2008 Porsche Cayenne S problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (3) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (1) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-08-30 · campaign 22V656000 · 222,858 vehicles
Defect: 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 Federa
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (375)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 28-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c40 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 27-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c20 engine oils. note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which c20 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 26-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche c30 engine oils. note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which c30 engine oils are allocated.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · No. 25-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manufacturer's certificate for overview of approved porsche a40 engine oils. note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which a40 engine oils are assigned. model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.
Wheels 2026-09-14 · SPTL2609 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
special tools and equipment information for alignment machines - q3 2026 software spec update available
Electrical System 2026-09-01 · No. 12-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical information for damage to nano plug contacts due to utilization of incorrect measuring equipment
Showing the 6 most recent of 375 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-09-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 120,000 mi“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 repaired by a dealer due to the cost. the manufactur…”
2018-01-22 · Engine · 129,000 mi“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. the repair is extremely expensive. porsche has a new…”
2016-10-19 · Engine · 98,000 mi“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 pipes. *tr…”
2016-02-02 · Engine · 111,000 mi“the distributor collector coolant systems including the pipes has failed. however, i have been informed by the porsche corporate office there are no complaints or recalls on file. unfortunately, they were unable to provide the number of complaints for this make/model/year. on the date of the incident i was driving the vehicle and the coolant ligh…”
2010-02-24 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 10,000 mi“on my 2008 porsche cayenne s ( purchased in march 2007) i have at least 3 times experienced a incorrect downshift initiated by the automobile in all cases the car/computer obviously wanted to shift down to a lower gear ( going up a steep hill at highway speed, traversing a steep parking lot at low speed) etc rather than shifting one gear the car …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.