Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2012 Porsche Panamera with NHTSA between 2011 and 2024.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 33
Against the median year of the Porsche Panamera. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 32
6.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2012 compares with every other Porsche Panamera
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 Porsche Panamera
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
531.3%
Median failure at 79,280 miles
Body & Structure
212.5%
Median failure at 50 miles
Electrical System
212.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 89,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
212.5%
Median failure at 73,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.3%
Median failure at 121,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
16.3%
Lights
16.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.3%
Steering
16.3%
Median failure at 16,670 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
116.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
116.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
116.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
233.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
116.7%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2012 Porsche Panamera 5 HB RWD
—
—
—
—
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.
Nov 2011peak 3Sep 2024
Recalls on the 2012 Porsche Panamera
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 202630115,515 units in Canada
Other
Issue: On certain vehicles, the immobilizer system may not meet certain requirements of Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: This small error does not affect safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. Porsche has made changes to ensure that all new vehicles meet Canadian regulations.
Recall 202248758,856 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain vehicles, covers were not installed over the horizontal headlamp adjusters. As a result, the headlamps may be adjusted horizontally. Canadian regulations do not allow for horizontal headlamp adjustment unless the vehicle is equipped with a built-in aiming device. Safety Risk: Headlamps that are not properly adjusted could cause reduced visibility or glare for oncoming drivers, and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Porsche will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to install caps over the headlamp adjustment screws.
Recall 20192908,742 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission shifter could detach from the transmission. This could cause the transmission not to shift gears when the shifter is moved. As a result, the transmission could be in a different gear than the gear shifter indicates. If a driver attempts to exit the vehicle while the transmission is not in Park, and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle could move suddenly. Safety Risk: Sudden and unexpected movement of the vehicle could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Porsche will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the shifter cable bushing. Owners are reminded to use the parking brake anytime the vehicle is parked.
Recall 20192002,236 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: On certain cars, water could leak into the air conditioning blower control unit. Over time, this could cause a short circuit that could cause it to melt or burn. This could happen while driving or after the vehicle is parked and shut off. Safety Risk: A short circuit in the blower control unit could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Porsche will notify owners by mail and advise them what to do. When a remedy is available, owners will be requested to bring their car to a dealership for repair. Owners are advised to park their car outdoors until the recall repairs have been completed.
Recall 20172961,823 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, the fasteners of the camshaft adjusters could fail due to an assembly problem. If this occurs, this could cause abnormal engine noises, vibrations, illumination of the check engine light and could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the fastening screws of the camshaft adjusters and if necessary, replace the camshaft adjuster assemblies.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 89,000 milesMadison, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND YELLOW SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER GLOVEBOX ON PASSENGER SIDE FOLLOWED BY FIRE FLAMES BETWEEN DASH AND WINDOW. AND UNDER GLOVE BOX MELTING ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER GLOVE BOX AREA ABS FLOOR. FORE REIGNITED AFTER BEING PUT OUT ICOMPLETELY INITIALLY.
NHTSA complaint #11415683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Bryan, TX
ENGINE
vehicle high pressure fuel pump is attached to and a part of the left camshaft in the engine. Although a major and critical component of the engine and propulsion, the fuel pump seized, exploded and shredded itself and the camshaft at the connected point sending shards of metal chunks and pieces into the engine causing catastrophic engine failure. The engine immediately went into limp mode on the highway at no less than 70 miles per hour while passing an 18 wheeler which, was a major safety issue and could have caused a crash causing serious bodily injury or death as a result. According to my research, this is a known problem. Porsche was contacted and ignored the complaint. The engine had to be completely replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11614224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bryan, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
vehicle high pressure fuel pump is attached to and a part of the left camshaft in the engine. Although a major and critical component of the engine and propulsion, the fuel pump seized, exploded and shredded itself and the camshaft at the connected point sending shards of metal chunks and pieces into the engine causing catastrophic engine failure. The engine immediately went into limp mode on the highway at no less than 70 miles per hour while passing an 18 wheeler which, was a major safety issue and could have caused a crash causing serious bodily injury or death as a result. According to my research, this is a known problem. Porsche was contacted and ignored the complaint. The engine had to be completely replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11614224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powder Springs, GA
ENGINE
I was driving my car and as I was coming to a stop the engine sputtered then started to stall. The check engine light then came on.
NHTSA complaint #11610930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Keizer, OR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2012 Porsche Panamera. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11494019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesMadison, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND YELLOW SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER GLOVEBOX ON PASSENGER SIDE FOLLOWED BY FIRE FLAMES BETWEEN DASH AND WINDOW. AND UNDER GLOVE BOX MELTING ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER GLOVE BOX AREA ABS FLOOR. FORE REIGNITED AFTER BEING PUT OUT ICOMPLETELY INITIALLY.
NHTSA complaint #11415683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesGoldsbridge, NY
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE PANAMERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SHOULDER, SHIFTED INTO PARK HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PORSCHE DANBURY (23 SUGAR HOLLOW RD., DANBURY, CT 06810, (203) 744-5200) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD WATER DAMAGE IN THE TRUNK WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V446000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.
NHTSA complaint #11386383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond HTS, OH
POWER TRAIN
CAMSHAFT CAUSES DELAY IN ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint #11310712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond HTS, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAMSHAFT CAUSES DELAY IN ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint #11310712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond HTS, OH
ENGINE
CAMSHAFT CAUSES DELAY IN ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint #11310712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE PANAMERA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V322000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED PORSCHE DOWNTOWN LA AT 213-536-4354 (LOCATED AT 1900 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11256421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,000 milesSAN Carlos, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I RECEIVED A URGENT SAFETY RECALL FOR POSSIBLE WATER INTRUSION INTO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE RECALL NOTE THEY I SHOULD ONLY PARK MY VECHLE DO TO POSSIBLE FIRE DANGER. CAR WAS TAKEN TO CARLSEN PORSCHE IN REDWOOD CITY CALIFORNIA (7/10/2019) THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID I WAS INDEED PART OF THE RECALL AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PART. AFTER A DAY THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART THAT THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. CLEARLY THEY WERE HOPING TO NOT HAVE TO REPLACE IT OR JUST WAS POOR MANAGEMENT AND OVERBOOKED MORE CARS THAN PARTS AVAILABLE. THE COMPLAINT IS THAT THEY DID SAID, THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THEY WOULD HAVE THE PART AS PORSCHE WAS NOT PROVIDING THEM WITH ANY INFORMATION AND TOLD ME TO GO HOME. THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW WHEN THEY EVER GET IT. THERE WAS A CLEAR LACK OF CARE ABOUT THE RECALL AND TREATED IT LIKE JUST A PAIN AND YES, THE CAR MAY CATCH ON FIRE BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I AM NOT SURE IF THEIR PLAN IS TO HOPE THOSE OF US EFFECTED WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE MORE TIME OFF IF THE PART COMES IN AND THEY WILL NEVER HAVE TO REPLACE IT. OR THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO WAIT PEOPLE OUT AND THEY WILL JUST GIVE UP. I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT THIS IS ADDRESSED AS I AM SURE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE TREATED LIKE THIS
NHTSA complaint #11231161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,280 milesWashington, DC
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE PANAMERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST LOCATED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (1) P000C - INTAKE CAMSHAFT POSITON SLOW RESPONSE (BANK 2) AND (2) P1538 - OIL PUMP ACTIVATION - LIMIT VALUE EXCEEDED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,280.
NHTSA complaint #11129078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurelton, NY
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE PANAMERA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PORSCHE OF SOUTH SHORE IN FREEPORT, NEW YORK WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD ARRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11013431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,670 milesHilton Head Island, SC
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY, CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME WE HAVE LOST POWER STEERING IN THIS VEHICLE IN THE 10 MONTHS WE'VE OWNED IT (SINCE NEW.) PRIOR LOSSES DID NOT OCCUR SUDDENLY AND WERE PRECEDED BY LOUD NOISES WHEN TURNING WHEEL. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED ALARM BECAUSE IT CAME WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10465875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50 milesArmonk, NY
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE PANAMERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DASHBOARD AREAS BLINDED THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LIGHTER COLORED DASHBOARD COULD BE REPLACED WITH A BLACK DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ UPDATED 04/25/12
NHTSA complaint #10452184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Armonk, NY
STRUCTURE
2012 PORSCHE PANAMERA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DASHBOARD REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE VEHICLE HAS A BEIGE DASHBOARD THAT REFLECTS OFF THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE ON A SUNNY DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10435732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.