Thousands of Porsche electric vehicles recalled due to fire hazard

They run the risk of catching fire. Porsche has announced a recall of several thousand electric Taycans, the manufacturer confirmed on Thursday. Defective cells in some batteries can cause a short circuit and cause a fire, a brand spokesperson said.

The German brand first identified 858 units of the Taycan, its first electric model, and recalled them in January 2024. Following an in-depth analysis, other potentially affected vehicles are subject to a new recall. According to data collected by Porsche, 2,936 of these sports sedans were found to have “irregularities” in the battery module settings.

These vehicles are being recalled to replace some modules. This operation involves removing and opening the large 600 kg battery located under the vehicle. A further 4,522 Taycans could not be analyzed and must be returned to the garage for testing. Renault, Ford and GM have already carried out similar recalls due to defective batteries.

An irreplaceable model

Battery cells for the Taycan are supplied by Korean electronics giant LG, and the batteries are assembled in Germany and then installed under the car at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen plant.

Launched in 2019, the Taycan sold more than 40,000 units in 2023 (+16.7% year-on-year). This first electric model is necessary for the German brand, which plans to sell 80% of electric vehicles in 2030. According to the brand, the Taycan also has the advantage of attracting the majority (60%) of new customers to the Porsche ranks. . The brand has just unveiled a new version of the Taycan and is gradually electrifying the rest of its range, from the small Macan SUV this year to the sporty 718 in 2025.