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Porsche MacanModel year report

2017 Porsche Macan Problems

Compared with other Porsche Macan years

More complaints than typical for this model

88/100 2.4× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2015

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
63filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
14,500miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 20 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Porsche Macan (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 Macan most often write about the front passenger airbag system: the warning lamp or passenger-airbag-off indicator lights up, and many say their vehicle was not included in the related recall campaign. Long brake pedal travel at low speed, sudden loss of power steering, and engine oil leaks from broken cover bolts are also recurring themes, along with fuel smell or leakage traced to the fuel pump flange.

  1. Air bags

    Passenger airbag warning light / seat occupancy sensor

    • 18 complaints (29%)
    • median 47,000 mi at 2.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2018–2025

    Owners report the airbag warning lamp or the passenger-airbag-off indicator staying lit or switching on and off, including when a passenger is seated. Several say the dealer diagnosed the front passenger seat occupancy sensor or module and quoted a repair in the thousands of dollars, while others say the dealer confirmed the same part is covered by a recall but that their VIN is not listed. A recurring complaint is that recall parts were unavailable for months and owners were given no repair timeline. Reported at a wide spread of mileages, from low-mileage used purchases to over 60,000 miles; several complaints concern parts availability rather than a failure the owner experienced.

    Recall 21V131000

    What to check: Ask the seller whether campaign 21V131000 was performed for this vehicle, and check that the passenger airbag indicator behaves correctly with an adult in the seat and with the seat empty.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I bought my car used this may 2019 and the passenger airbag light has stayed on indicating that it doesn't detect anyone in the seat so it won't deploy if I get in an accident. . I looked up Porsche Macan recalls. And this exact same issue has been recalled in 2015-2016 macans and 2017 Macan gts. My Macan is a turbo. I took it in to the dealer thinking I was apart of this and was told I needed to pay 2085 dollars because my specific VIN hadn't been recalled. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11271737, filed 2019-10, 47,000 miles

    “I fear a possible non-detection of front passenger. The “Airbag warning lamp” or “Passenger Airbag OFF” lamp is activated. I fear the front passenger airbag may not deploy in a type of a crash in which it is designed to deploy. My VIN is not falling under the AMA2 Recall campaign even though I feel it should be.”

    NHTSA complaint #11485602, filed 2022-09
  2. Brakes

    Long or spongy brake pedal travel at low speed

    • 8 complaints (13%)
    • median 10,400 mi at 0.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2017–2023

    Complaints describe the brake pedal travelling a long way before the brakes engage, most noticeable at low speeds in parking lots and garages, with some owners saying the pedal firms up after pumping it. Several report that dealers inspected the car and said the brakes were normal. A few describe harder-than-expected stops, and one describes the pedal sinking to the floor with a collision following. Mostly reported on low-mileage vehicles, from very recent purchases up to roughly 22,000 miles.

    What to check: Test the pedal feel at walking pace in a parking lot and ask whether the brake fluid was changed on schedule or any brake work was done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Brakes are very spongy and needs to be pumped to get improved braking. Very risky in slow speed due to no time/space to pump the brake. Several close calls during the past few months. I took the car to dealer on 5/15/17 to check. Dealer report that the brakes are normal! I understand that are many complaints by the Macan owners in the Macan forum. Please look into this safety issue.”

    NHTSA complaint #10992795, filed 2017-06, 5,800 miles

    “Porsche Macan has long brake pedal travel. Manual says one thing and reality is another. I have had car to 2 different dealers and both say it's normal-trust me it's not at all satisfactory. It's just a matter of time before I will have an accident going into garage. Going up slight incline into garage causes car to downshift and accelerate and with long brake travel receipt for disaster. Sat in 2019 Macan today and brake travel is what you would expect very little travel. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11235314, filed 2019-07, 15 miles
  3. Steering

    Power steering loss or heavy, intermittent steering

    • 6 complaints (10%)
    • typically at 5.9 yrs old
    • filed 2021–2023

    Complaints describe steering that suddenly becomes very heavy or freezes, sometimes with a power steering malfunction message, and in other cases steering that alternates between powered and manual feel. Dealers quoted by owners describe a steering rack or steering gear replacement, a rusty intermediate shaft joint, or steering torque sensor faults. Several owners mention the loss occurred while maneuvering at low speed. Mileage is not stated in most of these complaints; several occurred during parking-lot or exit maneuvers rather than at speed.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Steer lock to lock with the engine running at a standstill and listen for noises or uneven effort, and ask whether the steering rack or intermediate shaft has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Was driving in a parking lot when I lost all steering ability. Dealership said my vehicle had steering rack malfunction and the whole electronic steering gear had to be replaced. I was stuck in the middle of a parking lot blocking other cars without the ability to move out of the way. I can't imagine what would happen if someone had steering rack malfunction while driving on the highway. Definitely dangerous accidents waiting to happen or loss of lives. No warnings before this occured. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11445828, filed 2022-01

    “While driving east on I-40 in North Carolina, my power steering catastrophically failed and I had to use all of my arm strength to steer the vehicle. The section of I-40 where this event occurred is extremely curvy (near the Haywood Rest Area) and there is no margin for error. If I had not been alone and totally concentrating on my driving, I could envision a severe accident as there were cars all around me. I managed to drive the vehicle to my Porsche dealer in Columbia, SC for repairs. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11556849, filed 2023-11
  4. Engine

    Engine oil leaks from broken cover bolts

    • 5 complaints (8%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • filed 2020–2026

    Owners describe oil leaking from the timing chain cover and valve cover area, traced to cover bolts that broke, and one case of an engine that lost power with an engine control fault that dealers could not reproduce. Repair bills reported in the complaints run from about $1,000 to $3,000, and several owners say the vehicle was out of warranty when it happened. One complaint notes the dealer acknowledged a small leak but said no repair was warranted at the time. Reported from about 14,000 to over 100,000 miles, often around 20,000 to 70,000 miles, generally during routine service or when an oil smell or drip was noticed.

    What to check: Look for oil residue around the timing cover and valve cover and ask for service records showing whether these areas were inspected or repaired.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “On April 26 2021 performed routine oil change and noticed oil leaking from valve cover gasket onto side of engine. Took to Prestige Imports Inc, in Lakewood Colorado April 30th 2021, mileage is 22,851 and dealer told me: Inspect for engine oil leak, no leak present although a slight wetness is visible at valve cover, no drips present. No repairs necessary per Porsche warranty guidelines. Dealer advised me to drive car hard and return in few weeks for visual inspection. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11419063, filed 2021-05

    “Per Porsche dealer, 2 broker bolts on the timing cover causing an oil leak. Very, very expensive (thousands of dollars) to repair as vehicle is 50 months old. No recall just yet by Porsche per dealer, though has affected Porsche cars with this engine in significant numbers as is readily noted on online forums and acknowledged by dealer.”

    NHTSA complaint #11377569, filed 2020-12, 70,000 miles
  5. Fuel system

    Fuel smell or leak at the fuel pump flange

    • 5 complaints (8%)
    • typically at 9.1 yrs old
    • filed 2024–2026

    Owners report a strong gasoline smell in or around the car traced to a cracked fuel pump flange or service cover, with one describing fuel and vapor escaping beneath the rear seat. Several say the part matches the description in recall campaigns for the fuel pump flange but that their VIN was not included, and one says a prior recall repair did not stop the problem returning. Reported at mileages around 47,000 and above, and in some cases on vehicles being inspected or test driven rather than in regular use.

    Recall 20V077000Recall 17V289000

    What to check: Ask whether campaigns 17V289000 and 20V077000 were completed for the specific vehicle identification number and check for a fuel smell around the rear seat and fuel filler area.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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 completely undrivable and constitutes an immediate fire hazard. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11764383, filed 2026-09

    “I am submitting this complaint regarding a known safety issue affecting my vehicle. 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. 17V-289 (Porsche Campaign AH06), which addresses the same defect. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11698028, filed 2025-11

Buying note. For a used 2017 Macan, confirm which open campaigns apply to the specific vehicle and have a pre-purchase inspection look at the steering, brake pedal feel, and oil leaks around the timing and valve covers.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 59 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 63 consumer complaints for the 2017 Porsche Macan. 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 86% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 14,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 584 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 3 Porsche Macan model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 88 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Other or unknown (2), Seats (2), Lane departure (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “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 .. The car flashed a power steering failure.. Airbags never deployed, and my vehicle sustained over $8,000 in damages. I had asked for data report that Porsche extracted from my car with no response.”

NHTSA complaint #11131005, filed 2018-09, 15,000 miles

Brakes: “I have a 2017 base. The distance the brake peddle travels before the brakes engage seems very long. About 1/2 way down. The brakes then work fine. If I pump the brake once the peddle seem to rise to an acceptable level and the brakes seem stronger. I took it to Porsche and they said the brakes are fine. The only time I have ever encountered this before in other cars is with air in line or bad master. Has anyone else had this problem ? It takes extra time for the brakes to activate which can lead to an accident”

NHTSA complaint #10980047, filed 2017-04, 1,500 miles

Engine: “airbag light comes on and off intermittently I am aware there were some problems with the airbag sensor that year and recalls for other models, not my vin, I have called and confirmed there are none for mine. seems to act up more after or while I have a passenger so I suspect (almost positive) this is for the passenger airbag. also when I have a passenger the amber indicator that says airbag on off will randomly switch to off and I'll get the dash light. this makes me think its the airbag weight sensor pad that deteriorates easily that other cars had a recall for but not mine. …”

NHTSA complaint #11577431, filed 2024-03

Fuel system: “I went on a test drive on this car and the car caught fire from the engine. I noticed after the fact that there was a recall on the vehicle for fuel pump malfunction that can cause fire. I've contacted Porsche about 15 times and they wont return my call at all. I also stared a case with them and they wont answer back. The vehicle is completely burnt. Need assistance.”

NHTSA complaint #11407094, filed 2021-04, 47,220 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

86% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,800 and 47,000 miles.

43%0–1029%10–2514%25–5014%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 14,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

201820201220221220242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2017 Porsche Macan version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Macan AWD2.0L 4-cyl7-speed automatic202522$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2017 Porsche Macan → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 584 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 584 bulletins →

Other model years of the Porsche Macan

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20259—3—21—Too new
202410—3—21—Too new
2023670,0000—21—Too new
20226—0—19—Not enough data
202112—1—20—Not enough data
20202718,0002—2153 · TypicalStable
2019212,6901—21—Stable
20183527,0005—2247 · TypicalRising
20176314,5006—2288 · MoreStable
20162448,6001———Falling
20152859,0002——0 · FewerRising

All Porsche Macan model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Porsche Macan?

Owners of the 2017 Macan most often write about the front passenger airbag system: the warning lamp or passenger-airbag-off indicator lights up, and many say their vehicle was not included in the related recall campaign. The issues reported most often: Passenger airbag warning light / seat occupancy sensor; Long or spongy brake pedal travel at low speed; Power steering loss or heavy, intermittent steering.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Porsche Macan have?

NHTSA recorded 63 consumer complaints for the 2017 Porsche Macan as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Porsche Macan is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 21 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes with 10.

Has the 2017 Porsche Macan been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Porsche Macan get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Porsche Macan (Macan, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Porsche Macan reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 14,500 miles and the middle half falls between 5,800 and 47,000 miles; 86% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.