Porsche Panamera 2016-2023 Reliability & Common Problems

Is the Porsche Panamera reliable?

Overall, the second-generation Panamera is a reliable, well-built luxury GT, hence reliability shouldn't be a cause for concern. Being a Porsche, running costs are high, especially if you get your car serviced or repired at a main dealer.

That said, there are plenty if reputable independent specialist which can carry out high standard repairs for a more reasonable fee.

Gearbox: Take a long test drive to run the car up through the gears. Rough shifting, jerkiness or a delay in the engagement of a gear could spell issues with the PDK automatic ‘box. The cause can vary (internal sensor, control module, clutch).

Suspension: Be wary of any car fitted with air suspension. Any leaks can cause it to sag or sit lower than normal. Faulty air compressors can also cause the suspension to inflate or deflate infrequently.

Other things to watch out for are a broken height sensor, blocked valves or a busted control module. Just one new air strut can exceed £1000.

Engine: A drop in coolant level or engine overheating could mean that the coolant expansion tank or water pump has failed. A new water pump can cost between £200 and £350.

Overheating at idle is typically caused by a broken auxiliary coolant pump. A new one costs between £70 and £200.

Electrics: A frozen infotainment system, screen or audio malfunction are all common examples of electrical and software gremlins. Updating the car’s software regularly can prevent this.

An owner’s view

Andrew palmer: “I’ve owned four Panameras, among most alternatives, like BMW M5s and Audi RS6s – my current one being a 2023 Turbo S E-Hybrid. The Panamera is the best all-around car I’ve come across and I’d describe its defining characteristic as composure: it makes every competitor seem too harsh or busy or too soft; you can sense its Bentley GT underpinnings. The driving position is tremendous and the PDK gearbox is snappy and smooth. Road noise is quite loud because of the wide tyres, and I’ve had a few issues with the climate controls. Listen out for a rattle from the panoramic roof and creaky front suspension.”

Also worth knowing

You can take your Panamera to your nearest Porsche dealer for a 111-point inspection of its exterior, interior, engine and more, and if it passes, you will be able to buy a Porsche Approved Warranty.

Service and maintenance costs are high, especially if you go via a main dealer. A 60,000-mile or six-year service can cost around £2000-£3000.

Sam Phillips

Title: Staff Writer

Sam joined the Autocar team in summer 2024 and has been a contributor since 2021. He is tasked with writing used reviews and first drives as well as updating top 10s and evergreen content on the Autocar website.

He previously led sister-title Move Electric, which covers the entire spectrum of electric vehicles, from cars to boats – and even trucks. He is an expert in new car news, used cars, electric cars, microbility, classic cars and motorsport.

Sam graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2021 with a BA in Journalism. In his final year he produced an in-depth feature on the automotive industry’s transition to electric cars and interviewed a number of leading experts to assess our readiness for the impending ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars.

Matt Saunders

Title: Road test editor

As Autocar’s chief car tester and reviewer, it’s Matt’s job to ensure the quality, objectivity, relevance and rigour of the entirety of Autocar’s reviews output, as well contributing a great many detailed road tests, group tests and drive reviews himself.

Matt has been an Autocar staffer since the autumn of 2003, and has been lucky enough to work alongside some of the magazine’s best-known writers and contributors over that time. He served as staff writer, features editor, assistant editor and digital editor, before joining the road test desk in 2011.

Since then he’s driven, measured, lap-timed, figured, and reported on cars as varied as the Bugatti Veyron, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Tesla Roadster, Ariel Hipercar, Tata Nano, McLaren Senna, Renault Twizy and Toyota Mirai. Among his wider personal highlights of the job have been covering Sebastien Loeb’s record-breaking run at Pikes Peak in 2013; doing 190mph on derestricted German autobahn in a Brabus Rocket; and driving McLaren’s legendary ‘XP5’ F1 prototype. His own car is a trusty Mazda CX-5.