Used Porsche Panamera 2016-2023 reliability
Category: Luxury car
The Porsche Panamera is comfortable, luxurious and fun to drive. It's a good but pricey used buy.
What should I look for in a used Porsche Panamera hatchback?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
Although it's an admirably sporty car, many Panameras will have been used on urban rat runs and maybe even in some tight multi-storey car parks. Check the bodywork carefully for scuffs and dents as they will be expensive to repair. Also look for kerb damage on the alloy wheels.
Being a great long-distance cruiser, check the front bumper for any big stone chips. Make sure the upholstery and interior trim are in good nick, too.
The Panamera feels and looks very well made, but it’s worth checking all the electrical items work as they should, including the infotainment system, seats and operation of the tailgate.
What are the most common problems with a used Porsche Panamera hatchback?
At the time of writing, the Porsche Panamera has been subject to 13 recalls. To check whether a car has been affected, you can contact your local Porsche dealer. You will not need to pay for anything involving the recall.
Reason for recall
There is a possibility the clamp between the particulate filter and front exhaust pipe is not fully closed, due to an unfavourable tolerance pairing. The particulate filter could become detached from the exhaust pipe when travelling over bumps, for example. This can then cause exhaust gas to leak out, as well as rattling noises. If this happens, occupants will notice an exhaust smell and the pre-mentioned noise.
How the manufacturer will repair: Affected vehicles will be recalled so the clamp can be checked. Where necessary, relevant components will be replaced.
Number of affected vehicles: 109
Date of recall: 28/07/2017
Reason for recall
The connecting links on the rear axle anti-roll bar cannot be ensured over the life of the vehicle. This may lead to noise and an activated yellow warning light. This may impair the function, which is characterised by greater understeer and increased roll behaviour.
How the manufacturer will repair: Replacement of the links on the anti-roll bar.
Number of affected vehicles: 197
Date of recall: 08/06/2018
Reason for recall
The electric power steering may become unavailable.
How the manufacturer will repair: Re-programme the power steering control unit with a software upgrade.
Number of affected vehicles: 2521
Date of recall: 20/12/2018
Reason for recall
Brake pad wear warning light function is incorrect.
How the manufacturer will repair: Update instrument cluster software.
Number of affected vehicles: 2511
Date of recall: 14/03/2019
Reason for recall
The electric power steering harness could become trapped and damaged.
How the manufacturer will repair: Check and replace the electric power steering harness if necessary.
Number of affected vehicles: 270
Date of recall: 13/06/2019
Reason for recall
The required display logic of the brake wear indicator is incorrect.
How the manufacturer will repair: The instrument cluster will be re-programmed with updated software.
Number of affected vehicles: 6250
Date of recall: 12/11/2019
Reason for recall
Emission values may be higher than expected.
How the manufacturer will repair: Replace the suction hoses and re-programme vehicle control units.
Number of affected vehicles: 221
Date of recall: 19/11/2019
Reason for recall
There is a possibility the right front lower trailing arms do not meet the required specifications.
How the manufacturer will repair: The lower trailing arm on the right front axle must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Number of affected vehicles: 84
Date of recall: 16/06/2021
Reason for recall
There is a possibility of humidity ingress into the control unit for the auxiliary pump of the climate control system. This can cause malfunctions that lead to short circuits and a risk of smouldering fire. Activation of the Auto Rest button can lead to fire damage, even after the vehicle has been parked.
How the manufacturer will repair: Replace the additional pump with a variant with an optimised sealing concept.
Number of affected vehicles: 1531
Date of recall: 13/04/2023
Reason for recall
It's possible that the screw connection of the seat belt mount to the rear left and/or right seat was not carried out in accordance with the specifications.
How the manufacturer will repair: The screw connection of the seat belt mount to the rear left and/or right seat must be replaced.
Number of affected vehicles: 3
Date of recall: 12/07/2023
Reason for recall
The wheel attachments using the central lock may not meet the required specifications. This can lead to damage/breakage and the possibility of wheel detachment.
How the manufacturer will repair: Check the correct functioning of the central lock wheel fastening system and replace if necessary.
Number of affected vehicles: 1
Date of recall: 28/10/2024
Reason for recall
The software version of the engine control unit does not correspond to the software version that should be on the vehicle.
How the manufacturer will repair: Review the software version of the engine control unit and if necessary update it to the correct software version.
Number of affected vehicles: 20
Date of recall: 01/12/2024
Reason for recall
The cabling for the crash sensors in the door trim panel was incorrectly assigned, which can delay the side airbag trigger in certain crash situations.
How the manufacturer will repair: Re-code the airbag control unit.
Number of affected vehicles: 1111
Date of recall: 09/10/2025
Is a used Porsche Panamera hatchback reliable?
The Panamera didn’t get enough responses to feature in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, but a close relative, the Porsche Cayenne SUV, did. It finished in 13th place out of 16 cars in the luxury car segment, which was above the Audi Q7 but below the BMW X5, Land Rover Defender and Range Rover.
As a brand, Porsche finished in 19th place out of 30 car makers. That places it above Audi, Land Rover and Mercedes, but below BMW, Lexus and Tesla.
Used Porsche Panamera: owners' reliability data
In our reliability survey, owners said the 2016-2023 Panamera generally delivers a sturdy ownership experience, though it is not without its high-tech headaches. While mechanical hardware like the PDK automatic gearbox is widely praised for its durability, electrical "gremlins" are the most frequent complaint. Owners reported occasional software glitches within the infotainment system and faulty battery sensors that can cause the stop-start system to fail.
Air suspension issues also surfaced as a notable trend; while comfortable, components such as compressors and struts can be expensive to fix if they develop leaks. Readers noted that while faults are relatively infrequent, repair costs are significantly higher than the industry average, often described as "costly" or "staggering" once out of warranty.
Dealer service received a mixed reception. While some praised the technical expertise and efficiency of the network, others highlighted poor communication and expensive labour rates as areas for improvement.
