Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
125–50K
850–75K
475–100K
7100–150K
1150K+
24 reports with mileage · 3 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
27 reports
51,871 miles · May 19, 2015
Unknown Or Other
I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT TO YOUR AGENCY AND URGING YOU TO INVESTIGATE 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNES THE SAFETY QUALITY OF CARDAN DRIVE SHAFT. ON MAY 9, 2015, IN THE EVENING, I WAS DRIVING MY CAYENNE HEADING HOME AT THE SPEED OF LESS THAN 55 MILES PER HOUR AS I JUST GOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS AN EXPLOSION FROM…
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I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT TO YOUR AGENCY AND URGING YOU TO INVESTIGATE 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNES THE SAFETY QUALITY OF CARDAN DRIVE SHAFT. ON MAY 9, 2015, IN THE EVENING, I WAS DRIVING MY CAYENNE HEADING HOME AT THE SPEED OF LESS THAN 55 MILES PER HOUR AS I JUST GOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS AN EXPLOSION FROM THE UNDERNEATH OF MY CAR. THEN, I HEARD THE METAL GRINDING NOISE. I WAS SO SCARED. I DIDNT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING FINE, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE DASHBOARD THAT MY CAR WAS IN TROUBLE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, SO I REDUCED MY SPEED TO LESS THAN 30 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOT OFF THE NEXT EXIT. I STOPPED BY AT THE NEAREST GAS STATION. I WAS CHECKING THE UNDERNEATH OF MY SUV. I THOUGHT PERHAPS, THE MUFFLER WAS FALLING OFF. WELL, NOTHING WAS FALLING OFF MY CAR. SO, I DROVE IT VERY SLOWLY TO HOME BECAUSE AS THE CAR CLIMBING THE HILL, THE METAL GRINDING NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER. NEXT DAY, I HAD AN AUTO MECHANIC TO CHECK MY CAR, AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE CENTER BEARING TO THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS LOOSENING. HE TOLD ME THAT I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IN ANY MINUTE THE BEARING COULD BE SNAPPED. HE ADVISED ME TO TOW MY CAR TO A PORSCHE DEALER'S SERVICES SHOP. AND, I DID IT. AT A PORSCHE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CARDAN DRIVE SHAFT WAS BROKEN. I COULDNT BELIEVE THAT MY CAR ONLY HAD 51,871 MILES, AND THE CENTER BEARING WAS BROKEN ON THE HIGHWAY SUDDENLY. PER INTERNET RESEARCH, THE AVERAGE DRIVE SHIFT COULD BE LAST FOR 160,000 MILES. I REALLY DIDNT EXPECT THIS KIND OF POOR SAFETY QUALITY FROM A PORSCHE CAYENNE. IF YOU SEARCH THE CENTER BEARING ISSUE OF PORSCHE CAYENNE ON THE INTERNET, YOU CAN FIND A LOT OF SIMILAR STORIES POSTED ONLINE. PORSCHE CAYENNE HAS A POWERFUL ENGINE. HOWEVER, FROM MY INCIDENT, I BELIEVE THE CENTER BEARING IS THE WEAKEST LINK OF THE SUV.
NHTSA ODI #10717427
102,000 miles · May 14, 2014
Engine
WE FOUND A HUGE LEAK IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED, A PORSHE TECHNICIAN IDENTIFIED THAT ON THE COOLANT DISTRIBUTOR BEHIND THE ENGINE THERE IS A COUPLER WHICH WAS GLUED ONTO THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE GLUE DETACHED AND THE COOLANT PIPE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO LOSE COOLANT. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A PURE DES…
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WE FOUND A HUGE LEAK IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED, A PORSHE TECHNICIAN IDENTIFIED THAT ON THE COOLANT DISTRIBUTOR BEHIND THE ENGINE THERE IS A COUPLER WHICH WAS GLUED ONTO THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE GLUE DETACHED AND THE COOLANT PIPE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO LOSE COOLANT. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A PURE DESIGN ISSUE AND PORSCHE DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON IT. IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX THAT PROBLEM DUE TO BAD DESIGN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588252
55,000 miles · Apr 30, 2014
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PORSCE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BECAME DETACHED APPROXIMATELY SIX TO EIGHT INCHES FROM THE LIGHT SOCKET. THE HEADLIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PORSCE CAYENNE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BECAME DETACHED APPROXIMATELY SIX TO EIGHT INCHES FROM THE LIGHT SOCKET. THE HEADLIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10585641
12,391 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility
HAVE EXPERIENCED ONGOING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MIRROR PROBLEMS, WITH MY 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE, WHERE THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WHILE DRIVING AND PARKING. FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MIRROR PROBLEM ON (3/23/09) AT 12,391 MILES, AS THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO SAME DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT (INSKIP PENSKE …
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HAVE EXPERIENCED ONGOING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MIRROR PROBLEMS, WITH MY 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE, WHERE THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WHILE DRIVING AND PARKING. FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MIRROR PROBLEM ON (3/23/09) AT 12,391 MILES, AS THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO SAME DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT (INSKIP PENSKE PORSCHE IN WARWICK, RI (12) SEPARATE TIMES FOR UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR. THE REPAIR INVOICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING VISITS: 3-23-09 = 12,391 / 3-31-09 = 12,592 / 4-2-09 = 12,992 / 9-13-10 = 25,668 / 9-28-2010 = 26,186 / 12-16-10 = 28,179 / 8-24-11 = 38,186 / 9-13-11 = 38,664 / 9-30-11 = 39,249 / 12-19-12 = 47,715 / 1-24-13 = 47,973 / 3-7-13 = 48,199. PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW ON (2/4/08) WITH ONLY 24 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. COMPUTER CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED AT LEAST 10 SEPARATE TIMES, AS THIS CAR MAY HAVE HAD SOFTWARE VIRUS & OR AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS NOT TO NOT KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY PROGRAM THIS CAR, AS THEY CLAIMED THAT THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP ON (3/7/13) AFTER BEING IN THEIR SHOP FOR 37 DAYS SINCE THE 11TH VISIT BEGINNING ON (1/24/13). LESS THAN 12 MILES LATER, I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE 12TH TIME ON (3/7/13), BECAUSE THE SPARE KEY WHICH THEY HAD PROGRAMMED WE SUSPECT MAY HAVE HAD OLD SOFTWARE WHICH CORRUPTED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM AGAIN CAUSED THE MIRRORS TO MOVE IN ALL KIND OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, THUS CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING OR OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY ORDERED ANOTHER COMPUTER REPLACEMENT & 2 NEW KEYS WHICH THEY PROGRAMMED SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS. PRIOR TO THIS 12TH REPAIR, I CAME CLOSE TO BEING INVOLVED IN AT LEAST 4 NEAR MIS ACCIDENTS, AS CARS WERE NOT VISIBLE IN MY BLIND SPOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE MIRRORS MOVE ON THEIR OWN. HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO ARBITRATIONS. UPDATED 03/15/13*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10502550
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2013
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
S10 DIRECT REPLY LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM REGARDING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED HE FILED TWO SEPARATE ARBITRATION AGAINST THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE FIRST ARBITRATION CASE …
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S10 DIRECT REPLY LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM REGARDING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED HE FILED TWO SEPARATE ARBITRATION AGAINST THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE FIRST ARBITRATION CASE WAS SETTLED IN 2009, WITH THE EXPECTATION ALL OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, CURRENT, PAST AND PRESENT WOULD BE PROPERLY IDENTIFIED AND RESOLVED. SINCE THE INITIAL ARBITRATION CASE, THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER 11 TIMES FOR THE SAME ELECTRICAL/SOFTWARE PROBLEM. THE ON-GOING PROBLEM UNCONTROLLABLY AFFECTED THE PROPER POSITIONING OF THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS AND THE OVERALL SAFETY ASPECT WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ONBOARD COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE SEVEN TIMES, AS THEIR FIELD TECHNICAL EXPERT SUSPECTED THERE WAS AN UNIDENTIFIABLE ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE OR A COMPUTER RELATED SOFTWARE VIRUS SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE DEALER HAD NO IDEA HOW TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10501801
30,000 miles · Sep 13, 2012
Power Train
WITHIN MINUTES OF DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL, I HEARD A GRINDING SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAYENNE, THEN A SQUEALING, AND THE CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY DURING ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AND WAS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE I WAS CROSSING A BRIDGE IN MORNING TRAFFIC. THE SERVICE MAN AT THE PORSCHE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT T…
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WITHIN MINUTES OF DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL, I HEARD A GRINDING SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAYENNE, THEN A SQUEALING, AND THE CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY DURING ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AND WAS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE I WAS CROSSING A BRIDGE IN MORNING TRAFFIC. THE SERVICE MAN AT THE PORSCHE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THAT MY DRIVE SHAFT HAD COME APART. I AM A VERY CAREFUL DRIVER AND MY CAR HAS LOW MILES. I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF HOW QUICKLY THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475265
4,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH A FALSE LOW PRESSURE ALERT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND FOUR WHEEL SENSORS WERE REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH A FALSE LOW PRESSURE ALERT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND FOUR WHEEL SENSORS WERE REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE STICKER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE TIRE PRESSURE SETTING SHOULD BE IGNORED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 12/20/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TPMS HAS NEVER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. ON MANY OCCASIONS, BUT ONLY DURING HOT WEATHER, IT ISSUED FALSE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNINGS ON THE DASH. UPDATED 12/27/10
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
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. (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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2008 Porsche Cayenne Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year