Most common 2012 Porsche Panamera problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Porsche Panamera complaints by model year
Best Panamera years: 2017, 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 2011, 2018. Compare all years →
2012 Porsche Panamera recalls (5)
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.
Remedy: 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.
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…
Remedy: 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.
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,…
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
What 2012 Porsche Panamera owners say
Engine & cooling
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Porsche Panamera. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the engine indicator illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and the check engine indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test located diagnostic trouble codes (1) p000c - intake camshaft positon slow response (bank 2) and (2) p1538 - oil pump activation - limit value exceeded. The independent mechanic referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V368000 (engine). The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,280.
2012 Porsche Panamera engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged hybrid | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 4WD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl turbo | 7-speed automatic | AWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Porsche Panamera a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Panamera rates average: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the Panamera at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Porsche Panamera?
The engine & cooling — 5 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (2) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Panamera have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2012 Porsche Panamera, the most recent from August 30, 2022 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Porsche Panamera?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011 and 2018. See the full Porsche Panamera years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Porsche Panamera problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.