2021 Porsche Panamera Problems and Complaints

Senior Editor,

Updated on March 23, 2023

The Porsche Panamera was built to be like every other Porsche, fantastic to drive with no compromise on handling or luxury, albeit with one difference – it had to be no higher than their signature 911 and had to seat four passengers. The result was a car with an unmistakably Porsche DNA- the iconic front fascia and the familiar but slightly questionable sloping roof design. With the Panamera, Porsche blurred the lines between an ultra-luxurious business saloon and a terrific sports coupe.

The 2021 Porsche Panamera, compared to the previous iteration, has been tweaked ever so slightly with respect to the exterior design and has some cabin upgrades as well. The Panamera is the only non-electric, non-SUV Porsche that can comfortably accommodate more than two passengers. That translates to increased competition from other luxury carmakers against multiple vehicles like coupes, sedans, and sports wagons. To counter this, Porsche has a multitude of powertrain choices for the 2021 Panamera – a comprehensive list that includes a turbocharged 2.9L V6 engine, a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine, and even a hybrid arrangement. The variations are also incorporated in body style – you can either opt for the sloping hatchback or the slightly more elegant wagon design.

2021 Porsche Panamera User Complaints and Problems

Engine and Mechanical Problems

Broken valve springs - Multiple instances of the vehicle experiencing misfiring, loss of power, and subsequently entering limp mode or emergency drive mode after reduced power availability warnings, were reported. The root cause was determined to be faulty valve springs which tended to break after around 300 miles.
Fuel delivery - In some cases, a check engine light was seen to be illuminated due to Digital Motor Electronics (DME) faults along with engine misfires. Closer inspection showed that the vapor lock in the fuel delivery system was responsible for a loss of fuel pressure, causing this issue.
Transmission - Few concerns regarding a rough operation of the PDK gearbox with a mismatch between engine and transmission revolutions at low vehicle mileage were brought to notice. This was assured by Porsche to be common during the adaption phase of the gearbox.
Coolant pump - A faulty coolant pump caused due to a malfunctioning change-over valve within it resulted in a warning message indicating high coolant temperature.
Steering column - Several complaints were reported wherein the electric steering column could not be adjusted vertically. A faulty servo motor due to particle deposits within it was seen to be the reason.

Safety Problems

Front camera - Several owners reported the unavailability of camera-based driver assistance systems. Porsche explained that a front camera could not be fitted in those units owing to the worldwide semiconductor bottlenecks at the time. Retrofitting of front cameras after production was the remedial action taken.
Reversing camera - Multiple owners complained about a cloudy image of the reversing camera view on the PCM screen due to fogging and water seepage on the camera lens.

Exterior Problems

Exhaust flap actuator - A defective actuator for an exhaust flap led to complaints regarding a rattling noise from the rear of the vehicle.

Electrical Problems

Wheel electronics - Few owners commented on receiving the message ‘Fault monitoring tire pressure – Service necessary’ on the instrument cluster. Further investigation indicated that incorrectly calibrated processors in the wheel electronics for the Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) system were the reason for the error.
High-voltage battery charging - Issues regarding an inability to charge or automatic shutdown of the charging process along with error messages were occasionally noticed. This issue was limited to the hybrid powertrain variants.
Warning messages - Cases of an unnecessary red warning message in the instrument cluster that showed that the occupant's seat belt was not fastened despite all seat belts being fastened were observed.

Miscellaneous Problems

Key Fob - A complaint demanded that more than one key fob must be provided to the owners. Concerns regarding uncertainty and owner helplessness in the event of loss of a key fob or when it gets mistakenly locked within the car were raised.

2021 Porsche Panamera Recalls

S. No	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks	Remedy
1.	August 4, 2021	21V608000	Seat belt locking retractor malfunction.	There is a possibility for the seat belt automatic locking retractors to deactivate earlier than ideally supposed to. Such a failure to properly secure the child restraint system can increase the likelihood of injury during an accident.	Inspection of the seat belt assemblies will be carried out by the dealers and free replacements will be provided, where deemed necessary. Notification letters were mailed to concerned owners on October 1, 2021.
2.	May 17, 2021	21V362000	Front lower trailing arms not forged correctly.	The durability of the front lower trailing arms on certain units has been affected by a failure to forge them as per the specification. In the event of fracture, the vehicle could experience a potential deterioration or loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.	The front lower trailing arms will be replaced by the dealers at no extra cost. Notification letters were mailed to concerned owners on October 1, 2021.

Should you buy the 2021Porsche Panamera?

The 2021 Porsche Panamera occupies an exceptionally distinctive spot in the market armed with multiple variants catering to enthusiasts who seek unparalleled driving dynamics and daily drivers who prefer comfort and luxury. With impeccable build quality, a definitive style quotient, and enough power to put sports cars to shame, the 2021 Porsche Panamera is an absolute winner. It stands out from the crowd both with an unadulterated pace on the road and sheer opulence within the cabin. Depending on the powertrain that takes your liking and on the options that you tick, the amount that you will have to part with will vary significantly.