Porsche Panamera VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Porsche Panamera VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 22 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2010–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefixWP0

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Porsche Panamera

About the Porsche Panamera

Porsche has sold the Panamera in the US since the 2010 model year, and there have been three generations. G1 (970) first (2010–2016), then G2 (971) (2017–2024), and the G3 (976) took over for 2025–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 22 vehicle recall campaigns and 146 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the G1 (970). Its 2011 and 2010 model years alone account for 63 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the G1 (970) at 18–25 mpg combined, while the G3 (976), whose lineup includes a plug-in hybrid, gets 18–21 mpg, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2010–2026

GenerationsG1 (970) · G2 (971) · G3 (976)

NHTSA recall campaigns22

Owner complaints146 at NHTSA

Porsche Panamera photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Porsche Panamera generations

Three generations since the 2010 model year. The G1 (970) (2010–2016) has the most owner complaints, the G2 (971) (2017–2024) the most recall campaigns (13).

3 / 3

G3 (976)

2025–20263rd generation

Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2010201520202025

2025–2026· Generation 3 of 3

G3 (976) · 3rd generation

EPA classLarge Cars

EPA combined mpg18–21

NHTSA recalls3

Engines (EPA)

2.9 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2025–2026
2.9 L 8-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2025
4.0 L 8-cyl (turbo) · 2025

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
automated manual/dual-clutch (2025–2026)

Known issues to check

1 high-risk recall campaign

Sample VIN pattern · G3 (976)WP0AA2YA?SL······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2025 Porsche Panamera Panamera, Panamera 4, built in Leipzig, Saxony

Check a Panamera VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Panamera model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 22 campaigns on file for Panamera model years 2010–2026, and the 2018 shows up in more of them than any other year (8), ahead of the 2011 (6). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Porsche Panamera owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2011 and 2010 hold 63 of the 146 complaints, or 43%. Tap any bar or generation.

146NHTSA complaints, 2010–2026

10mention a crash

3mention a fire

7injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearG3 (976): 3 complaints · most for the 2025 (2)

Top complaint areas · G3 (976)

Owner complaints on file for these model years: 3. That is too few to show patterns.

What Panamera owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2010–2016 (1st generation, 970)

The 2011 draws the most NHTSA complaints, and later years of this generation are much quieter, so the data is thin. Engine complaints lead, and many describe camshaft bolts that shear, sometimes with a loss of power or a stall. CarComplaints lists sheared camshaft bolts, assorted sensor faults and an antifreeze adhesive failure for 2011. A recall covers camshaft controllers on 2010–2012 models that may come loose inside the engine and stall it. [1] [2]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the camshaft controller recall on 2010 to 2012 models.
Ask whether the camshaft bolts or controllers were already repaired and listen for engine noise on a cold start.
On the drive, watch for a loss of power or a stall.
Check the coolant level and ask about sensor warning lights.

Sources (2) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 29, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Panamera complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid and plug-in Panamera versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

146complaints, 2010–2026

10mention a crash

3mention a fire

7injuries reported

Most complaints: 2011 (41), 2010 (22), 2012 (18)

2011 · 41 complaints

Crashes 1 · fires 1 · injuries 2

Engine26

Power train7

Electrical system6

Unknown or other4

Electronic stability control3

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Panamera CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 173 Panamera versions for model years 2010–2026 (gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 185 g/mi, for the 2025 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

G1 (970)2010–2016

18–25 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 50–51 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 206–499 g/mi

G2 (971)2017–2024

17–24 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 46–52 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 232–525 g/mi

G3 (976)2025–2026

18–21 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 54–55 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 185–495 g/mi

Model year2025

21combined MPG

425CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,900EPA yearly fuel cost

4/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

4/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Panamera 4 · Auto (AM-S8), 6 cyl, 2.9 L, Turbo — 21 MPG · 425 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasHybridPlug-in hybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Panamera vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs BMW 7 Series

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2017–2024. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the Panamera, against 51 for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 31 for the BMW 7 Series. Pick a range to compare.

Porsche PanameraG3 (976)

Model years 2025–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 3
NHTSA owner complaints: 3
EPA combined mpg: 18–21
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 2.9 L · 8-cyl 2.9, 4.0 L
Also listed: turbo, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 1
Electrical system 1
Suspension 1

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Model years 2025–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 2
NHTSA owner complaints: 2
EPA combined mpg: 15–24
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0 L · 12-cyl 6.0 L
Also listed: turbo, supercharged, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 2
Electrical system 1

BMW 7 Series

Model years 2025–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 5
NHTSA owner complaints: 2
EPA combined mpg: 20–28
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 1
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 1
Forward collision avoidance 1

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Porsche Panamera VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Panamera

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Orange Porsche Panamera (second generation) wagon, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Raf24~commonswiki, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Panamera's VIN at the lower driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker, trunk lid label, and an engine bay stamp supplement the primary location. Five-door Panamera Sport Turismo variants add a cargo area sticker absent on sedan versions. The G3 (976) generation starts with the 2025 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (S for 2025) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Porsche Panamera VIN questions

Which Porsche Panamera model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2011 leads with 41, ahead of the 2010 (22) and 2012 (18). Those first two alone make up 43% of the 146 Panamera complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Porsche Panamera had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 22 vehicle campaigns for model years 2010–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, G2 (971) leads with 13. Then come the G1 (970) (8) and G3 (976) (3), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Porsche Panamera recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 19V-322, 12V-329, 15V-016, 23V-033, 23V-841 and 25V-634. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Panamera generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the G1 (970) is 2010–2016 and the G2 (971) 2017–2024. G3 (976) spans 2025–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (S is 2025).

What fuel economy does the Porsche Panamera get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2025–2026 G3 (976) at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (54–55 MPGe on gas and electricity), up from 18–25 mpg for the 2010–2016 G1 (970) (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Porsche Panamera compare with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series on recalls?

For 2025–2026 models the Panamera has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 2, the BMW 7 Series 5. Complaints run 3, 2 and 2 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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