2010 Porsche Panamera 4s

Routine

Owners filed 9 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine4
000
Electrical System3
100
Unknown or Other1
000
Air Bags1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights22V656000
Filed Aug 30, 2022222,858 vehiclesPorsche Cars North America, Inc.

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."

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)19V446000
Filed Jun 12, 201999,665 vehiclesPorsche Cars North America, Inc.

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.

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.

Electrical System19V322000
Filed Apr 24, 201933,206 vehiclesPorsche Cars North America, Inc.

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.

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.

Engine17V368000
Filed Jun 7, 201718,005 vehiclesPorsche Cars North America, Inc.

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Nov 4, 2024130,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. There were five unknown codes regarding the DPS. The vehicle was running roughly. The contact thought that the vehicle was going to stall. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V368000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the cam shaft adjuster was loosened. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact there were no open recalls on the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 24, 201950,028 milesMI

MY VEHICLE WAS SITTING OUTSIDE MY HOME FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. I THEN DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR A DRIVE ONLY TO SEE SEVERAL FEATURES IN THE CAR MALFUNCTION AND NOT WORKING. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I HAD LEARNED THE TRUNK OF MY CAR FILLED UP WITH LOTS OF WATER DUE TO THE DRAINAGE HOLES BEING BLOCKED WITHH DEBRIS. THIS RESULTED IN A MASSIVE CIRCUIT SHORTAGE IN THE REAR ELECTRICAL AND SOUND SYSTEM LOCATED IN MY TRUNK RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 11, 201845,000 milesAL

HELLO, I AM THE OWNER OF PANAMERA 4S 2010 BOUGHT FROM AMERICAN DEALER. I HAVE BIG CRITICAL TECHNICAL PROBLEM. PLEASE FOR SUPPORT. I BRING THIS CAR TO EUROPE. NOW IT IS 73K KM/ 45K MILES. CAR LOOKS AND KEEP AS NEW. VIN: [XXX] CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER ALUMINUM BOLTS FAILURE. MY CAR WAS LISTED AS A CAR FOR SERVICE ACTION BUT I DIDN'T KNEW ABOUT THAT. FEW BOLT FELT DOWN TO THE ENGINE. I LEFT CAR TO PORSCHE DEALERSHIP IN POZNA (POLAND). IN COMING DAYS THIS DEALERSHIP WILL SEND A LETTER TO PORSCHE EUROPE TO COVER MY REPAIR COST. KINDLY PLEASE FOR SUPPORT IN MY ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED THAT PORSCHE EUROPE MIGHT NOT BE INTERESTED TO COVER SUCH REPAIR COST BECAUSE THIS CAR CAME FROM USA. IN MANY CASES LIKE MINE PORSCHE CHANGED FOR THE NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF THIS MANUFACTURER MISTAKE MY CAR IS LISTED OFFICIALLY FOR MANUFACTURER SERVICE ACTION WITH CAMSHAFT BOLT REPLACE. BUT THESE BOLTS ARE BROKEN NOW. IN TECHNICAL-ECONOMICAL ISSUE I NEED SUPPORT IN SOLVING MY CASE. MY MOBILE: [XXX] @: [XXX] BEST REGARDS, [XXX] PORSCHE DO NOT WANT TO HELP ME. VALUE OF ENGINE REPAIR TO VALUE OF MY CAR IS IRRATIONAL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine
Filed May 9, 201853,000 milesNJ

I DROVE 5 MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE TO A GAS STATION ON MY WAY TO WORK. AS I PULLED OUT OF THE GAS STATION AND GOT ONTO A HIGHWAY, THE CAR STARTED STALLING AND MAKING A VERY LOUD,HARSH NOISE. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AS CARS WERE APPROACHING AT HIGH SPEED. I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR KEPT SHUTTERING AND FINALLY LOST POWER. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH NO LUCK. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. I CONSIDER MYSELF A VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. AFTER CHECKING THE CAR AND CHANGING MANY PARTS, IT WAS DIAGNOSED. CAMSHAFT SPROCKET BOLTS SHEERED OFF CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO ENGINE. THE BOLTS AND ALUMINUM PARTICLE ENTERED THE ENGINE CYLINDERHEADS AND PISTON WITH MAJORENGINE FAILURE.

Engine
Filed Jan 13, 201885,000 milesDC

ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OF DEALERSHIP DOESN'T TAKE CARE RECAL AH08

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 201738,000 milesNJ

TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED POSTAL CARD DETAILING DEFECT OF MY CAR FROM TK HOLDINGS INC.

Engine
Filed Jun 29, 201790 milesIL

BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN LIGHTS STARTED COMING UP ON MY DASH WITH SOUND ALERTS. CAR SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES BUT WOULD RESTART WHEN I PULLED OFF THE ROAD. RIGHT CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER BOLTS BROKE IN FEB 2016, LEFT CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER BOLTS BROKE IN OCTOBER 2016 ALONG WITH EXHAUST CAMSHAFT BROKEN IN 2 PIECES AND NOW 5 BENT VALVES. 3 OF THE 5 BRIDGES RIPPED AND BROKEN THAT HOLDS THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT DOWN. ENGINE STILL OUT OF THE CAR. HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP IN TANK FAILED SINCE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP IS ON CAMSHAFT THAT WAS CONNECTED TO ADJUSTER. ANTIFREEZE ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE IN THE V OF THE ENGINE SO WATER PUMP , THERMOSTAT AND HOUSING REPLACED. MULTIPLE BOLT HEADS NOT RECOVERED FROM BROKEN CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER BOLT AND SHAVINGS FOUND IN OIL.

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Jul 29, 201465,000 milesMO

MY CAR HAS KEYLESS ENTRY TO TURN ON AND OFF IGNITION. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BUT FAILED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT WAS LEFT IN DRIVE. I WALKED AWAY FROM THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS WHERE IT HIT MY BASKETBALL POLE AND CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I THINK THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY ON THIS VEHICLE. WITH KEYED ENTRY VEHICLES YOU CAN NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE WHILE IT IS IN DRIVE AND MUST BE PLACED IN PARK TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. OTHER KEYLESS VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN SUCH AS THE AUDI A8 HAVE A FEATURE IF YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE IN DRIVE IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE PORSCHE PANAMERA, ON THE OTHER HAND, TAKES THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND PUTS IT INTO NEUTRAL SO THAT IT CAN ROLL FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHICH I BELIEVE IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. IN MY CASE, IT TOOK THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND MOVED TO NEUTRAL TO ALLOW IT TO ROLL BACKWARDS. IF THERE WAS A CHILD BEHIND MY CAR THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF DESIGN FEATURE OF KEYLESS VEHICLES THAT WOULD PUT THE CAR IN TO PARK WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF OR AT LEAST NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO ACCIDENTALLY TURN OFF THE VEHICLE WILL IN STILL IN THE DRIVE POSITION. I AM NOT SURE HOW OTHER MANUFACTURERS DEAL WITH KEYLESS ENTRY BUT I FEEL THE DESIGN OF THE PORSCHE WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Mar 10, 2014600 milesTX

ABOUT 4 OZ OF WATER STARTED POURING OUT OF EACH AIR VENT WHEN I ACCELERATED. THIS CAUSED A SHORT IN THE CENTRE BUTTON CONSOLE. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WHEN I GOT IT BACK THE CONSOLE WAS OPERATIONAL, THE AIR CONDITIONING DID NOT WORK AND THE WATER STARTED TO ACCUMULATE AGAIN. BLUETOOTH KEEPS CUTTING OUT AND DROPS CALLS. THE FIFTH (REAR) DOOR MAKES METAL TO METAL CONTACT DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE HINGE (STILL AFTER AUTO BODY WORK WAS COMPLETED BY PORSCHE). THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A LEMON AND PORSCHE NA HAS DONE NOTHING TO STEP UP THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCEPT KEPT TELLING ME TO RETURN THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. I GAVE UP AFTER MORE THAN A HALF DOZEN ATTEMPTS. *TR

9 of 9 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20210300Routine
20200100Routine
20190100Routine
20180400Routine
20170300Routine
20160300Routine
20150300Routine
20140300Routine
20130300Routine
20120400Routine
20112400Routine
2010 — this page9400Routine

Compare every Panamera 4s year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 30, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.