Last updated: 2026-10-10
2018 Porsche Macan Reliability Report
The 2018 Porsche Macan rates well below average among 2018 SUVs, with passenger airbag sensor faults and 13 recalls leading its problems.
Recalls
13
Complaints
29
Complaint Rate
12.6per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$1265
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,150–$3,650
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
The weakest of the eight scored Macan years, with passenger airbag sensor faults, steering complaints, oil leaks, and 13 recalls.
Top Issues to Watch
- AIR BAGS (7)
- STEERING (6)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2018 is 2 years after the 2016 update refresh.
- Year 4 in the First generation (95B; 2014) (2015–2026).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 1st generation Macan (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2015: First generation (95B; 2014) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2016: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2018: This Model Year
2018 is 2 years after the 2016 update refresh.
2019: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2021: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2018 Porsche Macan?
Think twice about this one. Among 2018 SUVs it rates well below average, and it is the weakest of the eight scored Macan years. Independent repair-cost data puts the Macan at about $1265 a year to keep running, against $859 for its class. That figure covers the whole model, not just this year. The 2019 rates better, with 10 complaints and 2 recalls against 29 complaints and 13 recalls here.
Air bag trouble leads the complaints. The warning light comes on and the passenger occupancy sensor stops detecting a person, which can leave the passenger airbag switched off. Owners describe waiting months for parts, and some say their VIN was left out of the recall, so they were quoted over $1,800. One steering report describes a loose link between column and rack ending steering control while driving. Others report headlights dying at night with no dash alert, and oil leaks from timing cover gaskets that owners put at $2000-$8000 to fix.
Run the VIN for open recalls before buying. Ask for records of any airbag sensor, steering, and engine gasket work. If the 2019 fits the budget, it is the safer pick.
Compared to the 2019 Porsche Macan, which scored 7 points higher.
Pros
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
- +Well-established generation
- +Only 29 complaints reported
Cons
- −Below-average reliability score
- −Above-average repair costs for its class
- −Frequent unscheduled repairs
- −Above-average recall count
Compare 2018 Porsche Macan With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 13 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- AIR BAGS (7)
- STEERING (6)
Recall Overview
13
recalls on record
The 2018 Porsche Macan has 13 recalls on record, which is above average. A high count can flag multiple component concerns, though it also shows the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
12.6
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 27.1
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2018 Porsche Macan Recall Details
13 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Porsche Macan. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Macan vehicles. The fuel pump service cover may contact the flow nozzle on the filter flange of the fuel pump, potentially causing cracks and a fuel leak.
Consequence
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Porsche will rework or replace and apply a protective film to the fuel pump flange. in addition, the fuel pump flange will be inspected and replaced if cracks are present. The recall began April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ALA2.
SEAT BELTS
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Macan S, 2017-2020 Macan, 2017 Panamera Turbo, 2018 and 2020 Macan Turbo and Panamera 4, 2018 Macan Sport Edition, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, and 2019 Panamera 4 Sport Turismo vehicles. The screw that attaches the lower seat belt anchor to the seat frame on the outboard rear seats may not have been tightened properly.
Consequence
An improperly tightened seat belt anchor can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace and tighten the lower rear outboard seat belt anchor screws, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2023. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is APA9.
AIR BAGS
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Macan, Macan Turbo Kits, Macan GTS, 2015-2018 Macan S, and Macan Turbo vehicles. The front passenger seat occupancy sensor mat may degrade and fail to detect a passenger in the front seat.
Consequence
The air bag will not deploy during a crash if a front passenger is undetected, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor mat and seat cushion, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMA2.
Buying a used 2018 Porsche Macan? Check its history first
Air bags problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Porsche Macan, and 13 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2018 Porsche Macan NHTSA Safety Ratings
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 0.0%
Safety Technologies
Porsche MacanRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
1.5Maintenance rating: 1.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$1265
vs $859 avg for luxury compact SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
1.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
20%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
19–22 MPG
Running cost: $4,400–$4,900/yr
Fuel + repair
17–20 city / 23–25 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macan 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,150 |
| Macan GTS 3.0L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,650 |
| Macan S 3.0L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,650 |
| Macan Turbo 3.6L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,650 |
| Macan Turbo Kit 3.6L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,650 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Porsche Macan.
Seat an adult in the front passenger seat and confirm the passenger airbag indicator shows occupied and the airbag light stays off.
Have a Porsche dealer run the VIN for open recalls and confirm whether the passenger occupancy sensor mat was replaced.
With the car parked, rock the steering wheel up, down, and sideways and check for play or clunks in the column.
Turn the wheel lock to lock at parking speed and listen for rubbing or grinding noises.
Look under the engine and around the timing covers for oil residue, and check the oil pan for wet spots.
Inspect the top of the dashboard for shrunken, lifting, or buckled leather near the passenger airbag.
Test the rear camera and parking sensors, and check the rear cargo area for dampness or water stains.
Switch on the headlights, low and high beam, and confirm both work steadily with no flicker.
2018 Porsche Macan Common Problems by Component
29 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
AIR BAGS
7 complaintsThe airbag warning light comes on and the passenger occupancy sensor stops detecting a person in the front seat. That can leave the passenger airbag switched off. Most reports describe waiting months for a recall repair because the dealer has no parts. Some owners say the dealer disconnected the sensor while the part was on back-order. Others say their VIN was left out of the recall even though their cars showed the same fault, so they were quoted to pay for the repair themselves, in one case over $1,800.
STEERING
6 complaintsA loose connection between the steering column and the steering rack can end steering control while driving, according to one report. That is the most serious failure here. Other reports describe a front stabilizer bar breaking at 800 miles, a steering column loosened by worn bushings found at an 80k service, and a rubbing noise in slow turns. A few complaints filed in this group actually describe a leaking fuel pump, a spongy brake pedal, and unwanted creeping while parking.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 complaintsHeadlights go out without warning while driving at night, leaving the road dark and no alert on the dash. Owners also report the rear camera and proximity sensors failing after moisture gets into the rear cabin, where the modules sit. Airbag warning lights linked to a faulty seat occupancy sensor show up here as well, matching the air bag complaints. A sudden headlight failure at night is a real crash risk.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaintsDashboard leather shrinks and its glue lets go. The leather then buckles over the passenger airbag area on top of the dash and blocks part of the forward view. The owner reports the manufacturer refused to cover it and quoted $9,000 to fix it. The other complaint in this group is about a dealer financing dispute and has nothing to do with how the car performs.
ENGINE (2 complaints)
ENGINE
2 complaintsOil leaks out and coats the engine compartment and oil pan. Owners trace the leaks to failed timing cover gaskets and to aluminum bolts that break in normal use, which some say are now replaced with steel bolts. Dealers reportedly call it a known failure, but owners whose VINs are not under recall get no help from the manufacturer. Owners put repair costs at $2000-$8000.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintI 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaint2018 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
FUEL SYSTEM (1 complaints)
FUEL SYSTEM
1 complaintThe 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.
SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)
SEAT BELTS
1 complaintThe 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.
TIRES (1 complaints)
TIRES
1 complaint265/45ZR20 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
Best & Worst Porsche Macan Years
Best Porsche Macan Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scorePorsche Macan Years to Avoid
2018
(Current Model)
Porsche Macan Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 57/100 | Mixed |
| 2019 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 62/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 59/100 | Mixed |
| 2022 | 65/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 65/100 | Good |
Porsche Macan Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Porsche Macan reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Porsche Macan?
Does the 2018 Porsche Macan have airbag problems?
How many recalls does the 2018 Porsche Macan have?
Is the 2019 Porsche Macan more reliable than the 2018?
Don’t buy a 2018 Porsche Macan without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2018 Porsche Macan
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Porsche Macan does best on how many systems draw complaints (82/100) and worst on repair costs (30/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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