Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 Porsche Macan S
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
330.0%
Median failure at 67,300 miles
Body & Structure
220.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 17,000 mi
Airbags
220.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 39,500 mi
Lights
110.0%
Electrical System
110.0%
Median failure at 70,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 6,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
337.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
112.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
450.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2016peak 3Aug 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 Porsche Macan S
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2015 Porsche Macan S
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20172418,346 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, fine hairline cracks could appear after an extended period of use on the filter flange of the fuel pump. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a fire, increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel filter flange if cracks are found. If no cracks are found, a film will be affixed to the filter flange to protect it.
Recall 20171073,047 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupancy detection mat conductive fabric may fracture over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the passenger airbag OFF lamp. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the occupant seat occupancy detection mat with a new improved mat.
Recall 20155143,490 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, a defect in the fuel low pressure line could result in a fuel smell and/or fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will install an improved fuel low pressure fuel line.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 6,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHEN DESCENDING THROUGH A MULTI-FLOOR PARKING GARAGE AT NORMAL SLOW SPEED. IT APPEARED TO BE UNINTENDED/UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, CAUSING THE WALL PANEL TO COME APART FROM THE STRUCTURE AND CAUSING VERY EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, WHICH PROTECTED THE DRIVER FROM SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10839950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHEN DESCENDING THROUGH A MULTI-FLOOR PARKING GARAGE AT NORMAL SLOW SPEED. IT APPEARED TO BE UNINTENDED/UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, CAUSING THE WALL PANEL TO COME APART FROM THE STRUCTURE AND CAUSING VERY EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, WHICH PROTECTED THE DRIVER FROM SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10839950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHEN DESCENDING THROUGH A MULTI-FLOOR PARKING GARAGE AT NORMAL SLOW SPEED. IT APPEARED TO BE UNINTENDED/UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, CAUSING THE WALL PANEL TO COME APART FROM THE STRUCTURE AND CAUSING VERY EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, WHICH PROTECTED THE DRIVER FROM SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10839950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Porsche Macan S. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 69,800. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11682888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,600 milesBerkeley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Porsche Macan S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The contact stated that the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with hydraulic brake fluid line failure. The contact was informed that the hydraulic brake fluid line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,600.
NHTSA complaint #11608091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Hollywood, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2015 Porsche Macan S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called various local dealers who confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11492921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesMalta, NY
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Porsche Macan S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V131000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. The VIN was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11439965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesRidgewood, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
MY WIFE RECENTLY HAD A VERY TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING HOME IN OUR 2015 MACAN S THIS PAST WEEKEND. AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS, SHE WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE BRAKES FAILED ON OUR MACAN. THERE WAS NO PRESSURE IN THE BRAKE LINES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO JUST SLOW DOWN, NOT EVEN STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS THAT CAME ON BEFORE THIS ISSUE HAPPENED. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ALONE IN THE CAR WITH NO ONE ON THE ROAD AND ONLY TRAVELING ON LOCAL ROADS, GOING AROUND 25 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IF SHE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT SITUATION ESPECIALLY IF OUR 3YR OLD WAS IN THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL PORSCHE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM REVIEW WHAT CAUSED THIS FAILURE AS THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE. AFTER THE TECHNICIAN REVIEWED THE CAR, THEY SENT ME A VIDEO SHOWING THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS BEING PINCHED OR SOMEHOW RUBBING AGAINST WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE BOLT HOLDING THE FRONT PASSENGER SHOCK. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE A CLIP HAD POPPED CAUSING THE HOSE TO COME LOOSE BUT I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE IS NO CLIP HOLDING THE LINE IN PLACE. THE LINE LOOKS TAUGHT ENOUGH WHERE IT SHOULD NOT RUB AGAINST ANYTHING BUT HAS ENOUGH SLACK TO ALLOW THE WHEEL TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. IF THIS IS TRUE, HOW COULD THE LINE HAVE BEEN PINCHED OR IS THIS A VERY SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS THE BRAKE LINE TO RUB AND WEAR AGAINST THE SHOCK BOLT? OR IS THE ISSUE SIMPLY A FAULTY BRAKE LINE WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO AN ALMOST 4YR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES. I'VE ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PORSCHE USA ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11203676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
White Plains, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
I OWN A 2015 PORSCHE MACAN S. ON 20TH JANUARY 2019, TO MY SHOCK MY CAR'S BRAKES FAILED DURING MY DRIVE FROM NY TO NJ. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ON THE CONSOLE BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTED SLIDING TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. I WAS REALLY LUCKY THAT THIS HAPPENED JUST AFTER I HAD GOTTEN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD PULLED UP INTO A MALL PARKING LOT. PORSCHE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE SERVICE TEAM FOUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKE LINING HAD SLIT. IN SEPTEMBER 2019, PORSCHE SERVICE IN LARCHMONT HAD PERFORMED BRAKE FLUID FLUSH AND REPLACEMENT, AND ALSO REPLACED BRAKE DISC, BRAKE PAD AND ROTORS. THE PORSCHE SERVICE TEAM IN NJ WHILE NOT YET CERTAIN BELIEVES THE PREVIOUS SERVICE WORK MIGHT HAVE BEEN NEGLIGENT/FAULTY THAT LED TO SUCH A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES. I HAVE WRITTEN TO PORSCHE USA AND GERMANY AND YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM ON THEIR PLAN OF ACTION FOR INVESTIGATION, AND CORRECTIVE ACTION. I HOPE THERE IS SOME IMMEDIATE ACTION TAKEN TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN OTHER PORSCHE CARS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY OTHER PORSCHE DRIVERS DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH SUCH A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE.
NHTSA complaint #11171689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesStamford, CT
STRUCTURE:BODY
A LEAKING SUNROOF CAUSED WATER TO ENTER AND SOAK THE CARPET IN THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER AREA. THE DEALER BELIEVES THIS IS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE DRAIN LINES THAT RUN FROM THE SUNROOF.
NHTSA complaint #11132346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHEN DESCENDING THROUGH A MULTI-FLOOR PARKING GARAGE AT NORMAL SLOW SPEED. IT APPEARED TO BE UNINTENDED/UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, CAUSING THE WALL PANEL TO COME APART FROM THE STRUCTURE AND CAUSING VERY EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, WHICH PROTECTED THE DRIVER FROM SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10839950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHEN DESCENDING THROUGH A MULTI-FLOOR PARKING GARAGE AT NORMAL SLOW SPEED. IT APPEARED TO BE UNINTENDED/UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, CAUSING THE WALL PANEL TO COME APART FROM THE STRUCTURE AND CAUSING VERY EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, WHICH PROTECTED THE DRIVER FROM SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10839950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHEN DESCENDING THROUGH A MULTI-FLOOR PARKING GARAGE AT NORMAL SLOW SPEED. IT APPEARED TO BE UNINTENDED/UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, CAUSING THE WALL PANEL TO COME APART FROM THE STRUCTURE AND CAUSING VERY EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, WHICH PROTECTED THE DRIVER FROM SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10839950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.