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Porsche · NHTSA safety record

2011 Porsche Panamera

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 34 safety complaints about the 2011 Porsche Panamera with the US government. Of those, 1 mentions a fire and no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 21 complaints, 62% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 68,120 miles, the median across the 21 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers December 2011 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

34 complaints on file

34

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 21 · 62%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 · 18%
POWER TRAIN 6 · 18%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 3 · 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 · 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 · 9%
AIR BAGS 1 · 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 · 3%
FIRERELATED 1 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 · 3%
STEERING 1 · 3%
STRUCTURE 1 · 3%
0 12 23

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 34.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2016 at 5.

8 6 4 2
11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2011 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2011 Porsche Panamera. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

22V656000 · August 30, 2022

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. · up to 222,858 vehicles across all model years covered

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

19V446000 · June 12, 2019

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. · up to 99,665 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

19V322000 · April 24, 2019

The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short increases the risk of fire.
The 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. Porsche's number for this recall is AKA7. Note: Porsche recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. · up to 33,206 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE

17V368000 · June 7, 2017

The defect
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.
The risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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. 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.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. · up to 18,005 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

12V329000 · July 12, 2012

The defect
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.
The risk
IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.
The 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.

PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 270 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

FIRERELATED

fire · towed · 155,000 miles

The contact owned a 2011 Porsche Panamera. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel stiffened, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power, gray smoke entered the cabin, and all warning lights illuminated. The contact immediately parked and exited the vehicle. A fire originated from under the passenger side of the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished using a fire extinguisher. A police report and a fire department report were filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed by the police department and was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000.

NHTSA complaint 11759810. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 57,800 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE PANAMERA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CAM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (WALTERS PORSCHE 8423 INDIANA AVENUE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN TOOL WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V368000 (ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,800.

NHTSA complaint 11006014. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 100,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 PORSCHE PANAMERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THEIR VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATED FORWARD BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHOOK AND POWERED OFF. THE CONTACT HAD A MOBILE MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE DIAGNOSING CODES WERE RESET, HOWEVER, THE ISSUE PERSISTED. THE MECHANIC THEN STATED THE FUEL PUMP BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE REOCCURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE CONTACT

NHTSA complaint 11351352, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2011 Porsche Panamera 4 has water coming through the AC vents. I noticed that the passenger rugs are wet and possibly shorting out my electrical modules.

NHTSA complaint 11680216. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I am reporting an issue with the AH08 recall (NHTSA Campaign 17V368) for my 2011 Porsche Panamera 4S. I experienced the failure on December 27, 2024, while driving on the highway. I scheduled repair at Porsche Greensboro (Foreign Cars Italia) for Dec 31, 2024, but they kept my vehicle for 33 days without completing any recall work. They then advised me to contact another dealer. I arranged to have the vehicle towed to Porsche Southpoint in Durham, NC, for a February 3, 2025 appointment. As of June 2025, none of the recall repairs have been performed, and the dealer is requesting $12,000 to disassemble the engine for damage stemming from the AH08 issue—work that should be covered under the

NHTSA complaint 11669179, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
On [XXX], I experienced the failure associated with the AH08 recall while driving on the highway. I promptly scheduled an appointment at Porsche Greensboro (Foreign Cars Italia) for December 31, 2024, at 8:00 AM (Confirmation Code: [XXX]) to address recalls AH08, AKA7, AKB1, and ANB4. Despite keeping my vehicle for 30 days, Porsche Greensboro did not complete any of the recall services and ultimately informed me that they could not perform the work in a timely manner, advising me to contact another dealership. Following this, I scheduled an appointment at Porsche Southpoint for February 3, 2025, at 9:20 AM (Confirmation Code: [XXX]), and Porsche Greensboro arranged to have the vehicle towed

NHTSA complaint 11662484, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Due to a problem with my car engine, the car would not accelerate and would move slowly despite pressing on the pedal. The car screen indicated that it was PCM problem (the gas would not come up) and it was a reduced engine problem. The car not accelerating despite pressing the pedal can pose serious safety problems. I have not taken the car to a dealer to repair yet.

NHTSA complaint 11653314. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
2011 PORSCHE PANAMERA. CONSUMER LETTER WRITES IN REGARD TO SLOW RESPONSE OF INTAKE CAMSHAFT. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint 11514159. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Porsche Panamera

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2018 12 6 —
2014 14 3 —
2013 12 3 —
2012 13 5 —

Other 2011 Porsche models

Cayenne 30 Cayenne S 17 Cayenne Turbo 11

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Porsche on this site — 36 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst