2008 Porsche Cayenne
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 10 of 32 complaints (31%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 1 in 2007 to 32 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 5,150–5,550 | 4,850–5,550 | 4,850–5,950 | 4,850–5,950 | 4,850–5,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–15 | 14–16 | 13–16 | 13–16 | 13–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–14 / 17–19 | 12–14 / 19–20 | 11–14 / 17–20 | 11–14 / 17–20 | 11–14 / 17–20 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 592–635 | 555–635 | 555–684 | 555–684 | 555–684 | |
| Complaints filed | 54 | 1 | 32 | 15 | 1 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Porsche Cayenne have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Porsche Cayenne?
Engine: 10 of 32 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Porsche Cayenne get?
EPA rates it 13–16 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Porsche Cayenne?
EPA estimates $4,850–$5,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $4,850 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $4,850 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 4.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $5,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 4.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 12 mpg | 19 mpg | 14 mpg | $5,550 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 4.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $5,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 4.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 11 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $5,950 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 22V656000 · Aug 31, 2022
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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · Campaign 19V446000 · Jun 12, 2019
Defect: 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: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 08V076000 · Feb 20, 2008
Defect: 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: 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.