Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the airbags, steering, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Porsche Macan: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/4
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2018's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Porsche Macan. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD | 22 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD | 19 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD | 19 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Porsche Macan, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The 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.
A 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.
Headlights 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.
Oil 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.
Excerpts from complaints Macan owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
I own a 2018 Macan GTS and the passenger airbag sensor was defective. My VIN was not covered by the NHTSA’s recall (21V131000) thought it is the same part that was defective and is the same make/model/year. I have submitted a request to Porsche for reimbursement for the repair, but they have denied my request without explanation.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
The passenger airbag light always indicates that no one is sitting in the passenger seat even when it is occupied. This is apparently the same issue other 2018 Porsche Macan's have had but for some reason my car is not included. This is the same as the AMA2 airbag/SRS Fault - DTC B102204. recall.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2024
Upon routine 80k service, discovered that steering wheel column loose due to faulty bushings. Individual bushings could be replaced but manufacturer insists that entire steering column needs replacement. Manufacturer should provide replacement bushings for technician to replace instead of entire column. This is simply an 8mm plastic piece!
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
While in Dallas TX on Feb 23 2023 I took my car to dealer air bag light came on. Issue was seat belt sensor defective part number 95B 881 256 BA repair set seat occupancy sensor. Found out there are several Macan GTS 2018 same problem.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
Rear camera and vehicle proximity sensors are not working Due A Flaw with water moisture entering the rear cabin where modules are located. This us a common problem with this vehicle.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2024
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of the 8 Macan years we cover, about 3.8 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the fourth model year of the Macan's first generation (2015–2026).
It includes the 2016 update.
What changed for 2016
Recall repairs are free at any Porsche dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: An improperly tightened seat belt anchor can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
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.
Risk: The air bag will not deploy during a crash if a front passenger is undetected, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid Platinum Edition, Macan Turbo and Macan GTS vehicles, 2017-2018 Cayenne S, Macan, Cayenne Platinum Edition and Macan S vehicles and 2018 Cayenne vehicles equipped with the optional ski bag. The ski bag fastening strap may have been sewn with incorrect thread, possibly resulting in the strap seams tearing and the ski bag being unsecured in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the ski bag detaches during a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ski bags, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AJ12.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2018 Porsche Macan S and Macan vehicles. These vehicles have a control unit that may fail and prevent safety-related functions such as driver display alerts and possibly impair drivability and post-crash functions.
Risk: Failure of the control unit may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected control unit, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AJ05.
Cars shoppers compare with the Porsche Macan, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
