Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Porsche Cayenne, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 31% |
| Power train | 7 | 17% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 5% |
| Tires | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 com
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 engi
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The contact owns a 2008 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started wobbling with a loud sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to t
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2008 Porsche Cayenne. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, he smelled a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that others had also informed him that the vehicle had
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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 W
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S REAR WHEEL WELL. A RECALL EXISTS FOR 03-06 MODELS, BUT MY 08 IS SUFFERING THE FROM THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 V
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 Augus
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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
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
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 cust
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 36 | below average |
| Depreciation | 40 | below average |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 13 of them (31%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 59/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.