Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2017 Porsche Macan SRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 68 owner complaints for the 2017 Porsche Macan S. Most complaints involve air bags (24) and service brakes (11). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2023
Owner complaints
68
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Macan S, 2017-2020 Macan, 2017 Panamera Turbo, 2018 and 2020 Macan Turbo and Panamera 4, 2018 Macan Sport Edition, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, and 2019 Panamera 4 Sport Turismo vehicles. The screw that attaches the lower seat belt anchor to the seat frame on the outboard rear seats may not have been tightened properly.

Seat beltsReported Jun 26, 2023NHTSA 23V443000

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Macan, Macan Turbo Kits, Macan GTS, 2015-2018 Macan S, and Macan Turbo vehicles. The front passenger seat occupancy sensor mat may degrade and fail to detect a passenger in the front seat.

Air bagsReported Mar 3, 2021NHTSA 21V131000

Equipment

Free remedy

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid Platinum Edition, Macan Turbo and Macan GTS vehicles, 2017-2018 Cayenne S, Macan, Cayenne Platinum Edition and Macan S vehicles and 2018 Cayenne vehicles equipped with the optional ski bag. The ski bag fastening strap may have been sewn with incorrect thread, possibly resulting in the strap seams tearing and the ski bag being unsecured in the event of a crash.

EquipmentReported Nov 28, 2018NHTSA 18V844000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

68 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2017 – Sep 2026
  1. Air bags24
  2. Service brakes11
  3. Engine9
  4. Fuel/propulsion system7
  5. Steering7
  6. Exterior lighting4
  7. Electrical system3
  8. Power train3
  9. Visibility/wiper3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Macan S model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20158
201629
201768
20181
20201
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

24 reports1 crash
“On [XXX] at around 6pm the AIRBAG light displayed in instrument cluster and remained steady after vehicle was placed in motion. I called my nearest service dealer at Porsche Carlsbad and they ran a vehicle diagnosis using their scanning tool. The finding was that the Front Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor / Module was defective and needs replacement. The dealer also said that a recall had been issued (for which my vehicle's VIN was not listed). I called Porsche Company North America and they said my VIN was not part of that campaign to fix this issue, but I feel that this recall related to vehicle safety should have included my vehicle since it was within the make/model/year and trim of those included in the recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 4, 2024Air bagsODI 11628935

Service brakes

11 reports3 crashes
“While driving at approximately 40 mph, traffic began to slow. When I attempted to slow to match traffic conditions, my brake pedal offered almost no resistance and sank to the floor. The car did not slow. I pumped the brake pedal repeatedly but it had no connection to the cars brakes. A vehicle collision occurred as a result as I coasted into the car ahead of me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2023Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11551331

Engine

9 reports
“My 2017 Porsche Macan has a Timing Chain Cover Bolt Failure which has caused leaking oil and may lead to total loss of oil and engine failure. This is a known documented design and manufacturing defect affecting the 3.0L and 3.6L engines. The manufacturers original aluminum bolts for the cover suffer from premature failure leading them to break. Porsche has recognized this widespread defect and problem by issuing a technical service bulletin for this issue. Porsche has not issued a recall to fix this problem. I have contacted a Porsche dealer to address this problem but they refused to make the repair without my paying the cost to repair their defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2026EngineODI 11752140
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Macan S
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,200459
  • Macan S
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Porsche Macan S as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 11742
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 Macan S questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Porsche Macan S have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2017 Porsche Macan S problems?

Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (24), service brakes (11), engine (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Porsche Macan S get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Porsche Macan S at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026