2018 PORSCHE Macan Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

6 complaints

The airbag light came on in the vehicle. We took it into the dealership, they said we need a passenger airbag sensor mat and seat cushion for the passenger seat airbag system. This item was recalled in 2018 Porche Macon NHTSA Campain ID 21V131000/Recall AMA2. Porche said since our VIN was not included in the recall we have to pay to fix it. They said the only way to get our VIN added was to contact NHTSA. The quote to fix an item that has been recalled was over $1,800. It doesn't seem fair to have to pay for something that has been recalled for this car and is known to be defective. The vehicle is ready for inspection anytime. The passenger safety is at risk as defined by the recall. "The air bag will not deploy during a crash if a front passenger is undetected, increasing the risk or injury." The problem first appeared last year around May 2023 and it took a while to get an appointment at the dealership. I was not aware of this recall until today when I did a Kelly Blue Book value on the vehicle. I just called Porche and they said there is nothing they can do and to contact NHTSA to get our VIN added to the recall list. Attached is the repair estimate from the Porche dealership.

Feb 24, 2024

The passenger airbag light always indicates that no one is sitting in the passenger seat even when it is occupied. This is apparently the same issue other 2018 Porsche Macan's have had but for some reason my car is not included. This is the same as the AMA2 airbag/SRS Fault - DTC B102204. recall.

Feb 05, 2024

I own a 2018 Macan GTS and the passenger airbag sensor was defective. My VIN was not covered by the NHTSA’s recall (21V131000) thought it is the same part that was defective and is the same make/model/year. I have submitted a request to Porsche for reimbursement for the repair, but they have denied my request without explanation.

Dec 05, 2023

On November 26, 2021 I brought the vehicle in for service due to an airbag warning light. The dealer informed me that the front seat passenger occupancy sensor mat was faulty and must be replaced. The dealer disconnected the seat sensor, thus removing the air bag safety protection system for front seat passenger as the instrument panel shows no occupant in front passenger seat. I have repeated called the dealer only to be told the part was on back-order, but that was four months ago. I have also reached out to Porsche and they where not helpful. My concern is, in the vent of an accident, that the front seat passengers injuries could be fatal.

Mar 14, 2022

The contact's wife owns a 2018 Porsche Macan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V131000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the parts were unavailable despite having received a letter stating otherwise. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Consumer has stated since March 24th,2022 nothing has been done.

Jan 04, 2022

+ 1 more complaint for this component

STEERING

4 complaints

Upon routine 80k service, discovered that steering wheel column loose due to faulty bushings. Individual bushings could be replaced but manufacturer insists that entire steering column needs replacement. Manufacturer should provide replacement bushings for technician to replace instead of entire column. This is simply an 8mm plastic piece!

Aug 28, 2025

The steering of the vehicle completely failed while driving. The steering column detached from the steering rack and steering the vehicle was no longer possible. There was no warning and its only by luck that nobody was killed. The defect was confirmed and repaired by the dealer. There is a single bolt that attaches the column to the rack, which if not torqued properly can fall out and lead to this complete failure of steering. I reported to incident to the manufacturer, but they have not responded to my case at all. Please also see: NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V493000 for exact same issue with different model/year. This is a much larger issue that originally thought and has a very high chance of death or injury especially for a high performance vehicle.

Nov 18, 2022

THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE IN HALF. CAR HAS ONLY 800 MILES ON IT. DEALERSHIP HAS NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE AND CLAIMS DEFECTIVE STABILIZER BAR. BEING FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THIS WAS ON A CITY STREET.

Nov 04, 2020

WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS RUBBING RUBBER SOUND OCCURS. DEALER WAS FINALLY GOING TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL. I TRADED IT AND I'M SURE THEY NEVER FOUND OR FIXED THE PROBLEM.

Jun 13, 2019

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

The leather on the dash board shrunk and the glue failed allowing the leather to buckel and block the passenger air bag top of the dash board. Porsche knows if this and refused to repair except at my costof $9,000. Also the flap of rhe dash block visibility forward

Jun 28, 2024

I’m filing this complaint because I signed a contract for the purchase of my second vehicle (a Porsche Macan 2018) using my own financing on August 23rd 2022 with a auto dealership (“Ocean Mazda”) and the auto dealership waited 3 months to submit the final required bank “Dealer Funding” document necessary for funding in order to force me to secure dealer financing. In August of 2022 I purchased 2 vehicles with Ocean Mazda of Doral, Florida. I purchased a Maserati on August 4th 2022 and a Porsche Macan on August 23rd 2022. During the time of purchasing the vehicle Ocean Mazda representatives continuously asked if i was interested in securing dealer financing instead of using my own financing for both vehicles. On August 4th 2022 i signed a contract for the purchase of a 2019 Maserati using my own financing with Ocean Mazda successfully submitting the required dealer fund bank document in order to secure funding; while continuously questioning if i was interested in deal funding throughout the process. On August 23rd 2022 i signed a contract for the purchase of a 2018 Porsche. Ocean Mazda did not submit the dealer funding document and waited 3 months in to secure dealership financing for the purchase of the vehicle. The dealership called to say that the financing fell through, and dealership financing was the only other option too sign a dealership financing agreement or return the vehicle back to Ocean Mazda; if not, then the vehicle would be report stolen. I’m filing this complaint because I signed a contract for the purchase of a vehicle using my own financing and the auto dealership waited 3 months to submit the final required bank “Dealer Funding” document necessary for funding in order to force me to secure dealer financing.

Nov 19, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

Forgot case number with Porsche it is 800053607 Porsche says car is unsafe to drive. My case number with NHTSA is 11522971

May 20, 2023

While in Dallas TX on Feb 23 2023 I took my car to dealer air bag light came on. Issue was seat belt sensor defective part number 95B 881 256 BA repair set seat occupancy sensor. Found out there are several Macan GTS 2018 same problem.

May 19, 2023

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

My vehicle is experiencing the following fuel system issue listed below in the NHTSA campaign. Porsche will not recognize my vehicle as being part of this recall issue, and this is a significant safety issue for my family. Your help in rectifying this situation would be greatly appreciated. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 20V077000 Report Date: FEB 11, 2020

Nov 02, 2024

ENGINE

1 complaint

OIl leak from "Brocken aluminum bolts" that do not hold up and are failing to hold up from basic car use. A safety recall on this manufacturing parts issue should have been mandatory back in 2015. When this issue started and Macan 2015-2022 all have this issue and are now been replaced with steel bolts. It is costing consumers $2000-$8000 in repairs do the safety issues of bad manufacturing of bolts used . [XXX] Sounds similar to the fiasco with the 958.1 gen Cayenne V8s using aluminum bolts for the Variocam adjusters in the engine which eventually resulted in a NHTSA mandated recall due to the bolt heads sometimes shearing off and causing all sorts of nastiness (my Cayenne Turbo had this recall). Of course the Cayenne's instance of using inappropriate aluminum bolts/fasteners resulted in much more serious consequences \than a just slow oil leak/seepage as is the case as its not been totally documented with the Macan V6s yet , but not good in either case. <sigh> should have recalled on all V6 MACANS also! A partial repair was done by Porsche in Sep 2023 and in [XXX] I have another oil leak from another aluminum bolt breakage . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Aug 18, 2024

TIRES

1 complaint

265/45ZR20 104Y Tire shop has been unable to balance tire since there's a defect with the brand new tire itself. Vehicle vibrates excessively at highway speeds, feels unsafe to drive. I've reached out to vendor for tire replacement and hasn't made an effort to replace tire in a timely manner. I use my vehicle everyday. Tires were purchased from tireagent.com

Jul 25, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

Rear camera and vehicle proximity sensors are not working Due A Flaw with water moisture entering the rear cabin where modules are located. This us a common problem with this vehicle.

Mar 05, 2024

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Porsche Macan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side seat belt alert was inoperable. The contact stated that while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s side seat without the seat belt buckled, the seat belt alert failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the feature was not installed in the vehicle when the vehicle was manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

Jan 22, 2024

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Porsche Macan. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle while driving and while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that fuel was leaking from the fuel pump. The dealer drained the fuel tank and replaced the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Jan 02, 2024

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I purchased this vehicle from The Collection Dealer Coral Gables, Florida. I brought the car in to have them check the brake pedal travel. It seems to me that the brake pedal response to applying the brakes is spongy or too much travel. It feels like the lines have air in them. The Service advisor says it is normal for this Macan S to feel that way. I still don't think is right. Also, it has been a few times when I am parking the car seems like it wants to accelerate all by itself and I have to apply the brakes not to go over the parking spot stopper or if inside my garage, not to go thru the wall and end up inside my living room.

Dec 20, 2021

AIR BAGS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

I cannot use my car for fearing of legal actions if I put anybody onto the front passenger seat. This recall has been on since April this year— that’s almost 5 months. I’ve contacted the Porshe dealership so many times and they still haven’t received the parts from the manufacturer.

Sep 25, 2021

STEERING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

AT ~27,000 MILES VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NOTIFICATION ON DASHBOARD STATED 'DRIVING PERMITTED'. VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH TO START OVER THE NEXT 2 DAYS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY IDENTIFIED A FUEL PUMP LEAK. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE A FEW DAYS LATER. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR OVER 40 DAYS (I STILL DO NOT HAVE IT) AND IT IS BEING FILED UNDER LEMON LAW. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE AND TEST DRIVE THE FUEL PUMPS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THE SECOND ONE ALSO LEAKED AND THE REPLACEMENTS LEAKED AS WELL PER THE REPAIR ORDER. PORSCHE IS CLAIMING THIS ISSUE IS 'FIXED' NOW BUT I DO NOT TRUST IT SINCE PER THE RECALL IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE AND BEFORE THE RECALLS ARE EVEN TAKING PLACE WHICH IS APRIL 2020. THE PROPOSED RECALL FIX ON CONSUMER REPORT DOES NOT SEEM TO ADDRESS MY SITUATION SINCE THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT THE DEALER EVEN ON MULTIPLE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE RISK IS NOT ONLY A SLUGGISH START DUE TO LOW FUEL PRESSURE BUT THERE IS A FIRE HAZARD FROM THESE LEAKS. SECONDLY THERE IS A STEERING COLUMN KNOCK AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND/OR FRAME AND/OR FRONT AXLE EVERY-TIME I TURN THE VEHICLE RIGHT OR LEFT WHILE GOING UP OR DOWN A HILL OR OVER A SPEED BUMP <10MPH. THIS HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNING THE VEHICLE AND HAS GOTTEN LOUDER OVER TIME AND MORE APPARENT AS I CAN FEEL THE ISSUE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT FROM THE RUBBING/VIBRATION OR WHATEVER IS CAUSING THE NOISE. I CAN ALSO FEEL A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS TOO. DEALER HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT CLAIMING 'UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE CONDITION' 4 TIMES NOW OVER THE COURSE OF 2 YEARS. I RE-CREATED THE CONDITION FEBRUARY 17TH 2020 WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND HAVE IT DOCUMENTED IN THE REPAIR ORDER. THIS IS ALSO STILL NOT FIXED.

Mar 26, 2020

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

2018 PORSCHE MACAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DIM LIGHTING SETTING BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS APPEARED TO BE POINTING IN A DOWNWARD POSITION. *J'S

Aug 23, 2019

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I PURCHASED THIS PORSCHE MACAN BASIC MODEL FROM A PORSCHE DEALERSHIP IN DESTIN IN OCT 2018 WITH 4,000 MILES, CERTIFIED PRE OWNED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TOO MUCH PEDAL TRAVEL. I HAVE TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TO FAR BEFORE I FEEL THE BRAKES ENGAGE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. ON MAR 29, 2019 I'M GOING TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 3RD TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE WENT ONLINE AND DID A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THERE'S SEVERAL FORUMS WITH THIS SAME BASE MODEL MACAN WITH THE SAME PEDAL TRAVEL ISSUE. ALTHOUGH THIS CAR IS NOT THE 440 HP TURBO MODEL MACAN, IT HAS 250 HP AND IT NEEDS TO HAVE BETTER BRAKES THAN IT HAS. THAT IS WHY I'M WRITING THIS TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION INCASE NO ONE HAS DONE THIS YET. I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE BRAKES DON'T WORK, I'M SAYING THERE'S TOO MUCH PEDAL TRAVEL BEFORE THEY ENGAGE AND IT'S SCARY WHEN I PUSH ON THE BRAKES AND THEY TRAVEL TOO FAR BEFORE THEY ENGAGE.

Mar 18, 2019

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4.4/5.0

47 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2018 PORSCHE Macan have?

The 2018 PORSCHE Macan currently has 25 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2018 PORSCHE Macan?

The most common problems reported for the 2018 PORSCHE Macan are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2018 PORSCHE Macan problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2018 PORSCHE Macan comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.