Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Porsche Cayenne problems
Owners filed 42 complaints about the 2008 Porsche Cayenne with NHTSA between Dec 2009 and Oct 2025. The most-cited component is engine (17).
Complaints
42
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine17
- Power train9
- Electrical system7
- Fuel/propulsion system5
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Suspension2
- Tires2
- Visibility2
- Exterior lighting2
- Structure1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
2
0
1
4
6
2
3
4
7
2
6
0
2
1
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
Power train
9 reports1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
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.”
Fuel/propulsion system
5 reports
“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…”
Fuel system, gasoline
2 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS. The contact stated there was a delay when starting the vehicle however, immediately afterward there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V576000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact was able to confirm the Part Number: (955/620/931/01/M82) for the in-tank fuel pump, and Part Number: 95562093201M2 fuel pump parts matched the part number for the parts installed in the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.”
Suspension
2 reports
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.