Last updated: 2026-10-10

2021 Porsche Macan
RELIABILITY SCORE: 59/100 (MIXED)

2021 Porsche Macan Reliability Report

The 2021 Porsche Macan has mixed reliability, well below other 2021 SUVs, and carries a do-not-drive suspension recall.

Recalls

1

Complaints

8

Complaint Rate

3.6per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$1265

Annual Fuel Cost

$3,300–$3,650

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity72/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs30/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact68/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity76/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Caution

Rates below both the 2020 and 2022, with a do-not-drive suspension recall and reports of sunroof glass bursting while driving.

Top Issues to Watch

  • STRUCTURE (2)
  • AIR BAGS (1)
  • STEERING (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Refresh Year

2021 received a 2021 update update for the First generation (95B; 2014).

  • Changes: Updated design features; Subtle changes including new technologies.
  • Year 7 in this generation (2015–2026).
  • 1st generation Macan (US).

What this means for buyers

Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.

2015: First generation (95B; 2014) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2016: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2019: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2021: This Model Year (Refresh)

2021 received a 2021 update update for the First generation (95B; 2014).

Should You Buy the 2021 Porsche Macan?

Reliability for this year is mixed, and it ranks well below average among 2021 SUVs. Within the Macan's scored model years, it is among the weaker of eight. Both neighboring years rate better. The 2020 drew more complaints and more recalls but still rates better, and the 2022 has only a few complaints and no recalls. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $1,265 across the model, against $859 for its class.

Owners filed 8 complaints, and 3 involve crashes. The clearest symptom is sunroof glass bursting outward while driving, with no warning and a bang like a gunshot. The noise can startle a driver into swerving. One dealer blamed a rock strike, and insurance paid. A separate owner reported the car got stuck and then caught fire, with no cause given. Only two complaints fit this pattern, so no wider trend shows. Federal recall records list one suspension recall, and it is a do-not-drive recall.

Check the VIN for that recall and get proof the work was done before you buy. Ask for any sunroof repair records. A 2022 or 2020 is worth comparing, since both rate better.

Compared to the 2022 Porsche Macan, which scored 6 points higher. See also the 2020 Porsche Macan for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Low recall count
  • +Below-average complaint rate for SUV

Cons

  • −Below-average reliability score
  • −Above-average repair costs for its class
  • −Frequent unscheduled repairs
  • −STRUCTURE: Sunroof glass bursts outward while driving, with no warning and a loud bang... (2 complaints)

Compare 2021 Porsche Macan With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK
  • 1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

HIGH RISK
  • STRUCTURE (2)
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

1

recall on record

Park It

The 2021 Porsche Macan carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

3.6

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 16.7

LowAvgHigh
Low

Safety Incidents

3

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Porsche Macan Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2021 Porsche Macan. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

21V2240002021-03-31Park It

SUSPENSION

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Porsche Macan, Macan S, Macan GTS, and Macan Turbo vehicles. The screw connection on the shock absorbers of the front and rear axle might not be tightened properly.

Consequence

A failed screw connection may cause damage to the braking system, driving instability, and the potential loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy has been performed. Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will rework and tighten the screw connections, free of charge. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMA8.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Porsche Macan? Check its history first

Structure problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Porsche Macan, and 1 recall was issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2021 Porsche Macan NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 0.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (N/A)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Porsche MacanRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

1.5Maintenance rating: 1.5 out of 5

Based 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

Macan
$1265
Category Avg
$859
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

19–21 MPG

Running cost: $4,550–$4,900/yr

Fuel + repair

17–19 city / 21–24 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 2021 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Macan 2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7)192321$3,300
Macan S 3.0L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7)182420$3,450
Macan GTS 2.9L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7)172219$3,650
Macan Turbo 2.9L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7)172119$3,650

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Porsche Macan.

  • Stop on a steep hill with Auto Hold engaged and confirm the car holds without rolling backward.

  • Ask for service records showing any Auto Hold or brake software updates and any repeat visits for rollback.

  • Turn on the signals and leave a seatbelt unbuckled to confirm the warning chimes sound.

  • Inspect the sunroof glass for chips, cracks or signs of replacement, and ask for any glass repair records.

  • Drive up a hill with the windows down and listen for clicking near the right rear wheel.

  • Check the vehicle history report for fire damage or insurance claims involving the roof glass.

2021 Porsche Macan Common Problems by Component

8 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

2
2
1
1
1
1
STRUCTURE (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)AIR BAGS (1)STEERING (1)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)POWER TRAIN (1)

STRUCTURE

2 complaintsSafety-related

Sunroof glass bursts outward while driving, with no warning and a loud bang like a gunshot. The noise can startle a driver into swerving. In that case the dealer blamed a rock strike, and the owner's insurance paid for the repair. A separate report says the car got stuck and then caught fire, destroying it. No cause is given. Only 2 complaints are on file here, and 1 involves fire, so no wider pattern shows yet. Both failures carry real crash or fire risk.

2 complaints total1 fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

The chime speaker fails, which silences the turn signal click, seatbelt reminders and system fault warnings. One failure came before 11,000 miles. Another report describes the car rolling backward on a steep hill with Auto Hold engaged while the brakes failed to stop it. A dealer software update did not fix it, and the problem came back worse. That report also mentions a clicking noise from the right rear wheel on hills, which the dealer called normal. Rolling back on a hill is a clear crash risk.

2 complaints total

AIR BAGS

1 complaint
2025-01-11

There was a recall on the passenger sideair bag sensor for previous years but the issue is still occurring in my 2021 Porsche macan turbo. The error code reports a faulty air bag sensor. The recall should be extended to later year models. Thank you

STEERING (1 complaints)

STEERING

1 complaintSafety-related
2021-10-10Crash reported

My daughter accidentally tried to reverse in auxiliary mode- she had the radio on and did not realize the engine was not on The car went into reverse and she had no brakes or steering to stop the car Mercedes - BMW- Range Roger - Tesla - we have checked these cars and it isn’t possible to do this scenario in those cars Porsche said the car is fine and if she was 6’3” and weighed 250 it would be difficult but possible to apply enough pressure to the brakes - she weighs 100 pounds so it wasn’t physically possible My husband has a Five year old convertible Mercedes - he tried to recreate this scenario in his car. The first thing that happens is the emergency brake won’t let him reverse . When he released the brake with the engine off and the radio on it did reverse but the brakes worked normally I have friends with Tesla / BMW / and Range Rover all check their cars and they all have safety features preventing the car to go in reverse or it still has normal brakes My daughter had an accident and luckily nobody was hurt This seems dangerous

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaintSafety-related
2021-10-10Crash reported

I wrote earlier today but now I found out the Porsche Cayenne and Porsche 911 all have safety feature lacking in the new macan - if u try to reverse with the engine off a message will come on that says to turn on the engine and engage the gear. The macan can reverse with no engine on and then you have no brakes and no power steering . There is a small window of one attempt according to Porsche to use the brakes but you would need to be a strong large man to accomplish the amount of effort required per the dealership - this was not reviewed at the time of purchase .. it seems this safety feature has been around for at least a decade and I am not sure why the macan hasn’t upgraded this important feature or let the customers know in advance We have $5,000 of damage to the car We have $5000 of damage to the house and we will be without a car for 4-8 weeks depending on if parts are here or in Germany

POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaintSafety-related
2025-11-12Crash reported

On November 12, 2025 the transmission, power train, and/or other components on my Porsche Macan S failed. My Macan was parked (gear selector in "Park") on a level surface, the ignition turned off and the key removed from the ignition when it was tapped from behind by another vehicle that was exiting a residential garage. The Macan proceeded to roll over two hundred feet from the impact, jumped two curbs, crossed a street with active traffic, and finally stopped when it hit a tree. There was extensive damage to my vehicle but fortunately there were no injuries because the Macan was unmanned at the time of impact. If there were pedestrians and/or other vehicles crossing the path of the Macan they would have been hit. There were no warning signs prior to the failure. This incident has been reported to Porsche Cars North America, Inc. ("PCNA"). I requested an inspection of my vehicle at an authorized Porsche repair dealership but was told: "PCNA has determined that our involvement would not be required in this matter therefore, we are unable to investigate it further". PCNA has disavowed any responsibility for the manufacturer's defect that endangers other drivers, pedestrians and me, given the risk of reoccurrence.

Best & Worst Porsche Macan Years

Best Porsche Macan Years to Buy

Porsche Macan Years to Avoid

Porsche Macan Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Porsche Macan reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201857/100Mixed
201964/100Good
202062/100Good
202159/100Mixed
202265/100Good
202366/100Good
202466/100Good
202565/100Good

Porsche Macan Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202565/100-1Good03
202466/1000Good07
202366/100+1Good06
202265/100+6Good03
2021(selected)59/100-3Mixed18
202062/100-2Good417
201964/100+7Good210
201857/100—Mixed1329

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Porsche Macan reliable?
Not especially. Its reliability is mixed, and it stands well below average against other 2021 SUVs. Within the Macan's scored years it is among the weaker of eight. The 2020 and 2022 both rate better. It also has a do-not-drive suspension recall and higher-than-class repair costs.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Porsche Macan?
Owners report sunroof glass bursting outward while driving, with a loud bang and no warning. One owner also reported a car that got stuck and then caught fire, with no cause given. Of 8 complaints, 3 involve crashes and 1 involves fire. Federal records also list a suspension recall.
Does the 2021 Porsche Macan have sunroof problems?
Yes, in at least one report. An owner described the glass bursting outward at speed with a bang like a gunshot, which can startle a driver into swerving. The dealer blamed a rock strike, and insurance paid for the repair. Only two complaints fall in this pattern, so it is not a wide trend.
Has the 2021 Porsche Macan been recalled?
Yes. Federal recall records list one recall for this year, in the suspension area. It is a do-not-drive recall, which means the car should not be driven until it is addressed. Check the VIN to confirm the work was completed before you buy.
How much does the 2021 Porsche Macan cost to repair?
Independent repair-cost data estimates $1,265 a year across the Macan model, compared with $859 for its class. That figure covers the model as a whole, not only 2021. Expect repair bills above what a typical compact SUV costs.

Don’t buy a 2021 Porsche Macan without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Porsche Macan

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Porsche Macan does best on how many systems draw complaints (76/100) 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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