Used Porsche Panamera 2016-2023 reliability
Category: Luxury car
The Porsche Panamera is comfortable, luxurious and fun to drive, and a good but pricey used buy, too.
What should I look for in a used Porsche Panamera hatchback?
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.
The Panamera feels and looks very well made, but it’s still worth checking that all the electrical items work as they should, including the seats, and looking at the operation of the rear tailgate.
What are the most common problems with a used Porsche Panamera hatchback?
On the whole, reported problems are few, although the car was the subject of several recalls in the UK. Check with you local dealer that all remedial work has been carried out.
Porsche recalled 197 Panameras over concerns about the connecting links on the rear axle anti-roll bar. The issue can lead to excessive noise and an activated yellow warning light.
On the affected vehicles it is possible that the screw connection of the seat belt mount to the rear left and/or right seat was not carried out by the specifications.
On affected vehicles, there is a possibility of humidity ingress into the control unit for the auxiliary pump of the climate control system. This can cause malfunctions which can 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.
On the affected vehicles it is 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.
The required display logic of the brake wear indicator is incorrect.
Emission values may be higher than expected.
Brake pad wear warning light function is incorrect.
There is a possibility the clamp between the particle filter and the front exhaust pipe is not closed fully due to an unfavourable tolerance pairing.The particle filter could become detached from the exhaust pipe when travelling over bumps for example. This can then cause exhaust gas to leak out and rattling noises. If this happens the customer will notice an exhaust smell and the pre-mentioned noise.
The electric power steering harness could become trapped and damaged.
Electric power steering may be unavailable.
Is a used Porsche Panamera hatchback reliable?
The Panamera didn’t feature in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey but its sibling, the Porsche Cayenne SUV, did. it finished first out of six cars in the luxury car segment, with a great score of 98.7%. This is what Cayenne owners said.
Reliability rating 98.7%
What went wrong? Non-engine electrics 6%
Luxury SUVs are tech-laden and often suffer more woes than other types of car, but the Porsche Cayenne bucks this trend with a near-perfect reliability record. Only 6% of Cayennes in our survey went wrong, and all remedial work was done for free. The only blot on the model’s reliability copybook is that all affected cars were off the road for a week or longer.
Porsche as a brand finished in 20th place out of 32 car makers in our 2023 What Car Reliability Survey. Unlike some brands, Porsche’s warranty isn’t limited by mileage, but it does end after three years unless you extend it at extra cost.
Used Porsche Panamera: owners' reliability data
As part of our 2023 Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said the Porsche Panamera has shown mixed reliability. Owners reported various issues, particularly with the car’s complex electronics. Problems included malfunctioning infotainment systems, issues with sensors, and occasional warning lights that required dealer attention. Additionally, some readers experienced faults with the hybrid system, which were costly to repair.
Dealer service received mixed reviews. While some owners praised the knowledgeable staff and efficient service, others were less satisfied, citing long wait times for repairs and high costs. A few readers felt that communication from dealerships could be improved, particularly regarding the time required for repairs and the costs involved. Despite these concerns, some owners noted that once repairs were completed, their Panameras returned to a reliable state.
