Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Porsche Panamera problems
Owners filed 13 complaints about the 2012 Porsche Panamera with NHTSA between Nov 2011 and Sep 2024. The most-cited component is engine (5).
Complaints
13
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine5
- Electrical system2
- Power train2
- Structure2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Exterior lighting1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Steering1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
2
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
1
2
1
0
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
5 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Electrical system
2 reports1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
Power train
2 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Structure
2 reports
“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”
Fuel/propulsion system
1 report
Exterior lighting
1 report1 related recall
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.