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2012 Porsche Panamera problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Porsche Panamera has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 5safety recalls
- 18owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 1fire report
- 15%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Porsche Panamera year on file: 18 complaints, against an average of 5 for the other 10 model years.
Every Porsche Panamera model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Porsche Panamera?
The components named most often in the 18 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Porsche Panamera owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 18 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2012 Porsche Panamera been recalled?
5 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Exterior Lighting: Headlights 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."
Risk: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) 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.
Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System 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.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Engine 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.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/Supercharger 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.
Risk: IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2012 Porsche Panamera recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAARA1 Replacing front right wheel carrier
Risk: There is a possibility that a wheel carrier that does not meet the required specifications was installed on the right front axle of the affected vehicles during repairs at the Porsche Centre due to a temporary production error.
Fix: To prevent any possible danger resulting from this the front right wheel carrier must be replaced.
UK DVSAImprove the engine control system in terms of nitrogen oxide emissions
Risk: Improve the engine control system in terms of nitrogen oxide emissions.
Fix: Engine control software will be updated.
UK DVSAThe selector lever cable plastic sleeve does not have the required durability and may break
Risk: The transmission selector lever plastic sleeve does not have the required durability.
Fix: Replace the plastic sleeve on the selector cable.
UK DVSAPotential malfunction of the a/c blower control unit
Risk: Possible short circuits in the heater blower control unit.
Fix: Inspect and where necessary replace the control unit.
UK DVSAFuel may leak - possibility of fire
Risk: Fuel may leak from the injector fuel rails. Occupants may notice a smell and though small there is a risk of fire.
Fix: Replace injector fuel rails
UK DVSAFuel may leakYears estimated
Risk: The low fuel pressure sensor may not be fully tight. Over the life of the car the sensor may loosen allowing fuel to leak in the engine compartment.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to tighten the low fuel pressure sensor to the correct torque.
UK DVSAFire may occurYears estimated
Risk: The turbo chargers fitted to the affected vehicles may not be manufactured to the required standard. The result of one or both of the turbo chargers failing is rough running and lack of power. In the worst case scenario there is a possibility that fire could occur.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the turbo chargers.
EU Safety GateThe front-right wheel carriers may have a manufacturing defect.This can cause damage and break the wheel carrier, affecting the wheel control and driving stability, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThere is a possibility of a short circuit in the air conditioning control system.This is leading to an increased risk of the vehicle catching fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2012 Porsche Panamera fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Porsche Panamera owners report?
12 of the 18 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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…
CAMSHAFT CAUSES DELAY IN ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE PANAMERA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V322000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED PORSCHE DOWNTOWN LA AT 213-536-4354 (LOCATED AT 1900 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PORSCHE PANAMERA S E-HYBRID. THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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…
CATASTROPHIC FRAME FAILURE 10/11/12: THE CAR'S FRAME FRACTURED AND THE CAR BROKE IN TWO DURING PROPER LOADING OF THE VEHICLE VIA THE TOW HOOK ONTO A ROLL BACK CAR CARRIER. ONE SECTION, FROM THE FRAME'S FRONT CROSS MEMBER FORWARD, STAYED ON THE CARRIER. THE REST OF THE CAR ROLLED UNCONTROLLED, DOWNHILL ON THE STREET FOR ABOUT 200 FEET AND THEN INTO A DITCH. THE CAR MISSED HITTING A MAIL CARRIER DUE TO THE TOW OPERATOR CHASING THE CAR, REACHING IN THROUGH ITS WINDOW AND STEERING THE CAR AWAY FROM THE MAIL CARRIER. A PORSCHE DEALER WAS PICKING THE CAR UP FOR SERVICE. THE OWNER HAD STOPPED DRIVING…
POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY, CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME WE HAVE LOST POWER STEERING IN THIS VEHICLE IN THE 10 MONTHS WE'VE OWNED IT (SINCE NEW.) PRIOR LOSSES DID NOT OCCUR SUDDENLY AND WERE PRECEDED BY LOUD NOISES WHEN TURNING WHEEL. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED ALARM BECAUSE IT CAME WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
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
2012 Porsche Panamera: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Porsche Panamera reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Porsche Panamera; the most common categories were engine (6, 33.3%), electrical system (3, 16.7%), power train (3, 16.7%). There are 5 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Porsche Panamera?
Across 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (33.3% of complaints), electrical system (16.7% of complaints), power train (16.7% of complaints), structure (16.7% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (11.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Porsche Panamera have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Porsche Panamera; the most recent (campaign 22V656000, 2022-08-30) concerns Exterior Lighting: Headlights. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Porsche Panamera stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
4 of the 18 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Porsche Panamera (22.2%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. A related recall exists: campaign 17V368000 (engine). The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fastening screws for the camshaft adjusters, free of charge. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11610930, August 2024). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own Panamera
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only; combines NHTSA's entries for PANAMERA, PANAMERA S E-HYBRID, PANAMERA TURBO and PANAMERA TURBO S.