RoadVitals

2016 Porsche Panamera

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Aug 9, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Aug 30, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Porsche Panamera, most frequently naming the brakes, exterior lighting and powertrain (other) categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 492 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes125.0%
  • Exterior lighting125.0%
  • Powertrain (other)125.0%
  • Visibility125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 30, 2022
222,858 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The 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.
The 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. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.Manufacturer number ANB4View on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

Jul 17, 2019
7,517 units potentially affected
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2016-2017 911 and Boxster, 2016 Cayman and Panamera vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
The risk: Deactivated air bags increase the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 13, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB4.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.Manufacturer number AKB4View on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Jun 12, 2019
99,665 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.Manufacturer number AKB1View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 9, 2023
Crash reported

The contact owned a 2016 Porsche Panamera. The contact stated that while driving at 2 MPH and while the contact attempted to make a right turn when the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes failed to engage inadvertently. The steering column also became inoperable. The vehicle would not stop and the steering column would not turn, which resulted in an accident. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and a police report was filed; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was declared a total loss by the Allstate Insurance Adjuster. The contact stated that he had previously experienced brake failure while driving the vehicle and had taken the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, but the dealer could not diagnose the failure at either visit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID
11537362
Incident
May 4, 2020
Mileage
60,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Porsche Panamera. The contact received a phone call and was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer notified the contact of the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred him to several dealers for assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11490552
Incident
Sep 10, 2022
Visibility
Filed Sep 30, 2019

I HAVE ALMOST COLLIDED IN SEVERAL INSTANCES DUE TO THE REAR BACKUP CAMERA. IT IS ALMOST USELESS AFTER PORSCHE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPAIR. IT IS NOW A DEFECTIVE BACK UP CAMERA. DEALER SAID WHEN THEY REPAIRED REAR OF MY VEHICLE THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THE REAR CAMERA UPDATE CAUSED THE VISIBILITY TO DRAMATICALLY DECREASE. THERE IS NO FIX OR RESOLUTION SO I HAVE A BACK UP CAMERA THAT IS LIMITED TO VIEWING MY LICENSE PLATE AND THE GROUND BENEATH IT. SO LIMITED AS TO BE ESSENTIALLY USELESS AND IS DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. NEAR MISSED REAR COLLISIONS DUE TO THE DEFECT. WHEN I BACK UP, I CANNOT SEE DUE TO DESIGN OF VEHICLE AND DESIGN OF BACK UP CAMERA. I CANNOT SEE THINGS IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALMOST MISSED OTHER CARS AND OBJECTS WHEN MOVING BACKWARD DUE TO LACK OF VISIBILITY. FAR INFERIOR VIEW TO PRIOR VIEW BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN AS WELL AS BY COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES IN SAME CLASS.

NHTSA ID
11265215
Incident
Jul 15, 2019
Mileage
30,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSTR 2642

Porsche Tester Software Update Information Software Version: 44.300.000

SPTL 2607a

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

SPTL 2607

VAS 621001A Matrix Headlamp Aimer – Automatic Shipment / Maha Installation

18/26

POWER TRAIN

Warranty Information: Warranty Extension for Transmission Electronics Control Unit (18/26)

13/26

ENGINE

Allocation of Approved Engine Oils MY 2027 (13/26)

TSTR 2641

PiUS Update Information Software Version: 3.2

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Porsche Panamera by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026120
2025220
2024220
2023200
2022100
2021230
2020510
2019010
2018126165.1
2017141
2016Viewing340
2015530
2014143060.8
2013123047.8
2012135047.3
2011335043.4
2010510

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.