Air bag light turns to "off" despite passenger sitting in seat. Took car to dealer (Bill Pearce Motors) who "verified customers concern" and "found fault present for passenger seat mat resistance to high" with a recommendation to replace "seat mat and module." This is at our expense (quote of $3700) and two trips to the dealer, being charged diagnostic fee each time. It is noted that a previous recall exists for this issue, however, it did not cover this vehicle. the federal safety agency ID 21V‑131
2018 Porsche Macan airbags problems
10 complaints (28% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 28%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Porsche Macan airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Porsche Macan airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
- What is wrong
- Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Macan, Macan Turbo Kits, Macan GTS, 2015-2018 Macan S, and Macan Turbo vehicles. The front passenger seat occupancy sensor mat may degrade and fail to detect a passenger in the front seat.
- Risk
- The air bag will not deploy during a crash if a front passenger is undetected, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor mat and seat cushion, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1‑800‑767‑7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMA2.
Recall number 21V131000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
What 2018 Porsche Macan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The airbag light came on in the vehicle. We took it into the dealership, they said we need a passenger airbag sensor mat and seat cushion for the passenger seat airbag system. This item was recalled in 2018 Porche Macon the federal safety agency Campain ID 21V131000/Recall AMA2. Porche said since our VIN was not included in the recall we have to pay to fix it. They said the only way to get our VIN added was to contact the federal safety agency. The quote to fix an item that has been recalled was over $1,800. It doesn't seem fair to have to pay for something that has been recalled for this car and is known to be defective. The vehicle is ready for inspection anytime. The passenger safety is at risk as defined by the recall. "The air bag will not deploy during a crash if a front passenger is undetected, increasing the risk or injury." The problem first appeared last year around May 2023 and it took a while to get an appointment at the dealership. I was not aware of this recall until today when I did a Kelly Blue Book value on the vehicle. I just called Porche and they said there is nothing they can do and to contact the federal safety agency to get our VIN added to the recall list. Attached is the repair estimate from the Porche dealership.
The passenger airbag light always indicates that no one is sitting in the passenger seat even when it is occupied. This is apparently the same issue other 2018 Porsche Macan's have had but for some reason my car is not included. This is the same as the AMA2 airbag/SRS Fault - DTC B102204. recall.
I own a 2018 Macan GTS and the passenger airbag sensor was defective. My VIN was not covered by the federal safety agency’s recall (21V131000) thought it is the same part that was defective and is the same make/model/year. I have submitted a request to Porsche for reimbursement for the repair, but they have denied my request without explanation.
Forgot case number with Porsche it is 800053607 Porsche says car is unsafe to drive. My case number with the federal safety agency is 11522971
While in Dallas TX on Feb 23 2023 I took my car to dealer air bag light came on. Issue was seat belt sensor defective part number 95B 881 256 BA repair set seat occupancy sensor. Found out there are several Macan GTS 2018 same problem.
On November 26, 2021 I brought the vehicle in for service due to an airbag warning light. The dealer informed me that the front seat passenger occupancy sensor mat was faulty and must be replaced. The dealer disconnected the seat sensor, thus removing the air bag safety protection system for front seat passenger as the instrument panel shows no occupant in front passenger seat. I have repeated called the dealer only to be told the part was on back-order, but that was four months ago. I have also reached out to Porsche and they where not helpful. My concern is, in the vent of an accident, that the front seat passengers injuries could be fatal.
The contact's wife owns a 2018 Porsche Macan. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V131000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the parts were unavailable despite having received a letter stating otherwise. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Consumer has stated since March 24th,2022 nothing has been done.
I cannot use my car for fearing of legal actions if I put anybody onto the front passenger seat. This recall has been on since April this year— that’s almost 5 months. I’ve contacted the Porshe dealership so many times and they still haven’t received the parts from the manufacturer.
Front Passenger Seat occupancy sensor mat recall has not been remedy by my porsche dealership within a reasonable amount of time. I have made several attempts, calls, emails, and subsequently reached out to Porsche customer services and Porsche USA --- all advising someone will reach out and it will be rectified. Subsequently, all I received was a letter with regards to the recall April 30, 2021 however they have been aware long prior about the situation. Even when it went in for service, they detected and service department forgot to mention/address to the representative I work with at the dealership. it is unreasonable for Porsche to expect me to continually not have a passenger in my front seat when this vehicle is my main means of transportation.
Questions about the 2018 Porsche Macan airbags
Does the 2018 Porsche Macan have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 10 complaints about the airbags of the 2018 Porsche Macan, 28% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2018 Porsche Macan airbags problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Porsche Macan airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 21V131000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Porsche Macan have bad airbags?
The Porsche Macan model years with the most airbags complaints are 2017 (21 complaints), 2016 (10 complaints) and 2018 (10 complaints).
Other 2018 Porsche Macan problems
Fuel system 10Steering 6Electrical 5Seat belts 3Brakes 2Driver assistance 2Lights 2Body 1Engine 1Seats 1Tires 1Transmission 1
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