Last updated: 2026-03-04

2021 Porsche Macan Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2021 Porsche Macan scores 59/100 ("Mixed"). With 1 recall and 8 owner complaints, buyers should proceed with caution.
2021 received a 2021 update update for the First generation (95B; 2014).
Recalls
1
Complaints
8
Complaint Rate
3.6
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$1265
Above avgMajor Repair Risk
20%
NHTSA Rating
N/A
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Mixed reliability — proceed with caution and budget for repairs.
Top Issues
1 recall on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
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.
First generation (95B; 2014)
Should You Buy the 2021 Porsche Macan?
The 2021 Porsche Macan scores 59/100 ("Mixed"). Buyers should proceed with caution. 2021 received a 2021 update update for the First generation (95B; 2014).
With 8 owner complaints and 1 recalls, the complaint volume is above average. Reported issues — particularly in unknown or other (2) — can be costly to repair.
An extended warranty is strongly recommended. A thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on unknown or other (2) is essential before committing.
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: Owners of the 2021 Porsche Macan report two distinct structural issues (2 complaints)
Compare 2021 Porsche Macan With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
- STRUCTURE (2)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)
- AIR BAGS (1)
- STEERING (1)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)
- POWER TRAIN (1)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2021 Porsche Macan has 1 recall on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
3.6
per 10k soldSegment avg: 17
Safety Incidents
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
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.
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.
2021 Porsche Macan NHTSA Safety Ratings
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 0.0%
Safety Technologies
Porsche Macan Repair 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.
When Buying a Used 2021 Porsche Macan
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Test chime speaker for functionality to ensure audible alerts work
- Verify auto hold feature on steep hills for proper brake engagement
- Check sunroof glass for integrity and signs of stress or damage
- Inspect for any airbag sensor error codes and verify recall status
- Confirm power train and transmission stability during parking and impact scenarios
Check Any 2021 Porsche Macan's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2021 Macan in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Porsche Macan with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2021 Porsche Macan Common Problems by Component
8 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
STRUCTURE
2 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2021 Porsche Macan report two distinct structural issues. One complaint describes a vehicle fire that resulted in total demolition, though specific details about the cause are not provided. Another complaint involves the sunroof unexpectedly exploding outward while driving, creating a loud noise and potential for injury from falling glass. The owner of the affected vehicle notes that the glass failure occurred without warning and suggests a potential flaw related to the sunroof's glass integrity. These issues highlight potential safety risks, including fire hazards and the risk of driver distraction or injury from glass breakage.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaintsOwners of the 2021 Porsche Macan report issues related to vehicle control and audio alert system failures. One owner describes a malfunction with the auto hold feature on steep hills, where the vehicle unexpectedly reversed and the brakes were unresponsive, occurring shortly after purchase and persisting despite a software update. Another owner highlights a failure of the chime speaker at under 11,000 miles, affecting critical safety alerts such as turn signals, seatbelt warnings, and collision alerts. Both issues present significant safety concerns, with the auto hold problem potentially leading to loss of vehicle control and the chime speaker failure resulting in uncommunicated safety alerts. These complaints suggest potential costly repairs and safety implications that used car buyers should consider.
AIR BAGS
1 complaintThere 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-relatedMy 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-relatedI 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-relatedOn 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.
When Do 2021 Porsche Macan Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Porsche Macan Years
Best Porsche Macan Years to Buy
The best Porsche Macan year is 2024 with a reliability score of 66/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2023 (66/100) and 2025 (65/100).
Porsche Macan Years to Avoid
The worst Porsche Macan year is 2018 with a score of 57/100, primarily due to air bags (7) issues.
See full Porsche Macan years-to-avoid analysis →Porsche Macan Reliability Score Trend
Porsche Macan reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 63/100.
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 2021 Porsche Macan reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Porsche Macan?
How many recalls does the 2021 Porsche Macan have?
Is the 2021 Porsche Macan expensive to maintain?
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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