Porsche Cayenne (958) buying guide

The 958.1 Turbo has a 4.8L twin-turbo V8 making 500 hp. The facelift for 2015 raised that to 520 hp and added LED headlights, updated infotainment, revised bodywork and active cooling flaps. The S and GTS moved to a 3.6L twin-turbo V6 at the same time, while the Turbo and Turbo S kept the V8. We track four versions: the 958 Turbo, the facelift Turbo, the Turbo S and the facelift Turbo S.

The Turbo S tops the range at 550 to 570 hp, depending on the year. Stuttcars quotes the 2016 car at 570 hp and 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, with ceramic brakes and PDCC. Both Turbos come with air suspension, PASM and torque vectoring as standard, plus heated front and rear seats.

Carsniffer lists PDCC as an option that cuts body roll dramatically. Autocar recommends air suspension for the way it tightens the car up in corners, and both Turbos already have it.

A 2011 Turbo is the one to check hardest, because the cam bolt recall and the oil separator campaign both apply to it (details below). The hybrid 958s are another matter: pcarwise.com calls them a significant financial risk used and advises avoiding them.

The V8 and the drivetrain carry the serious risks.

Cam adjuster bolt failure

Early 2011 V8s used aluminum Variocam adjuster bolts that can shear, stalling the engine and removing brake assist. In the worst case the answer is a new engine. Porsche recalled 2011 Cayenne S and Turbo models to fit steel bolts.

Oil separator on 2011 Turbos

A defective air oil separator made 2011 Turbos burn excessive oil. Workshop Campaign WC-55 applies to cars under 70,000 miles.

Coolant pipe leaks

Coolant crossover pipe joints on the 4.8L V8 can separate, letting coolant migrate and possibly enter the oil. ForPorsche adds that the coolant bridge is prone to failure too, and that the thermostat housing was redesigned after 2014, so older cars should get the new part.

Timing chain tensioners

Four timing chains drive the V8, and their tensioners can lose pressure. A cold-start rattle is the early warning, typically at 80,000 to 120,000 miles according to CarScout.

Transfer case failure

Gasoline cars can lose the transfer case, in some cases by 15,000 miles, and it shows as lurching under acceleration in 2nd or 3rd gear plus uneven tire wear. Moisture pulled in through a low-routed vent hose corrodes the clutch packs. Hybrid and diesel Cayennes use a different unit that appears unaffected.

Grille shutter actuators

On the 958.2 the active grille shutter actuators can fail. Expect a check engine light and cooling fans that run after shutdown.

Electrics and infotainment

A failing PCM 3.1 hard drive gives a reboot loop, black screen or frozen navigation. Bose amplifiers are reported to fail with a muffled popping at startup, and driver door actuators tend to break.

CarScout puts transfer case replacement at $4,500 to $6,300 at an independent shop, while Carsniffer quotes about $4,000 at a Porsche dealer outside warranty. For the V8, CarScout gives $5,500 to $10,000 for a timing chain job and $1,500 to $3,500 for a coolant crossover pipe repair at independents.

Independent specialists can typically save 20% against dealer service, per pcarwise.com. Our Cayenne price guide covers what to pay.

Buy a 958.2 Turbo or Turbo S with service records that cover the transfer case. The cam bolt recall and oil separator campaign were filed for 2011 cars, and the 958.2 also has the later thermostat housing and 520 hp or more. If you take a 2011 Turbo, insist on proof of both.

Skip any car with no transfer case history or with signs of a coolant leak, since the chain, transfer case and crossover pipe repairs quoted above could all land on one V8 Turbo. Start with used Cayennes for sale and ask each seller what has already been replaced.