Used Porsche Macan 2014-present reliability

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

Many Porsche Macans will have been well used as family SUVs, subjected to the give and take of supermarket car parks and urban rat runs. It may also have been used enthusiastically by drivers anxious to make haste through motorway and A-road traffic.

Check the bodywork for scuffs picked up in the urban part of that predicament and make sure those expensive alloy wheels haven’t picked up too much damage from kerbs. Check the interior and the operation of the rear seats, because these will have been used to accommodate shopping and other family-related paraphernalia.

Electrical faults: Some owners have had issues with non-engine electrics. There was a recall in the US to fix faulty fuel pumps, although this is not known to trouble European models. Others have reported engine warning lights coming on and some servicing work needed on the engine control units, but most problems have been fixed under warranty and within a week.

Transfer box: While no recall has been issued, a fair few Macan owners have reported issues with the transfer box and it can be a costly fix – one owner told us £1750. Seeing as it isn't a recall, the manufacturer won't repair it for free unless it's covered under warranty – unless you extend it, the transfer box is covered for up to seven years.

Fuel leak: A faulty fuel connector could potentially allow fuel to leak out of examples made between 24 January 2014 and 26 October 2015. Speak with your Porsche dealer to find out if your car is affected and requires remedial work.

Brake servo: A problem with the brake servo on some cars built from 27 January 2014 and 10 April 2014 and could result in reduced assistance under light braking. A dealer will be able to let you know if your car is involved in this recall and will be able to check the servo for you, and even replace it free of charge if damage is found.

Front passenger airbag: The front passenger airbags of a small number of Macans constructed from 4 March 2014 and 20 October 2015 may not deploy in a collision, due to a faulty seat occupancy detector. Find out if your car is affected by speaking to your dealer, because a new sensor will need to be fitted.

Click here for more information. Contact your local Porsche dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.

Our data suggests the Porsche Macan is a reliable car. In our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, the Macan came 12th out of 24 cars in the large SUV class. Its reliability score was 94.1% and that allowed it to rank higher than the Jaguar F-Pace and Range Rover Evoque. The Toyota RAV4 is more reliable, mind you.

The Macan's most common issues were cited as non-engine electrics and these accounted for 9.9% of issues. Bodywork issues racked up 5.6% of complaints, while 2.8% related to interior trim and another 2.8% to suspension.

As a car brand, Porsche came 20th out of 32 manufacturers featured – above Audi and Jaguar, but below BMW and Mini.

Used Porsche Macan: owners' reliability data

In our 2023 Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said the Porsche Macan can be mixed for reliability. Some owners reported a smooth ownership experience with few issues. However, others noted recurring faults, particularly with the electronics, including malfunctioning warning lights and issues with the infotainment system. A few readers experienced costly engine problems, including oil leaks and timing chain issues, too.

As for dealer service, feedback was divided. While some praised the dealerships for their professionalism and swift repairs, others were less satisfied. Complaints included delays in getting parts, expensive repair costs, and a lack of communication during the repair process.