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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2008 Porsche CayenneRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne. Most complaints involve engine (17) and power train (9). The EPA rates it 13–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
13–16mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
42
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$5,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 30, 2022NHTSA 22V656000

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jun 12, 2019NHTSA 19V446000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 20, 2008NHTSA 08V076000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

42 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – Oct 2025
  1. Engine17
  2. Power train9
  3. Electrical system7
  4. Fuel/propulsion system5
  5. Fuel system, gasoline2
  6. Suspension2
  7. Tires2
  8. Visibility2
  9. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cayenne model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004101
200542
200655
200842
200915
20101
201162
201236
201340
201453
201640
201718
201813
201947
202024
202121
20224
20235
20245
20265
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

17 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2020EngineODI 11363504

Power train

9 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2025Power trainODI 11693403

Electrical system

7 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2020Electrical system, Structure, SeatsODI 11350359
All 2008 Cayenne problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 4.8L 8-cyl · 4.8L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cayenne
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$5,000555
Cayenne
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$5,000555
Cayenne GTS
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$5,300592
Cayenne S
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131915$5,300592
Cayenne Turbo
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121914$5,700635
Cayenne GTS
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111713$6,150684
  • Cayenne
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne GTS
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne S
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne Turbo
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L, Turbo
    12 city · 19 hwy · $5,700/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Cayenne GTS
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L
    11 city · 17 hwy · $6,150/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2690
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Cayenne questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Porsche Cayenne have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Porsche Cayenne problems?

Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (17), power train (9), electrical system (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Porsche Cayenne get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Porsche Cayenne at 13–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026