Home · 2016 Porsche Macan S · Complaints

What 29 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Porsche Macan S

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (29)Crash / fire / injury (1)Airbags (13)Engine (4)Steering (4)Brakes (2)Driver assistance (2)Electrical system (2)Seat belts (2)Speed control (2)Visibility & wipers (2)Body & structure (1)

Newest first · 29 complaints · page 1 of 2

Nov 9, 2025Engine

Y shaped plastic Coolant line cracks and leaks do to manufactures poor choice of materials! Resulting in engine overheating, and sever loss of coolant! Spraying entire engine compartment under hood white dried up coolant over spay spots with empty coolant reservoir and no heat. You would think that line would be made from an aluminum as it beads to with stand high heat temperatures from being against and engine.

NHTSA ODI 11698440

Oct 15, 2025Electrical system

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Porsche Macan S with approximately 130,000 miles on the odometer. The contact later obtained a Carfax report on the vehicle and discovered that the last odometer reading was at 190,000. The vehicle was a private dealer sale. The seller was contacted regarding the discrepancy. No further information was available.

NHTSA ODI 11693578

Oct 6, 2025

Oil leak from Timming Cover, make oil smoking burn strong smell in to the cabin. My kids feel not good when breathing evrytime when they on the car.

NHTSA ODI 11691666

Aug 15, 2025Engine

Coolant Y pipe leak

NHTSA ODI 11680970

Jul 16, 2025SteeringSuspensionDriver assistance

The steering felt loose as if the car can loose control

NHTSA ODI 11673849

May 9, 2025Airbags

Porsche dashboard leather shrunk and staples pulled out. I was told that if the vehicle was in an accident the airbag might not deploy correctly. The Porsche dealer said it needs replacing. This is a VERY COMMON issue and Porsche is not recalling to fix. Please investigate and make Porsche correct this serious issue. Thank You

NHTSA ODI 11659916

Oct 17, 2024SteeringSpeed controlDriver assistance

Vehicle speeds up and breaks uncontrollably. When stopped it displays several codes on the dashboard 1) power steering fail, increased effort, driving permitted, 2) GRA/ACC fault driving permitted 3) faulty windshield wipers No fault codes are found with a code reader.

NHTSA ODI 11620491

Jul 29, 2024AirbagsSeat belts

The contact owns a 2016 Porsche Macan S. The contact stated that the passenger's side seat failed to detect while the seat was occupied. The air bag off warning light was illuminated, and the passenger's side seat belt failed to chime while the seat belt was not buckled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11605086

Jun 26, 2024Airbags

My Porsche Service Center advised that the front passenger airbag sensor of my 2016 Porsche Macan Turbo is not functioning properly. The identified fault was: Airbag (variant 002) B12251B "Seat occupancy sensor on passenger side (BOSE) - resistance too high" I have been advised that NHTSA has issued two recalls on this problem. My Porsche Service Center has advised that the originally installed passenger side occupancy sensor was replaced pursuant to one of the recalls. Despite the same problem affecting the presently installed passenger side occupancy sensor, my Porsche Service Center has advised that it is not subject to a recall. It has proposed repairing the sensor at a cost to me of $3,124.23. I believe that the repair should be conducted under the terms of the prior recalls, since the presently installed passenger side occupancy sensor is clearly defective.

NHTSA ODI 11597013

Jul 15, 2023Brakes

Front brake hoses rub between the steering knuckle and the suspension fork resulting in hose rupture and brake failure. Wear on the hose is visible on both sides.

NHTSA ODI 11532435

Feb 23, 2023Airbags

The contact owns a 2016 Porsche Macan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V131000 (Air Bags) 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11508784

Dec 17, 2022Steering

My 2016 Porsche Macan Turbo steering column failed w/o warning at 7 years & 39,000 miles. November 2022. Porsche Dealer told me car is not safe to drive with steering column able to move up & down. So, I had to pay to have it towed to the dealer. PCNA denied Goodwill coverage of this manufacturing defect! The Service Manager offered to cover 50% & I accepted this offer. So, I had to pay out of pocket $1,643.50. It is not normal for steering columns to fail. The Porsche shop foreman said he has never seen this. Steering columns should last the life of the car.

NHTSA ODI 11497891

Nov 29, 2022Brakes

Brake line has ruptured and complete failure of brakes. This is due to faulty rubber securing grommet that has become detached from the brake line, allowing the line to rub against the strut tower. Your driver front brake line has ruptured, and your passenger brake line is wearing thin and likely to follow suit and rupture soon.

NHTSA ODI 11495307

Feb 18, 2022AirbagsSeats

I need to replace or dismiss this so i can list my car on turo.

NHTSA ODI 11452771

Jan 11, 2022Airbags

A SAFETY RECALL NHTSA ID 21V-131 WAS ISSUED FOR OUR VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2021 INVOLVING AIRBAG SENSORS FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE DEALER ADDRESS THIS RECALL HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE LAST COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEALERSHIP INDICATES PORSCHE HAS PUT A HOLD ON THE REMEDY. WE ARE OBVIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THOSE RIDING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA ODI 11447024

Sep 24, 2021Airbags

A recall was issued for my vehicle in April of 2021. I have contacted my dealer several times to have this repaired, but have been told that the parts are not available. Last time I inquired, i was told to contact Porsche of North America directly regarding the availability of parts. I attempted to do so, but was told that I need to contact the dealer. As the recall relates to possible non-deployment of the passenger airbag, i feel that this issue needs to be addressed more expediently.

NHTSA ODI 11434180

Aug 18, 2021Airbags

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Porsche Macan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V131000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11429621

Jul 7, 2021Airbags

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Porsche Macan S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V131000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not available. 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.

NHTSA ODI 11423813

Feb 1, 2021Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PORSCHE MACAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.

NHTSA ODI 11390945

Jan 19, 2021AirbagsEngine

I WAS INFORMED AT MY LAST SERVICE THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR REPLACED AND ALSO MY TIMING CHAIN COVER IS LEAKING OIL. I NOTICED ON NHTSA WEBSITE THAT BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE DOCUMENTED. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR SIMILAR 2016 MACAN'S BUT MY VIN ISN'T LISTED. PART 573 SAFETY RECALL REPORT 17V-133. THERE IS ALSO A MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION (#D2000.1)RELATING TO THE OIL LEAK. NHTSA ID # 10182254. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS AND UNCLEAR WHY THEY SHOULDN'T BE COVERED BY PORSCHE WHEN THEY ARE DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11388915

Oct 21, 2020Lights

HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE GETTING THOUSANDS OF SPIDER TYPE CRACKS ALL OVER THE LENSES, DIMINISHING HEADLAMP LIGHT OUTPUT. CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 39,750 MILES. MANY OWNERS HAVING SAME ISSUE. PICTURES DO NOT SHOW THAT THE LENSE BECOMES 'WHITISH' DUE TO FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11365559

Oct 14, 2020Seat beltsSpeed control

THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR MAT HAS FAILED AT 48K MILES. TAKEN TO DEALER THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER MACANS OF THIS YEAR, BUT THIS VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL. RECALL # 17V133.

NHTSA ODI 11364300

Mar 1, 2020Engine

THE EMERGENCY INDICATOR CAME ON WHILE I WAS OPERATING MY CAR. IT SAYS THE CAR IS TOO HOT. PULL OVER TO COOL DOWN' WHILE DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY. NO PRIOR INDICATION BEFORE THIS WARNING. WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOOD WHEN I PULLED OVER OFF THE HIGHWAY. THEN, INDICATOR SAYS 'LOW COOLANT. FILL COOLANT.'

NHTSA ODI 11315474

Feb 24, 2020Airbags

CAR HAS JUST PASSED 60,000 MILES AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. I TOOK IT FOR AN INSPECTION AT THE PORSCHE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE SEAT CUSHION, ALONG WITH THE MODULE THAT COMES WITH IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT I WANT TO REPORT. I DO NOT NORMALLY SIT IN THE PASSENGER, NOR HAVE PASSENGERS. UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS THE SEAT LIGHT SHOWING AIRBAG ISN'T WORKING THE RIGHT WAY. I DID MY RESEARCH AND FOUND IN 2017 WHICH IS RIGHT AFTER MY MODEL HAD CAME OUT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT JUST NOT FOR MY VIN. I WOULD LIKE PORSCHE TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS MATTER BECAUSE THAT IS COMPLETELY A FACTORY AND SAFETY ISSUE THEREFORE I RECKON A RECALL UPON IT. THE DEALER FILED A CASE FOR ME THAT DAY BUT I WAS LATER REFUSED. THE REP RESPONDED THIS ISSUE WON'T ONLY AFFECT ANYONE WHO ISN'T AN ADULT... WHICH MEANS IF YOU'RE A MINOR OR A TEEN SITTING IN THAT SEAT IT WOULD COST SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN IN ANY ACCIDENT?

NHTSA ODI 11310999

Jan 17, 2020Body & structure

I OBESERVED CRACKS IN MY SUNROOF UNDER FROST CONDITIONS. CRACKS ARE PRESENT IN BOTH THE STATIONARY PORTION OF THE SUNROOF AS WELL AS THE MOVING COMPONENT. DURING EXTREME COLD WEATHER I FURTHER OBSERVED THAT THE ENRIRE INTERIOR OF THE SUNROOF WAS COVERED IN HEAVY CONDENSATION. I REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER WHO RESUFES TO HELP. I KNOW THAT MY CAR WAS BASED ON THE AUDI Q5 PLATFORM WHILE HAD A SIMILAR RECALL IN 2012 FOR DEFECTIVE SUNROOFS UNDER EXTREME COLD WEATHER. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THESE RELATED.

NHTSA ODI 11300153

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Working with the data? Download all 29 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Porsche Macan S verdict →