Buying blind is how you overpay. Don’t decide alone.
Send this to whoever’s advising you: your mechanic, the PPI shop, the friend who’s owned three of these.
Porsche's first EV, a genuinely great-driving performance sedan let down early on by immature software and electrical gremlins. Ownership money goes into 12V systems, software-triggered failures, and out-of-warranty high-voltage components that are not cheap.
AI-drafted profile
This failure-mode list was drafted by AI and cross-checked against this car’s real NHTSA complaint data. It has not yet been verified by our mechanics or owners, and it deliberately shows no cost figures: we never publish a dollar amount we can’t source. Own one? Your cost submissions below are what turn this into a verified teardown.
What this car is known for
tap a row for the detail
Sudden 12V system power loss / stalldeal-shaperLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Car loses drive power or shuts down while driving, or fails to power up entirely.
Early Taycans were subject to a NHTSA recall for unexpected loss of drive power tied to software and 12V supply faults; this is the single most reported problem.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
Infotainment and electrical glitchesLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Screens reboot, freeze, or go black; charging port faults; random warning lights.
The PCM and control modules had buggy early firmware, generating the largest complaint category (electrical) for this car.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
AC/DC charging failuresLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Car refuses to charge or aborts sessions, sometimes with an onboard charger fault.
Onboard charger and charge-port control issues are common and often need module replacement or software updates.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
Powertrain jerk or hesitationLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Driveline clunk, hesitation, or reduced power under acceleration.
Reflected in powertrain complaints, often traceable to inverter/control software or two-speed rear gearbox behavior.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
Brake performance and regen blendingLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Inconsistent brake feel, longer stops, or warning messages.
Service brake complaints exist around regen-to-friction blending and, on cars with steel rotors, corrosion from low use.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
Backup camera / parking sensor faultsLikely due nowcost pending›
What you’ll notice: Rear camera image fails or park assist gives false alerts.
Back-over prevention complaints point to camera and sensor module dropouts, often software related.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
PPI checklist
AI-drafted for this chassis. Hand it to your inspector.
- 01Confirm all recalls, especially the loss-of-drive-power and 12V-related campaigns, are closed with Porsche.
- 02Verify current software version at a dealer; many early faults are only fixed with the latest firmware.
- 03Do a full AC and DC charge cycle to confirm the onboard charger and both charge ports work.
- 04Check battery state-of-health readout via a dealer or Porsche diagnostic tool, not just range display.
- 05Cold-boot the car and cycle infotainment repeatedly to check for screen reboots or freezes.
- 06Inspect steel brake rotors for corrosion pitting if the car sat unused; check pad wear.
- 07Test backup camera and all parking sensors in a live maneuver.
- 08Confirm the 12V battery has been serviced or replaced, as early cars killed them from parasitic drain.
Ask the seller
- ·Which software updates and recall campaigns have been performed, and do you have the paperwork?
- ·Has the car ever lost drive power, stalled, or thrown electrical warnings?
- ·Has the 12V battery or onboard charger ever been replaced?
- ·Is the car still under Porsche warranty, and was it serviced at a Porsche dealer?
Federal defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these before any recall exists. All investigations touching this model year are closed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
led to recall 21V486000
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file (public federal data).
What owners reported to NHTSA
69 owner complaints and 21 recalls on file for the 2021 PORSCHE TAYCAN (public federal data). Failure mileages come from odometer readings owners filed with NHTSA.
failures cluster 4k-10k mi · median 6k (n=7) · this car is past the median
21 recalls. Verify completion with a VIN check
- 21V157000 · SUSPENSION
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo, Taycan Turbo S, Taycan, Taycan 4S, 911 Turbo S Coupe, Cayman, Cayman T, Cayman S, Cayman GT4, 911 Carrera Coupe, 911 Carrera S Coupe, 911 Carrera 4S Coupe, 911 Carrera 4S Targa, 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 911 Carr
- 21V608000 · SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 911 Carrera Coupe, 911 Carrera S Coupe, 911 Carrera 4 Coupe, 911 Carrera 4S Coupe, 911 Turbo Coupe, 911 Turbo S Coupe, Panamera, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, Panamera 4S, Panamera GTS, Panamera Turbo S, Taycan, Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo, and
- 21V697000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2021 911 Carrera and Taycan vehicles. The pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach.
- 21V362000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Taycan, Panamera, Panamera Turbo S, Panamera GTS, Panamera 4, Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, Panamera 4 Executive, Panamera 4S Executive, Panamera 4S, Panamera 4S E-Hybrid, and Panamera 4 E-Hybrid vehicles. The front lower trailing arm
- 21V794000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Taycan vehicles. The pre-collision automatic hazard lights may activate in non-emergency situations. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, R
- 21V486000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Taycan Turbo, Taycan Turbo S, Taycan 4S, 2021 Taycan, Taycan Cross Turismo, Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, and Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo vehicles. The monitoring software can incorrectly detect a faul
- 22V052000 · SUSPENSION
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling one 2021 Taycan vehicle. The front and rear suspension may be misaligned.
- 22V100000 · SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Taycan vehicles equipped with an optional rear center seat. The center seat belt buckle wiring harness may obstruct access to the right rear seat lower child seat anchors, preventing a child seat from being properly secured.
- 22V278000 · SEATS
Porsche Cars of North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Taycan vehicles. The driver and passenger seat wire harness could become damaged during horizontal seat adjustment.
- 22V404000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Taycan vehicles. A software error could cause the center screen (including rearview camera image) and the touch control panel remain to black directly after the ignition is activated. Also, the Real-Top-View (including rearv
- 22V921000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Taycan, Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo S, Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, and Taycan 4S Cross Turismo vehicles. A retaining ring on top of the suspension strut may come loose, resulting in a dislodged strut and air loss from the strut spring.
- 23V176000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020 Taycan Turbo, 2021 Taycan, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, 2022 Taycan, Taycan Turbo, Taycan GTS, Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, 2020-2022 Taycan 4S and Taycan Turbo S, and 2023 Taycan vehicles. When there is an unbelte
- 23V347000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Taycan vehicles. An incorrect warning indicator with an incorrect color is displayed in the instrument cluster when notifying owners of worn brake pads. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal
- 23V840000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Porsche Taycan, 2021-2022 Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo S, Taycan Turbo, Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo, 2022 Taycan GTS, and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo vehicles. The high-voltage battery
- 23V841000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling various models and model years. Please see the recall report for a list of the included vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current
- 24V215000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Taycan, Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, 2020-2023 Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo S, 2021-2022 Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, 2022 Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, 2022-2023 Taycan GTS, 2023 Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, and 2020-2021 Taycan Turbo vehicle
- 24V217000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Taycan, 2020-2024 Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo, 2021-2023 Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, 2022-2023 Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, 2023 Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo, 2022-2024 Taycan GTS, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, and
- 24V455000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Taycan vehicles. The front brake hoses can develop cracks and leak brake fluid.
- 24V731000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Taycan vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module.
- 24V732000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Taycan vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module.
- 25V896000 · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2019-2025 Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, 2020-2025 911, Taycan, 2024-2025 Panamera, and 2025 Panamera E-Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply
912 manufacturer service bulletins on file with NHTSA for this model year.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (500) · EQUIPMENT (155) · UNKNOWN OR OTHER (88) · ENGINE (51)
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