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.
The worst 2012 Porsche Panamera problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine5
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine5
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
- Fuel system1
- Lights1
- Steering1
Recalls 5
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 22V656000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 19V446000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of fire.
- 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.
Recall number 19V322000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 17V368000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the shaft fractures, oil may be drawn into the exhaust system, resulting in smoke and the increased risk of a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 12V329000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Porsche Panamera 481
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Warranty Information: Warranty Extension for Transmission Electronics Control Unit (18/26)
- Parts Information for Parts Withdrawal
- Parts Information for Parts Withdrawal
- Parts Information for Parts Withdrawal
- Advanced Technical Information for VTS Remote Services Fail due to False 3G
- Parts Information for Parts Withdrawal
- Parts Information for Parts Withdrawal
- Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche A40 Engine Oils
- Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils
- Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils
2012 Porsche Panamera fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl Hybrid | RWD | 22 | 30 | 25 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
| 4.8L 8‑cyl | RWD | 16 | 24 | 19 |
| 4.8L 8‑cyl | AWD | 15-16 | 23-24 | 18-19 |
What 2012 Porsche Panamera owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was driving my car and as I was coming to a stop the engine sputtered then started to stall. The check engine light then came on.
The contact owns a 2012 Porsche Panamera. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V656000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Vehicle was parked and yellow smoke began billowing out from under glovebox on passenger side followed by fire flames between dash and window. And under glove box melting entire passenger side under glove box area ABS floor. Fore reignited after being put out icompletely initially.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 porsche panamera. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle decelerated with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact coasted to the shoulder, shifted into park however, the vehicle failed to shift back into drive. The vehicle was towed to porsche danbury (23 sugar hollow rd., danbury, ct 06810, (203) 744-5200) where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the vehicle had water damage in the trunk which might have caused issue with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v446000 (power train) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Camshaft causes delay in acceleration and loss of power check engine light on while driving and stationary
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 porsche panamera. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v322000 (electrical system). The contact called porsche downtown la at 213‑536‑4354 (located at 1900 s figueroa st, los angeles, ca 90007) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I received a urgent safety recall for possible water intrusion into the air conditioning unit. The recall note they I should only park my vechle do to possible fire danger. Car was taken to carlsen porsche in redwood city california (7/10/2019) they looked at the car and said I was indeed part of the recall and they would replace the part. After a day they said they did not have the part that they told me they had when I brought the car in. Clearly they were hoping to not have to replace it or just was poor management and overbooked more cars than parts available. The complaint is that they did said, they had no idea when they would have the part as porsche was not providing them with any information and told me to go home. They would let me know when they ever get it. There was a clear lack of care about the recall and treated it like just a pain and yes, the car may catch on fire but there was nothing they could do about it. I am not sure if their plan is to hope those of us effected will not be able to take more time off if the part comes in and they will never have to replace it. Or they are just trying to wait people out and they will just give up. I would appreciate that this is addressed as I am sure I was not the only one treated like this
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 porsche panamera. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v368000 (engine); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Porsche of south shore in freeport, new york was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable and did not know when they would arrive. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Compare the 2012 Porsche Panamera
Other model years
2010201120122013201420152016201720182020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2012 Porsche Panamera
Is the 2012 Porsche Panamera reliable?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2012 Porsche Panamera, 2.6 times a typical Panamera model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Porsche Panamera?
Engine and cooling, with 5 complaints. Next is body (2).
How many recalls does the 2012 Porsche Panamera have?
5 recalls, covering exterior lighting, power train and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Porsche Panamera engine?
Yes, 2 recalls: 17V368000, 12V329000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Porsche Panamera get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Porsche Panamera range from 18 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl hybrid, RWD) gets 22 city and 30 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2012 Porsche Panamera?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history