Owners of the Porsche Taycan thought their new luxury electric sports car would be the proverbial wet dream come true, but recent safety concerns have been a rude awakening for some.
Indeed, the electrified Porsche offers consumers a way to curb greenhouse gas emissions without curbing their enthusiasm for a fancy sports car.
However, complaints over the past year to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) paint a different picture.
Taycan owners expressed concerns for their safety due to electrical problems, defective brakes, and other concerns. There are also seven federal safety recalls for problems such as battery fires following charging, seat wiring issues, defective seat belt warning lights/chimes, and problematic 220V/240V compact/portable charging cables.
Certainly, the owners of these luxury electric sports cars who experience issues will be upset given the $88,150 to $188,850 price tag on these vehicles. Some would say it’s to be expected as electric vehicles are still in their infancy, but thankfully there are California lemon laws that protect consumers.
Porsche Taycan History
Porsche advertised the first 2020 Taycan models as having the same “heart and soul” as its legendary gas lineup of luxury sports cars, but just a different power source – electricity. The company chose the name Taycan, which is a blend of two terms of Turkic origin, to translate this message of the “soul of a spirited young horse” as it is featured in the Porsche crest or logo.
When the first Porsche Taycans hit the market in 2020, Porsche sold 20,000 units worldwide, or 7.4 percent of total Porsche worldwide sales volume. Three years later, sales of the Taycan in the United States reached 7,570 units, or roughly 10 percent of sales in 2023 for Porsche North America.
However, one survey of 2023 Taycan owners shows nearly half of them find the car is unreliable due to technical problems and roughly two-thirds say the car spent more than a week in the repair shop, according to What Car.
Porsche Taycan Owner Complaints
Meanwhile, the complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlight potential problems experienced by owners.
For example, the owner of a 2023 Porsche Taycan in Pennsylvania told federal safety investigators last year he couldn’t stop the electric sports car while traveling at low speed and noted the brake pedal went all the way to the floor.
“The Porsche dealer confirms it is a problem with Taycans and acknowledges the potential for accidents,” the driver’s NHTSA complaint said.
Another complained that their Taycan suddenly accelerated, the brakes wouldn’t work and they crashed into their house. “No one was injured, but the car was declared a total loss,” the owner from Clovis, CA said.
Some other Taycan owners reported to safety regulators and safety studies they had electrical issues such as rattling or buzzing in the air conditioning, infotainment system, distorted images on the rear camera and defective heater/defroster.
Meanwhile, there are also reports from drivers about a red warning light that instructs them to immediately stop the car and restart it.
Furthermore, the owner of a Taycan Turbo S reports his 3-year-old car with 30,000 miles on it has experienced roughly a 30 percent drop in range and the tires wore down to the cords. The driving range for the Taycan has a maximum EPA estimated range of 246 miles.
Other issues reported to federal safety regulators include automatic door handles sometimes automatically close on a person’s fingers
One driver received a red warning light on their dashboard telling them to park the vehicle in a safe place. After getting the warning four separate times while driving on the freeway, the motorist returned the vehicle to Porsche. The dealership claimed to fix it, but it happened again and the car was almost rear-ended.
California Lemon Law Lawyer James Johnson 1-(877) 465-8161
Is it time to break up with your luxury sports car? Are you tired of repeated problems such as electrical issues, engine problems, or a dangerous safety issue? If that sounds familiar, you don’t have to wait for a recall before you reach out to an experienced attorney and get help. California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson will review your case and let you know if it qualifies as a lemon.
We highly recommend that Porsche Taycan owners with steering, engine, or other problems obtain invoices for all repairs and recall visits from the dealership. These documents will support your potential case. Should the vehicle experience repeated issues or become a safety risk, these documents support the Lemon Law Claim. Contact us for a free case review at 1-(877) 465-8161 or read on for answers to frequently asked questions.
Published on May 7, 2024
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about vehicles that may be covered by the California lemon law. However, the lemon law has very specific requirements that must be met for your vehicle to be considered a lemon. Every case has a unique set of circumstances and there are specific criteria that must be met for the lemon law to apply. It is imperative that you take immediate action if you believe your vehicle may qualify.
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