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2008 Porsche Cayenne SProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S, most often about the engine. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 22V-656 the manufacturer reports only 30% of affected cars repaired.

2008 Porsche Cayenne S
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 30%Owner complaints50 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage116kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 30, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S has problems

5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine40
Fuel/propulsion system10
Power train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2008 Porsche Cayenne S recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

30%repaired · 2024 Q3

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 22V-656 · Aug 30, 2022 · 222,858 vehicles · 67,551 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Porsche.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other Cayenne S year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cayenne S median. How we score

'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'11'12'13'14'15'19'20'21'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Cayenne S owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL, HIGH PRESSURE, AND PRESSURE PUMPS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR…
Complaint 11129569 · Sep 14, 2018 · 120,000 miles
COOLANT DISTRIBUTOR BOLTED TO THE BACK OF ENGINE BLOCK HAS A GLUED -IN PIPE THAT CONNECTS TO A HOSE. THE GLUED-IN PIPE IS LEAKING AND HALF WAY PUSHED OUT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE IMMINENT FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD HAVE CAUSED IMMEDIATE OVERHEAT AND FIRE DUE TO CATASTROPHIC COOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE.…
Complaint 11064243 · Jan 22, 2018 · 129,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ACCELERATING AS I WAS MERGING INTO THE HIGHWAY. I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK. CHECK COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I STOPPED I SAW COOLANT EVERYWHERE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE GLUE FROM THE COOLANT TUBES FAILED AND NEEDS TO INSTALL NEW COOLANT…
Complaint 10917294 · Oct 19, 2016 · 98,000 miles

Own a 2008 Cayenne S?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.