AI Damage2017 Porsche Macan: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Porsche Macan filed 63 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and service brakes. The maker issued 542 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 63
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 542
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 33% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 21 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Service brakes: 10 complaints (16% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Engine: 8 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 73.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 7 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Steering: 6 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.6 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 63 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 21 | 1 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 3 | 14 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 73 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 | 8 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 116 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 26 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 29 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving at approximately 40 mph, traffic began to slow. When I attempted to slow to match traffic conditions, my brake pedal offered almost no resistance and sank to the floor. The car did not slow. I pumped the brake pedal repeatedly but it had no connection to the cars brakes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 porsche macan. While driving less than 5 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed through the wall in the contact's garage. The vehicle entered the living quarters of his home. There was no injuries.
Was pulling into a parking lane, at a shopping center with my foot on the brake, ready to put the vehicle in park, when the car suddenly felt as if it locked down brakes failed and the engine accelerated out of my control head on into another vehicle parked across a divider. I had no control of steering or brakes ..
My vehicle is currently leaking raw gasoline and active smoke is coming out from the fuel pump assembly directly beneath the rear passenger seat. This is the exact, identical catastrophic failure mechanism outlined in federal safety recalls NHTSA Campaign 20V077000 (Recall ALA2) and 17V-289 (Recall AH06).My vehicle is…
My 2017 Porsche Macan has a Timing Chain Cover Bolt Failure which has caused leaking oil and may lead to total loss of oil and engine failure. This is a known documented design and manufacturing defect affecting the 3.0L and 3.6L engines.
This is very unfair and makes me think that everytime it rains i cant drive my car because ill have to spend another 1k for a rear camera and parking sensor fail. I hope i can get any kind of help or visibility on this problem.
I own a 2017 Porsche [2017 Macan GTS ], and I recently discovered that the fuel pump flange on my car has developed cracks, causing a noticeable fuel odor and potential fuel leakage. This component matches the description of the part listed under NHTSA Recall No.
Headlight severe crazing/crackle and DLR module failure. Both Porsche NA and extended warranty fail to cover or take responsibility for this poorly mfr’d part that is dangerous as it limits visibility as well as others seeing you. I want Porsche NA to own up to this hazardous parts failure.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 773 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 37% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Macan has 16 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 63, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q3 2026 Software Spec Update Available
- Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C40 Engine Oils
Note that this bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C40 engine oils are allocated.
- Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C20 Engine Oils
Note that the bulletin covers all models back to model year 1984, for which C20 engine oils are allocated.
- Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche C30 Engine Oils
Note that the bulletin includes all models back to model year 1984, for which C30 engine oils are allocated.
- Manufacturer's Certificate for Overview of Approved Porsche A40 Engine Oils
Note that this bulletin covers all vehicles from model year 1997 to 2020, for which A40 engine oils are assigned. Model years 1997-2001 are not available for selection in the system.
- Technical Information for Damage to Nano Plug Contacts Due to Utilization of Incorrect Measuring Equipment
- Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers
- Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available
- Product Knowledge for Model Type Designations
- Product Knowledge for Chassis/VIN Numbering Systems
- Allocation of Approved Engine Oils MY 2027 (13/26)
- Non-Deletable Fault Memory Entries for Clutch Slip/Speed Adjuster in Transmission Electronics (PDK)…
Non-Deletable Fault Memory Entries for Clutch Slip/Speed Adjuster in Transmission Electronics (PDK) Control Unit After Repair (26/26)
NHTSA lists 542 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Porsche Macan?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, service brakes, engine. Total complaints: 63. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (8%), fuel system, fuel smell (8%), headlights and tail lights (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Porsche Macan?
NHTSA lists 542 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Porsche Macan from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.