Most common 2008 Porsche Cayenne S problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Porsche Cayenne S complaints by model year
Best Cayenne S years: 2003, 2008. Years to avoid: 2004, 2011. Compare all years →
2008 Porsche Cayenne S recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
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.
What 2008 Porsche Cayenne S owners say
Engine & cooling
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 part that has the pipe threaded in instead of glued. Porsche should recall this and pay for the repair. This is an obvious design flaw and safety issue. Imagine 8 gallons of hot coolant discharging all over, say a motorcyclist going 70 MPH. This issue was noticed while doing other coolant system maintenance that was also necessitated by poor design of the vehicle.
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 manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
2008 Porsche Cayenne S engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Cayenne S rates average: 38% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cayenne S at the same age. It is one of the best Cayenne S years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S?
The engine & cooling — 4 complaints, 80% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (1) and fuel & propulsion system (1).
How many recalls does the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S have?
There is 1 recall for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S, the most recent from August 30, 2022 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Porsche Cayenne S?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004 and 2011. See the full Porsche Cayenne S years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Porsche Cayenne S problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 111,000 miles; 20% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.