VehicleVerdict

2016 Porsche Panamera problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 2016 Porsche Panamera — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Panamera years?

Panamera NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted50 complaints2010: 5 complaints2011: 50 complaints2012: 16 complaints2013: 18 complaints2014: 22 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 4 complaints2017: 1 complaints2018: 16 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 6 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 6 complaints2024: 4 complaints2025: 4 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Panamera NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Panamera years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Porsche Panamera problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes125%
Lighting125%
Transmission125%
Visibility & Wipers125%

Does the 2016 Porsche Panamera have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V656000LightingAugust 30, 2022 · 222,858 units

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."

Consequence

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.

19V533000AirbagsJuly 17, 2019 · 7,517 units

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.

Consequence

Deactivated air bags increase the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.

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.

19V446000TransmissionJune 12, 2019 · 99,665 units

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.

Consequence

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.

19V322000Electrical SystemApril 24, 2019 · 33,206 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 15, 2019

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 10, 2022

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 4, 2020 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 4, 2020 · crash

2016 Porsche Panamera — common questions

Is the 2016 Porsche Panamera reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2016 Porsche Panamera have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Porsche Panamera. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Porsche Panamera years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Panamera years to avoid are 2011, 2018, 2017. The cleanest record among Panamera years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.