Before you buy a used Porsche Cayenne (955/957).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 3 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- 1 of them depends on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 4 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 3.2 / 3.6 V6 (Petrol), S / Turbo 4.5 / 4.8 V8 (Petrol).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 3 of its engines.
- V8 coolant pipes, air suspension and prop shaft on the Cayenne IKnown weak points
- Period mentioned
- 2002–2010
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.
3.2 / 3.6 V6 · S / Turbo 4.5 / 4.8 V8
Petrol
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
3.0 TDI V6 (desde 2009)
Diesel
- V6 TDI rear chains, intake flaps and leaksTiming / intake / leaks
- Period mentioned
- 2004–2018
- Mileage mentioned
- 100,000–150,000 km
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2 / 3.6 V6PetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 4 |
| S / Turbo 4.5 / 4.8 V8PetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 4 |
| 3.0 TDI V6 (desde 2009)Diesel | 21 with conditions | 3 |
According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 3.2 / 3.6 V6 (Petrol), S / Turbo 4.5 / 4.8 V8 (Petrol).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Petrol.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Porsche dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Insufficiently durable automatic selector sleeve (AKB1)Transmission / controls
Engines: 3.2 / 3.6 V6 (Petrol) · S / Turbo 4.5 / 4.8 V8 (Petrol)
How to check it: Confirm VIN and replace selector cable plastic sleeve.
View full entryPorsche brake recalls (2004–2024)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche fuel-system recalls (2004–2025)Fuel system
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryPorsche body, seat and fitting recalls (2004–2023)Bodywork
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Timing / intake / leaks
Look out for: Chain rattle for the first seconds after a cold start; power loss or limp mode from the intake flaps; coolant or oil loss in the engine V; EGR faults with rough idle.
Ask them to check: Listen to a cold start (a rattle lasting more than 2–3 seconds is a bad sign), check flap operation with a diagnostic tool, look for leaks in the engine V and check the oil change history.
Known weak points
Look out for: Slow coolant loss from the plastic pipes on the 4.5 V8 (up to about 2006), risking the engine and starter; piston slap; coils; timing chain at high mileage (also V6); air suspension that sags or warns; vibration from the prop-shaft centre bearing; handbrake, tailgate struts, battery and sunroof drains.
Ask them to check: Watch the coolant and check whether the aluminium pipes are fitted; test the air suspension and prop shaft; test the battery.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
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