2019 Porsche Cayenne: Recall Alert

Atlanta – July 20, 2018 – Porsche Cars North America has recalled more than 700 vehicles potentially equipped with defective suspension components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple Panamera sport utility and station wagon models across the Porsche brand, including:

• 2017-2018 Porsche Panamera 4S SUVs produced between Dec. 2, 2016, and May 9, 2018.
• 2018 Porsche Panamera 4S Executive SUVs produced between June 26, 2017, and May 4, 2018.
• 2018 Porsche Panamera 4S Sport Turismo station wagons produced between Oct. 10, 2017, and May 28, 2018.
• 2017-2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo SUVs produced between Nov. 22, 2016, and May 28, 2018.
• 2017-2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo Executive SUVs produced between March 3, 2017, and April 9, 2018.
• 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid SUVs produced between Oct. 11, 2017, and June 4, 2018.
• 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive SUVs produced between Oct. 12, 2017, and May 3, 2018.
• 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo station wagons produced between Nov. 21, 2017, and May 24, 2018.
• 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo station wagons produced between Sept. 4, 2017, and May 22, 2018.

The German automaker suspects all of the vehicles referenced in this action contain the defective suspension parts.

The Defect

Affected models contain rear-axle anti-roll bars with connecting links that are prone to wear and detachment. In the event that these components fail, the anti-roll bar could come loose and make contact with other suspension parts, increasing the likelihood of an engine fire.

This defect therefore poses a serious hazard to occupants. However, Porsche has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

Porsche engineers identified a vehicle with defective rear-axle anti-roll bar connecting links during an internal stress test conducted in 2017. The vehicle in question had been subjected to considerable wear and tear, leading the links to detach. Despite this discovery, the automaker did not take action, believing the issue was an aberration. On top of this, the vehicle seemed to perform as expected.

In March 2018, Porsche conducted additional tests to better understand the impact of connecting link detachment. This inquiry revealed that this condition could damage nearby suspension components and cause an engine fire. Quality assurance teams initiated a production record review to determine whether other vehicles might be susceptible to connecting link detachment.

Members of the Porsche Product Safety Committee convened June 6, 2018, to review these findings, which indicated that the problem was widespread. The group launched a voluntary safety recall as a result.

The Solution

Porsche intends to direct dealers to replace the rear-axle anti-roll bar connecting links in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. However, the car maker has not yet released a dealer or owner notification timetable.

Owners in need of immediate assistance can speak with Porsche customer service personnel by calling (800) 767-7243. Callers should use the internal recall identification code AJ06. Owners can also connect with the NHTSA directly using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Atlanta – Oct. 6, 2017 – Porsche Cars North America has recalled more than 50,000 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective fuel pump filter flanges, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2003-2006 Porsche Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Titanium and Cayenne Turbo sport utility vehicles with production dates ranging from Nov. 20, 2002 to Dec. 2, 2006. The German automaker estimates 100 percent of the models referenced in the recall contain the defective features.

The Defect

Affected vehicles are likely to include fuel pump filter flanges prone to age- and oxidation-caused cracking. More specifically, the flange material used in the recalled vehicles has been shown to break down at an accelerated rate, creating tension within the fuel pump – and in some cases causing fuel seepage. This poses a serious safety hazard to operators, as escaped gasoline could come into contact with active engine components and combust. However, Porsche has not received field reports linking the defective features to any accidents or injuries.

Owners with vehicles experiencing filter flange-related fuel seepage have reported noticing the odor of gasoline.

Timeline of Events

In February 2017, the NHTSA sent to Porsche seven vehicle owner queries mentioning filter flange-related fuel leakage, which had been referenced in an earlier recall initiated in October 2016, involving the Volkswagen Group of America. Then, in June, Porsche launched a 90-day field trial at the behest of the NHTSA. The program aimed to determine if the four-bar fuel pumps used in several Porsche and Volkswagen models were the the issue’s root cause.

On Sept. 13, the Porsche Product Safety group reviewed the results of field trial and determined that four-bar fuel pumps and the filter flanges used in them were problematic. The committee called for an  immediate voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Porsche plans to direct dealers to replace the fuel flange filters in the recalled vehicles free of charge. The replacement parts are said to come equipped with protective films to block out external forces that cause surface degradation, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. The car company has yet to release a notification schedule. That said, owners in need of immediate assistance can contact Porsche customer service at (800) 767-7243. Callers should use the internal recall identification code AH10. Owners can also connect with the NHTSA directly via its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Atlanta, Ga.—June 20, 2017—Seven models of Porsche vehicles are part of the manufacturer’s recent recalls. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that nearly 18,000 potentially affected units are part of this action.

The risk comes from loose camshaft controllers in these affected vehicles. According to the recall acknowledgment statement, a dislodged camshaft could cause one of the vehicles’ engines to stall, posing a possible safety hazard. Of the seven models, five are for the Panamera brand and two are for Cayenne. The combined model years stretch from 2010 to 2012.

As of June 13, there was no official notification schedule listed for this recall. However, the statement did say that dealers will address the problem by replacing the screws for the camshafts.

Atlanta, GA – Apr. 11, 2017 – Porsche Cars North America has recalled a number of sports cars with defective windshield bonding, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The recall impacts various models produced in January 2017, including:

• 911 Carrera cabriolet
• 911 Carrera S cabriolet
• 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4 cabriolet
• 911 Carrera 4S cabriolet
• 911 Targa S
• 911 Targa 4S
• 911 Turbo cabriolet
• 718 Boxster and Boxster S

The Defect

Affected models have improperly bonded windshields that fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard regarding windshield mounting. The adhesive used during the manufacturing loses its sticking properties, allowing for separation between the windshield and vehicle frame. Should a crash occur, the windshield may separate from the vehicle body, further endangering occupants.

Timeline of Events

Porsche engineering personnel discovered the ineffective windshield bonding during post-production repairs Jan. 24, 2017. All of the vehicles in the batch were reviewed and deemed defective. Porsche then analyzed the fabrication process and other associated vehicles to determine a root cause. On Feb. 17, 2017, quality control officials at the automaker came to the conclusion that the defectives were the result of faulty production methods out of step with established company standards. Due to this deviation, the windshield adhesive was improperly mixed, rendering it ineffective. Porsche also found that the defect only affected convertibles, as these models exhibit unique windshield stress ratios.

The Porsche product safety committee reviewed the information and chose to launch a voluntary recall.

The Solution

Porsche has directed dealers to replace the windshields in affected vehicles, free of charge. Because the models are still under warranty, the automaker does not intend to issue reimbursements, according to NHTSA documents. The timetable for dealer and owner notification has not yet been established.

Atlanta, GA – Mar. 28, 2017 – Porsche Cars North America has recalled more than 17,800 vehicles equipped with defective passenger seat detectors, according to documents from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The recall affects Macan GTS, Turbo and S sports utility vehicles produced between March and October of 2015.

The Defect

Impacted models have defective occupant detection systems that may not deploy in the event of a crash. Consequently, these fixtures fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard safety codes. The indicator reading “Passenger Air Bag Off” illuminates in affected vehicles. The NHTSA and Porsche advise owners with vehicles subject to the recall to heed this warning and reseat passengers elsewhere, as these individuals will not have protection should an accident occur.

Timeline of Events

Porsche field investigators discovered a string of crashes involving illuminated “Passenger Air Bag Off’ lights during inspections in October 2016, according to the NHTSA. The automaker looked into the problem further and found that the indicator was a symptom of damaged occupant detection system features, specifically the sensor mats installed beneath the passenger seat. Engineers from Porsche’s Research and Development group analyzed defective parts from the field throughout February 2016. The team determined that the sensor mats included cracked conductive fabric prone to failure.

The Porsche product safety committee reviewed the findings Feb. 23, 2016 and decided to issue a voluntary recall.

The Solution

Porsche will recall affected vehicles to workshops and install new sensor mats and seat cushions, free of charge. The German car company does not intend to directly reimburse owners, as the repairs will be covered under preexisting warranties. Porsche has implemented new sensor mat models within its production facilities. There is no timetable for owner notification.