While driving at approximately 90 mph on XXX on the highway, my 2021 Porsche Taycan (VIN [XXX], 51,730 miles) displayed an electrical system error with the turtle (reduced power) icon. The car received all loss of acceleration, warning message to pull over to a complete stop, and was able thankfully to pull over safely to the shoulder. I took the vehicle to Porsche Atlanta Perimeter on XXX. The technician found fault code P0E9D00, DC/DC converter current circuit 2 short to ground, with an active red warning "Electrical System Fault - Stop Vehicle Safely" stored in the front (A49) or rear (A50) high-voltage power electronics control units. The dealer referenced Porsche Technical Information bulletin TI 2791. The technician reprogrammed both control units, raising the software level from 0021 to 0023, cleared the faults, and test drove 15 miles without reproducing the concern. My VIN is not included in recall [XXX] (AMB5 software error causing loss of motive power), but the symptoms and the fix appear closely related. The dealer also performed warranty reprogramming of the onboard charger, driver assistance, and 12V battery sensor control units during the same visit. I am reporting this because the vehicle may be affected by the same defect while falling outside the recall population. No crash or injury occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Porsche Taycan loss of power problems
43 of the 276 owner complaints about the Porsche Taycan describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2020 model year.
- owner complaints
- 43
- worst model year
- 2020
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
While driving my Porsche Taycan through a high-speed intersection, the vehicle suddenly displayed battery and chassis system error messages instructing me to pull over immediately. Before I could safely move the vehicle to the side of the road, it completely lost propulsion, speed control, and steering capability, causing the vehicle to abruptly slow to 0 mph in active traffic and leaving me stranded in the middle of the roadway. This created an immediate safety hazard, as approaching vehicles nearly collided with my car because it effectively performed an unexpected emergency stop without warning. Approximately one month earlier, the vehicle experienced the exact same failure while parked, displaying battery and chassis errors and losing power and steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Porsche dealership, where it remained for approximately one month; however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the problem and returned the vehicle to me, stating that no fault could be found. Just two days after the vehicle was returned, the identical failure occurred again while I was driving. After restarting the vehicle multiple times at the roadside, I was eventually able to move it to a safer location, where it failed again shortly thereafter. The vehicle is currently at the Porsche dealership and is available for inspection. The dealership has indicated that the issue may be related to the high-voltage battery but has not yet identified the root cause or completed repairs. The only prior warning of this defect was the nearly identical battery and chassis system failure that occurred approximately one month before this incident.
I am reporting a safety issue with my Porsche Taycan. On two separate occasions within the past month, the vehicle has experienced a sudden and complete loss of power while I was accelerating hard on the highway. In both instances, the vehicle immediately entered “turtle mode,” severely limiting performance to the point where there was effectively no power available to maintain speed or safely maneuver with traffic. The only way to restore normal operation was to fully stop the vehicle, turn it off, and restart it. This creates a dangerous situation, especially at highway speeds, as it exposes me and other drivers to a high risk of collision due to the sudden and unexpected loss of propulsion.
1. Do not charge the car more 80% fire risk. 2. Loss of power stalling,software malfunction. 3. Battery/Electrical: Battery issues,erratic instrument panel gauges or lights. electronic stability control overheating. 4. Miscellaneous Concerns; Battery power loss.
The car suffered a critical electrical failure which resulted in the car abruptly losing power when driving at a speed of about 30 mph. The speed at which the car became unresponsive was so rapid that the car could not even be maneuvered from the middle lane into the right most lane for safety. The cars digital display system indicated nothing except that the hazards were on (after I had attempted to turn them on) and a red box with two cog wheels inside of it. In reality, the hazard lights were NOT on externally as was evidenced by a number of vehicles stopping to tell me to turn on my hazards. Additionally the car would not respond to any commands whatsoever. The car would not go in to park or drive and could not be powered on/off. The brake pedal was able to be pushed to the floor. The doors which have an electronic assist system were difficult to open because the whole electrical system was in a failure state. The car had to be towed to a Porsche dealership. Upon arrival to the dealership, the car indicated an engine control error on the digital dash and showed a turtle icon. This was not the case during the original failure (prior to tow) and only showed that state after a multi-hour tow trip. There were absolutely no indications of this problem prior to it happening. The car was at around 40% state-of-charge. Porsche performed a software update on the car and drove it 120 miles but could not recreate it. The very same day I took the car back from Porsche, the same issue occurred but in a less critical way and in a parking lot. This time, the car suffered an engine control error but after walking away from the car for 10 minutes or so, the error was gone and the car was drive-able. In both cases, one thing i noticed was that the rear spoiler was stuck in an extended state after the failure had occurred.
During my ownership, the vehicle experienced multiple dangerous failures. It suddenly lost power while driving with my 2‑year‑old child onboard, and on another occasion the steering wheel locked for several seconds on the freeway. The car has had numerous recalls, and the dealer later confirmed an EV motor failure but offered no buyback. These defects created serious safety risks and caused significant financial loss, which I believe requires the federal safety agency’s attention.
I am filing a complaint regarding a serious design flaw in the Porsche Taycan that allows road debris and rocks to damage its radiator fans and cooling system, posing safety risks. The radiator fans are critical for thermal management in this electric vehicle, cooling the high voltage battery, power electronics, and motors to ensure safe operation, optimal performance, and battery longevity. Damaged fans can lead to overheating, reduced power output, or system shutdowns, increasing the risk of accidents, especially during high-speed or demanding driving conditions. Numerous Taycan owners, including myself, have reported radiator and fan damage from small rocks or debris entering through the front grille or wheel well vents. This issue has caused loud fan noises, reduced cooling efficiency, or complete fan failure, with repair costs ranging from $2000-$7000. I recently had replace both radiator fans in the total repair cost was approximately $6800. Porsche attributes these failures to external road hazards, often denying warranty claims, and owners face costly repairs or filing claims with their car insurance company. The Taycan’s cooling system design is inadequate for a high performance EV marketed for diverse driving conditions, including gravel roads or roads that are going through the process of re-pavement. The exposed fans and radiators are prone to damage, compromising the vehicle’s safety and reliability. This widespread issue warrants a recall to address the design flaw, such as installing robust protective screens or redesigning the cooling system to prevent debris ingress. Without intervention, owners face ongoing safety risks and financial burdens. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate and mandate a recall to ensure the Taycan’s critical cooling systems function safely under normal driving conditions.
I am writing to bring to your urgent attention a recurring and serious issue with my Porsche Taycan (VIN: [XXX] ). On multiple occasions while driving, the vehicle has suddenly lost all power and displayed the error message: "Engine control error. Stop the car in a safe place." When this occurs, the car becomes completely unresponsive and unable to move forward, posing a significant safety risk, especially when it happens in traffic. I am forced to stop, switch off the vehicle, wait for a couple of minutes, and restart it. The error message disappears after restarting, but the issue continues to recur. This has now happened three times in the past two months. I first brought the vehicle to the dealer after the initial incident, and they recommended a software update. However, after the issue reoccurred and I returned to the dealership, they were unable to retrieve any error codes. Despite these efforts, the problem persists. Given the severity of the issue and the risk it poses while driving, I am requesting immediate assistance and a thorough investigation into the root cause of this malfunction. This is not only a mechanical concern but a serious safety issue that requires urgent attention. Please let me know the next steps to have this addressed properly and whether a formal case can be opened for further diagnostics and resolution. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving, shortly after a turn, the electric motor has a fatal error resulting in complete loss of power while driving. The car has to be stopped in the middle of the road and powered down and then turned back on. This clears the fault but the problem has occurred 3 times within a month resulting in me not driving it anymore.
While driving my electric vehicle, I experienced a sudden loss of power. The car abruptly stopped, leaving tire marks on the street, and the steering wheel began shaking. At the same time, an error message appeared on the dashboard, indicating an engine failure and instructing me to pull over immediately for safety. Fortunately, I was driving alone that day and had chosen an alternative residential route, which allowed for slower speeds and less traffic. Had this incident occurred during my usual commute, where I typically travel at least 45 mph on a heavily trafficked three-lane road, the outcome could have been catastrophic. I am certain that the sudden loss of power in such conditions would have led to a serious accident, endangering not only myself but also other road users. The service center required a full week to duplicate the issue. While there were no prior warnings, messages, or symptoms leading up to this event on my car after researching the incident it is clear that this same instance occurred in over 10,000 like kind vehicles under the federal safety agency recall number 21V‑486. This unexpected failure poses a significant safety risk, and I am deeply concerned about the potential for recurrence, especially in less forgiving traffic conditions.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM): software
- What is wrong
- Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Taycan Turbo, Taycan Turbo S, Taycan 4S, 2021 Taycan, Taycan Cross Turismo, Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, and Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo vehicles. The monitoring software can incorrectly detect a fault and shutdown the power train, causing a loss of motive power.
- Risk
- A loss of motive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the power electronics and the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1‑800‑767‑7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB5.
Recall number 21V486000 · Recall details
Questions about the Porsche Taycan loss of power
Which Porsche Taycan years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2020 (25 complaints), 2022 (8 complaints) and 2021 (7 complaints).
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