Last updated: 2026-04-20

2021 Porsche Macan Reliability Report
The 2021 Porsche Macan scores 59/100 ("Mixed"). With 1 recall and 8 owner complaints, buyers should proceed with caution.
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
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Mixed reliability — proceed with caution and budget for repairs.
Top Issues to Watch
- STRUCTURE (2)
- AIR BAGS (1)
- STEERING (1)
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.
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?
A 59/100 score puts the 2021 Porsche Macan in the "Mixed" tier. Buyers should approach with eyes open. 2021 received a 2021 update update for the First generation (95B; 2014).
Complaint volume sits above average at 8 owner complaints alongside 1 recalls. Issues in unknown or other (2) tend to be the costly ones.
Treat an extended warranty as non-negotiable and put unknown or other (2) at the top of the inspection checklist.
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
LOW RISK- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
HIGH RISK- STRUCTURE (2)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
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 soldSegment avg: 17.5
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.
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.
Buying a used 2021 Porsche Macan? Check its history first
Every 2021 Porsche Macan has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- 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
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
19–21 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
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macan 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,300 |
| Macan S 3.0L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,450 |
| Macan GTS 2.9L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,650 |
| Macan Turbo 2.9L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,650 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Porsche Macan.
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
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
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Porsche Macan Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 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.
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?
Don’t buy a 2021 Porsche Macan without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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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.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Porsche Macan.
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