2012 Porsche Panamera reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Porsche Panamera over 15 years — 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Panamera years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Headlights, Gear position indicator, and Electrical system.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (5 of 13), then Electrical system (2) and Powertrain (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Panamera has 12 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Porsche Panamera. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (5)

Recall exterior lighting, headlights 2022-08-30 · NHTSA campaign 22V656000

Summary Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Remedy Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, gear position indicator 2019-06-12 · NHTSA campaign 19V446000

Summary Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.

Remedy Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.

Recall Electrical system 2019-04-24 · NHTSA campaign 19V322000

Summary Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2010-2016 Panamera 4S and Panamera S, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4 and Panamera Turbo, 2012-2016 Panamera Turbo S and Panamera S E-Hybrid, 2013-2016 Panamera GTS, 2013 Panamera Platinum Edition and Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, 2014-2016 Panamera 4S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive and Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2015 Panamera Diesel and 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition and Panamera Turbo S Exclusive Series vehicles. Water may enter the A/C blower control unit, causing an electrical short circuit.

Remedy Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower control unit, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKA7. Note: Porsche recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Recall Engine 2017-06-07 · NHTSA campaign 17V368000

Summary Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo vehicles, 2011-2012 Panamera and Panamera 4 vehicles, and 2011 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles. The affected vehicles have camshaft controllers that may come loose inside the engine, potentially resulting in an engine stall.

Remedy Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fastening screws for the camshaft adjusters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2018. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH08.

Recall engine and cooling, engine, gasoline, turbocharger 2012-07-12 · NHTSA campaign 12V329000

Summary PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 PANAMERA TURBO, 2012 PANAMERA TURBO S, AND 2012 CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES. THE TURBINE WHEEL OF A TURBOCHARGER MAY FRACTURE DUE TO A CASTING DEFECT. IF A FRACTURE OCCURS, VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DECREASED AND THE TURBINE SHAFT MAY FRACTURE.

Remedy PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURBINE WHEELS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.

Complaints by component (13 total)

Engine

Electrical system

Powertrain

Structure

Exterior lighting

Fuel and propulsion system

Speed control

Steering

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"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…"
Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2024-09-12
"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."
Engine · filed 2024-08-26
"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…"
Exterior lighting · filed 2022-11-17
"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…"
Electrical system · filed 2021-05-08
"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,…"
Powertrain · filed 2021-01-04

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Porsche Panamera 4 5 HB AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 Porsche Panamera 4S 5 HB AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 Porsche Panamera 5 HB RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 Porsche Panamera S 5 HB RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid 5 HB AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo 5 HB AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S 5 HB AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Panamera	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 7-speed	Rear-wheel drive	18	26	21 MPG	$3800
Panamera 4	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 7-speed	Four-wheel drive	18	26	21 MPG	$3800
Panamera 4S	4.8L, 8-cyl	Automatic 7-speed	All-wheel drive	16	24	19 MPG	$4200
Panamera S	4.8L, 8-cyl	Automatic 7-speed	Rear-wheel drive	16	24	19 MPG	$4200
Panamera S hybrid	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	22	30	25 MPG	$3200
Panamera Turbo	4.8L, 8-cyl	Automatic 7-speed	All-wheel drive	15	23	18 MPG	$4450
Panamera Turbo S	4.8L, 8-cyl	Automatic 7-speed	All-wheel drive	15	23	18 MPG	$4450

Specs and fitment

First generation (970), 2012–2016

Body styles Sedan

Oil 0W-40 or 5W-30 (engine dependent; confirm on cap)

Tire size 245/50R18, 255/45R19 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA recall 17V-368 covers certain 2010-2012 Panamera S, 4S, and Turbo models for a seat belt buckle issue; confirm whether your US model year is in scope via NHTSA VIN lookup. Recall 19V-533 also lists certain 2016 Panamera vehicles for an air bag ECU capacitor defect with dealer ECU replacement as the remedy.

Compare

Next year 2013 Porsche Panamera See every Porsche Panamera model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Porsche Panamera reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Porsche Panamera?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (5 of 13), then Electrical system (2) and Powertrain (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.

Is the 2012 Porsche Panamera more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Panamera has 12 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Porsche Panamera been recalled?

The 2012 Porsche Panamera has 5 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Porsche Panamera?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2012 Porsche Panamera with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Porsche Panamera get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Porsche Panamera is 20.1 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US Porsche Panamera use?

0W-20, 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 (engine dependent; confirm on cap)

What tire sizes fit a US Porsche Panamera?

Published US specs commonly list front 265/45R19, 275/40R20 (trim dependent) and rear 265/45R19, 275/40R20 (trim dependent); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Porsche Panamera?

NHTSA recall 19V-322 covers certain 2010-2016 Panamera 4S and Panamera S models for a seat belt anchor concern; verify campaign applicability to your VIN. Recall 22V-656 is a multi-model Takata inflator program that includes Panamera model years in its population list.