2017 Porsche Macan Engine Problems

My 2017 Porsche Macan has a Timing Chain Cover Bolt Failure which has caused leaking oil and may lead to total loss of oil and engine failure. This is a known documented design and manufacturing defect affecting the 3.0L and 3.6L engines. The manufacturers original aluminum bolts for the cover suffer from premature failure leading them to break. Porsche has recognized this widespread defect and problem by issuing a technical service bulletin for this issue. Porsche has not issued a recall to fix this problem. I have contacted a Porsche dealer to address this problem but they refused to make the repair without my paying the cost to repair their defect.

NHTSA ID

11752140

Incident

Jul 9, 2026

Porsche is making use of aluminum fasteners for important engine components. These fasteners are substandard for the service. At 100,000 miles, two of the bolts for the timing chain cover simply broke in half during normal service, resulting in a substantial oil leak and an expensive repair (about $3000). At 120,000 miles, one of the bolts for the valve cover also simply broke in half, resulting in another oil leak and a repair bill of about $1000.

NHTSA ID

11654627

Incident

Apr 10, 2025

airbag light comes on and off intermittently I am aware there were some problems with the airbag sensor that year and recalls for other models, not my vin, I have called and confirmed there are none for mine. seems to act up more after or while I have a passenger so I suspect (almost positive) this is for the passenger airbag. also when I have a passenger the amber indicator that says airbag on off will randomly switch to off and I'll get the dash light. this makes me think its the airbag weight sensor pad that deteriorates easily that other cars had a recall for but not mine. no water was spilled on the seat before it started acting up the way it has been. as well, the engine motor mounts have a tendency to break fairly easily and fast causing vibrations and possible safety issues.

NHTSA ID

11577431

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

The 2017 Porsche Macan S is unsafe to drive on the road as the vehicle goes into jerking mode while driving without any warning, the safety light came on as transmission fault. I took the vehicle to River Oaks Porsche, and they diagnosed the issue as transmission problem common with the Macan brand and the Cayenne brand, I then informed the manufacturer, and I was informed that since the vehicle had not been recalled there was nothing they could do with the defect. Since the dealership acknowledged that the issue was common with these brands, I believed that these vehicles should have been recalled for public safety.

NHTSA ID

11521025

Incident

Apr 7, 2023

The engine oil started leaking on the timing case over bolts. The current mileage is 20500. This happened right after the regular 40,000 mile maintenance. The dealership said it's out of warranty but on a bit of research the aluminum bolts seem to break easily with a lot of similar cases.

NHTSA ID

11467288

Incident

May 27, 2022

On April 26 2021 performed routine oil change and noticed oil leaking from valve cover gasket onto side of engine. Took to Prestige Imports Inc, in Lakewood Colorado April 30th 2021, mileage is 22,851 and dealer told me: "Inspect for engine oil leak, no leak present although a slight wetness is visible at valve cover, no drips present. No repairs necessary per Porsche warranty guidelines." Dealer advised me to drive car hard and return in few weeks for visual inspection. Returned to dealer on 05/19/2021 and dealer looked at car and told me leak was a SWEAT and would not be repaired under warranty. Car purchased 05/22/2021, out of warranty 05/22/2021.

NHTSA ID

11419063

Incident

Apr 26, 2021

PER PORSCHE DEALER, "2 BROKER BOLTS ON THE TIMING COVER CAUSING AN OIL LEAK." VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) TO REPAIR AS VEHICLE IS 50 MONTHS OLD. NO RECALL JUST YET BY PORSCHE PER DEALER, THOUGH HAS AFFECTED PORSCHE CARS WITH THIS ENGINE IN SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS AS IS READILY NOTED ON ONLINE FORUMS AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11377569

Incident

Dec 2, 2020

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 PORSCHE MACAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE "ENGINE CONTROL FAULT" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GARBER AUTOMOTIVE ROCHESTER, 3955 W HENRIETTA ROAD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623) ON SIX OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ID

11130906

Incident

Sep 22, 2018

Mileage

14,000 mi