Porsche Cars North America is recalling a significant number of Taycan electric vehicles manufactured between 2020 and 2024 due to issues with their high-voltage battery modules. The recalls, encompassing two separate campaigns, affect a total of 27,720 vehicles. The first recall, ARB5, involves 27,527 units with anomalies in their battery modules.
As a temporary measure, owners of these vehicles have been advised to limit their charging to 80% to prevent potential short circuits. A permanent solution will involve replacing the affected battery modules.
The second recall, ARB6 and ARB7, is a bundled campaign known as 24V-731. ARB6 includes vehicles for which Porsche lacks sufficient battery data to assess module anomalies, while ARB7 covers vehicles with data indicating no issues. All affected vehicles will receive an onboard diagnostic software update to detect potential battery problems in real time.
The faulty modules have been traced back to LG Energy Solution’s Polish subsidiary, which produced them with manufacturing defects that could lead to rare thermal events. Porsche will notify owners of the recall by November 29, 2024, and has emphasized that vehicles produced after April 3, 2024, are not subject to the recalls.
Replacement modules will be manufactured using improved production processes to address the quality issues that led to the recalls. The recent battery recall for the Porsche Taycan has once again highlighted the potential risks associated with electric vehicle technology.
While the Stuttgart based automaker has yet to announce a timeline for the availability of replacement battery modules, the advanced diagnostic software is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2025. This incident is likely to have significant financial implications for LG Energy Solution, the South Korean battery manufacturer responsible for the faulty components.
This is not the first time LG has faced such a crisis; the company previously agreed to pay $1.9 billion to settle claims related to battery issues in the Chevrolet Bolt. More recently, GM and LG established a $150 million fund to compensate Bolt EV and EUV owners. Despite the Bolt’s temporary hiatus, the Taycan has entered the 2025 model year with numerous updates.
One of the most notable changes is the introduction of the Turbo GT, which boasts an impressive 1,019 horsepower with launch control and overboost activated. In Attack Mode, the Turbo GT can generate an even more astonishing 1,092 horsepower and 988 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds.
With Porsche test driver Lars Kern behind the wheel, a Taycan Turbo GT Weissach recently lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 7 seconds, just 2 seconds slower than the record-holding Rimac Nevera. Considering its price, the 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach can be considered a performance bargain.
However, the Taycan recall serves as a reminder that electric vehicles are still a relatively new technology and that there are still challenges to be overcome. The incident also raises questions about the long-term reliability and safety of electric vehicle batteries, particularly as the industry continues to grow and the demand for electric vehicles increases.
While the Porsche Taycan remains a highly desirable and capable electric vehicle, the recall has highlighted the need for continued research and development to ensure the safety and reliability of electric vehicle batteries.
