THE FOOTWELL. I HAVE HAD WEATHERTECH MATS IN PLACE HTE WHOLE TIME TO PREVENT THAT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT IT COULD GO DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION NOT JUST A STARTING ISSUE. I HAVE REVIEWED TECHNICAL BULLETIN NHTSA 10056337 WHICH DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY EXPLANATION FOR IMPLYING THAT THE LACK OF FEEDBACK HAS LEAD TO THE FACTORY NOT KNOWING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PORSCHE NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THE IMPROPERLY SPLICED WIRES AND THE BUNDLE NEED TO BE RETROFITTED IN A WAY TO PROTECT THEM FROM ONGOING CORROSION THAT IN MY CASE HAPPENED HAPPENED TWICE THE SECOND TIME ON 6,000 MILES AFTER THE LAST IN A CAR THAT IS KEPT IN A GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #11072224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND VERY LOW MILES (70K+) SINCE I WORK MOSTLY FROM HOME. I SUDDENLY STARTED TO HEAR A BAD NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND COULD FEEL THE CAR SHAKING WHENEVER STARTED TO ACCELERATE. TOOK TO A PORSCHE SPECIALIZED MECHANIC THAT TOLD ME IT IS A RECURRING ISSUE ON THE CAYENNE. LONG STORE SHORT, SPENT TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11048790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesRapid City, SD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAR DROVE WITH VERY LITTLE ABILITY TO SPEED UP. IT SPUTTERS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. IT WON'T START RIGHT AWAY, BUILDING UP FUEL PRESSURE. I WAS DRIVING AND IT JUST BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THE GAS PEDDLE. I SLOWED AND STOPPED, RESTARTED AND JUST HAD A VERY WEAK CAR. IT TAKES SOME TIME TO REACH 50MPH. DANGEROUS IF ON THE HWY.
NHTSA complaint #11004687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,534 milesToms River, NJ
TIRES
ON JUNE 3, 2017, I HAD A WARNING LITE FOR LOW AIR PRESSURE EMIT ON MY DASHBOARD. I PULLED OVER TO THE NEXT SERVICE STATION AND APPLIED AIR TO MY TIRE. ONLY UNTIL THEN DID I NOTICE THE SEVERE CRACKING AND ROTTING OF THESE TIRES THESE TIRES HANKOOK VENTOUS S1 WERE PURCHASED ON APRIL 1, 2016 AND HAVE LESS THAN 10K MILES ON THEM. IN FACT, AFTER FURTHER REVIEW THE DRY ROT AND CRACKING IS EXPERIENCED ON ALL 4 TIRES CAUSING SEVERE SEPARATION OF THE TREAD FROM THE TIRE ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10993665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,340 milesMontclair, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATION DRAIN LINE WAS PLUGGED, WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,340.
NHTSA complaint #10898245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,340 milesMontclair, CA
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATION DRAIN LINE WAS PLUGGED, WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,340.
NHTSA complaint #10898245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.