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Research · Large Cars

2012 Porsche PanameraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2012 Porsche Panamera. Most complaints involve engine (5) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
13
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2011 – Sep 2024
  1. Engine5
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Power train2
  4. Structure2
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1
  6. Exterior lighting1
  7. Vehicle speed control1
  8. Steering1
  9. Other / unknown1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201134
201213
201312
201412
20156
20163
20171
201812
20205
20212
20221
20232
20242
20261
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

5 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2024Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11614224

Electrical system

2 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2021Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11415683

Power train

2 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 4, 2021Power trainODI 11386383
All 2012 Panamera problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 4.8L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 7-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel 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 30, 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
Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182621$3,800423
Panamera 4
Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
182621$3,800423
Panamera 4S
Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · All-Wheel Drive
162419$4,200468
Panamera S
Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,200468
  • Panamera
    Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Panamera 4
    Auto 7-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Panamera 4S
    Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Panamera S
    Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 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 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 6220
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Panamera have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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 problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (5), electrical system (2), power train (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Porsche Panamera get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Porsche Panamera at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026