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2012 Porsche Panamera TurboRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and power train (1). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
2
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 30, 2022NHTSA 22V656000

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jun 12, 2019NHTSA 19V446000

Electrical system

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Apr 24, 2019NHTSA 19V322000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2013 – Sep 2017
  1. Electrical system1
  2. Power train1

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 Panamera Turbo model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20103
20112
20122
20155
20163
20171
20189
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report
“HORN INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE FAILED ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO INOPERATIVE HORN. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 53K MILES. DEALERSHIP REPAIR ESTIMATE OVER $900.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2017Electrical systemODI 11021416

Power train

1 report
“THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CURVY FOUR LANE HIGHWAY. TRAFFIC SLOWED AND THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR WAS PUSHED TO SPEED UP WHILE CHANGING LANES. THE PDK TRANSMISSION HESITATED TWO OR THREE SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING THE SECOND CLUTCH - DURING WHICH THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE WHILE A CAR WAS RAPIDLY CLOSING IN - AND WHEN THE CLUTCH ENGAGED IT DID SO EXTREMELY HARD. THE ENGAGEMENT WAS SO HARD MY WIFE WAS LATER DIAGNOSED WITH WHIP LASH. THE ONCOMING CAR NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING THE SEEMINGLY-STUCK-IN-NEUTRAL PORSCHE. IT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAD NOTICED THE PDK HESITATING BETWEEN SHIFTS AND THEN BANGING INTO GEAR AND HAD REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO CODES SHOWN BY THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER SO THE DEALER AND THE WESTERN FIELD TECH WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE CAR. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND I WOULD NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT AFTER THAT. WE ARE SELLING IT, WHICH IS A SHAME AS WE HAD PREVIOUSLY OWNED FIVE OTHER PORSCHES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2013Power trainODI 10510005
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.8L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 7-spd
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 Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Panamera Turbo
Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
152318$4,200494
  • Panamera Turbo
    Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L, Turbo
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 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 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 6225
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

2012 Panamera Turbo questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 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 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1), power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026