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.

Atlanta, Georg. — September 07, 2016 — A new recall concerns 306 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder vehicles. The official Part 573 Safety Recall Report on this issue said that the seat belt mount and reels in these vehicles may have been secured with the wrong screws. As such, occupants could be at a higher risk of crash than usual.

If the seat belts in these Porsches are removed, the report said, new screws are needed to put them back into place. Owners, drivers and passengers might notice “clicking noises,” the source said, as well as new stiffness with the seat belt, which won’t be able to swiftly move around as would normally be seen.

The report also said that the issue with the screws was first noticed May 30, 2016, though the recall itself wasn’t put into action until July 4. Though this document didn’t list the official recall schedule, it did state that the remedy would involve inspecting the screws and competing repairs depending on the situation.

Other Porsche recalls include a June action involving vehicles of the same make and model year, one which left vehicles at possible risk of fire. These were manufactured between February 25, 2014 and April 29, 2015, potentially affecting as many as 223 vehicles.

The danger came from the included wiring harnesses, which could possibly spark a fire if they make contact with the engine heat insulation plate. These harnesses, which connected the left radiator fans in targeted vehicles, were accessed through the vehicles’ engine compartments. The wire chafing issue was attributed to two 2015 field incidents, one in April and the other in May.