Porsche Panamera 4S: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Porsche Panamera 4S: 7 model years scored from 19 NHTSA owner complaints and 21 recall campaigns. Worst year 2013, best year 2011.
Porsche Panamera 4S: which years to avoid
Across 7 scored model years the Porsche Panamera 4S ranges from 75/100 in 2013 to 90/100 in 2020 — a 15-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Unknown Or Other (4 of them).
Safest years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Year-by-year data table
Best year in our data: 2011 (score 88). Worst: 2013 (score 75, BUY).
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 90 | BUY | $4,830 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 87 | BUY | $4,952 | 1 | 3 |
| 2015 | 85 | BUY | $5,538 | 5 | 3 |
| 2014 | 88 | BUY | $5,670 | 0 | 3 |
| 2013 | 75 | BUY | $6,226 | 11 | 3 |
| 2012 | 87 | BUY | $6,350 | 0 | 4 |
| 2011 | 88 | BUY | $6,492 | 2 | 4 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Panamera 4S sub-models & family
What goes wrong on the Porsche Panamera 4S
Across every Panamera 4S model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Electrical System7 complaints across all Panamera 4S years · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other5 complaints across all Panamera 4S years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Engine4 complaints across all Panamera 4S years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Air Bags3 complaints across all Panamera 4S years · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement$600–$1,700
- Vehicle Speed Control1 complaints across all Panamera 4S years · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement$520–$1,150
- Suspension1 complaints across all Panamera 4S years · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle$780–$1,580
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Porsche Panamera 4S years to buy?
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2020 at 90/100, on 0 complaints and 1 recall campaigns.
Which Porsche Panamera 4S years should I avoid?
The 2013 is the weakest year we score, at 75/100 (BUY), on 11 complaints and 3 recalls. Check the year-by-year table above before committing to any particular car.
What is the most common Porsche Panamera 4S problem?
7 of the complaints filed against the Panamera 4S across all its model years sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component.
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Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04