Air suspension
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Car sits low, compressor runs long
Fix: Replace strut / compressor
€800–2,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Porsche Cayenne (955 / 957)
2002–2010
1
engines covered
5
known faults
6,824
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
7
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Porsche Cayenne (955 / 957) was built from 2002 to 2010.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 5 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Air suspension: it usually appears at 100,000–180,000 km and costs €800–2,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (14.5 %), brakes (5.6 %), tyres and wheels (5.6 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 / 4.8 V8 (Cayenne 955/957/958) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-40 · Porsche A40 · ~9.0–10.0 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Transfer case / propshaft centre bearing
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Vibration, clunk pulling away, 4x4 warning
Fix: Replace bearing / transfer case actuator
€500–2,500
Faults by engine
4.5 / 4.8 V8 (Cayenne 955/957/958)
Plastic coolant pipes (4.5 V8)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Coolant loss from the engine valley
Fix: Replace with aluminium pipes
€1,200–2,500
Driveshaft centre bearing
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Vibration, clunk pulling away
Fix: Replace driveshaft or bearing
€600–1,500
Air suspension
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Car sits low, compressor runs long
Fix: Replace strut / compressor
€800–2,500
Gearboxes
Tiptronic (Aisin / ZF)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 4.5 / 4.8 V8 (Cayenne 955/957/958) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer case / rear differential oilTransmission | every 80,000 km | €60–160 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Automatic transmission fluidTransmission | every 90,000 km | €200–450 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 6,824 tests.
| thousand km | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 4.5 % | 5.6 % | 7.5 % | 8.5 % |
| Suspension | 3.2 % | 3.8 % | 5.5 % | 7.6 % |
| Steering | 0.7 % | 0.9 % | 1.4 % | 2.4 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.8 % | 5.6 % | 6.9 % | 8.2 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 11.6 % | 14.5 % | 16.9 % | 18.9 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.8 % | 2.5 % | 2.8 % | 3.4 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 2.3 % | 3.6 % | 4.9 % | 6.6 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 1,194 cars.
| age (years) | 15–19 | 20+ |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 5.3 % | 6.2 % |
| Suspension | 3.6 % | 4.2 % |
| Steering | 0.5 % | 2.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 12.0 % | 11.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 19.0 % | 17.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.2 % | 0.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 2.8 % | 3.4 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 237 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (7). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Gearbox The selector lever cable plastic sleeve does not have the required durability and may break29/07/2019 · R/2019/204
- Fire risk Fire may occur20/07/2012 · R/2012/082
- Lights Headlight may detach23/02/2012 · R/2012/020
- Fuel system Fuel may leak18/02/2008 · R/2008/029
- Seats Inadequate crash resistance for front left seat frame31/03/2004 · R/2004/051
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The spring of the foot operated handbrake may rub on the main wiring harness31/03/2004 · R/2004/052
- Fuel system Filling the fuel tank may cause an electrostatic charge31/03/2004 · R/2004/050
Common questions
Does the Porsche Cayenne (955 / 957) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
4.5 / 4.8 V8 (Cayenne 955/957/958): chain.
What are the known problems with the Porsche Cayenne (955 / 957)?
The faults with the highest risk: plastic coolant pipes (4.5 V8) (80,000–160,000 km, €1,200–2,500); air suspension (100,000–180,000 km, €800–2,500); transfer case / propshaft centre bearing (100,000–200,000 km, €500–2,500); driveshaft centre bearing (80,000–160,000 km, €600–1,500). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Porsche Cayenne (955 / 957) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (14.5 %), brakes (5.6 %), tyres and wheels (5.6 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used Porsche Cayenne (955 / 957)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (7 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: coolant loss from the engine valley; car sits low, compressor runs long. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Other Porsche models
Porsche 911 (997) 2004–2012Porsche 911 (996) 1997–2005Porsche Boxster / Cayman (986 / 987) 1996–2012Porsche Panamera 2009–
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026