2020-2024 · Dual motor AWD, 79.2 kWh or 93.4 kWh battery (530-563 hp)
Porsche's first dedicated EV and the sweet spot of the Taycan range. Exceptional driving dynamics and 800V fast charging architecture, but reliability surveys rank it poorly among EVs. Main concerns: high-voltage heater failures (being addressed via service campaign), software glitches in the PCM infotainment, 12V lithium battery drain, interior rattles from door panels, and air suspension issues. Multiple recalls affect 2020-2024 models for battery fire risk, brake hoses, and display malfunctions. Not recommended outside warranty coverage due to potentially high repair costs.
HVAC heating module fails due to faulty soldering, affects cabin heat and battery conditioning · more· less
Porsche has acknowledged an HVAC quality issue affecting cabin heating in 2020-2023 Taycans. An out-of-spec soldering job on the circuit board causes the failure. This component is critical - it handles cabin heating, defrosting, and battery pack pre-conditioning. Nearly 100,000 vehicles have this part installed, with at least 136 documented failures. Some owners have had the unit replaced 3-4 times. Porsche is offering free replacement as a service campaign for all Taycans built before February 2023. If your car falls outside this campaign, expect €2,000-4,000 for parts and 6+ hours labor.
PCM infotainment crashes and glitches€0-500
Screen freezes, system crashes, CarPlay disconnects - based on VW Group MIB3 system · more· less
The Taycan uses the VW Group MIB3 infotainment system, which has proven problematic. Owners report frozen screens, black displays after startup, navigation failures, and CarPlay glitches as regular occurrences. In What Car?'s reliability survey, the infotainment system was cited as one of the main trouble spots. A recall (2020-2022 models) addresses a software error causing the center screen and rearview camera to remain black after ignition. Most issues are software-related and fixed via updates, but two-thirds of affected cars were out of action for more than a week waiting for repairs. DIY fix: touch two fingers in top right corner to access engineer menu and reboot.
12V lithium battery drain/failure€1,500-3,000
Lithium 12V battery drains within 2-3 days if car sits unused, expensive replacement · more· less
The Taycan uses a lithium-based 12V battery (not traditional lead-acid) that powers essential systems. If the car sits idle for more than a few days, this battery can drain completely, leaving the car unresponsive or locked. The 12V battery isn't directly charged by driving - instead, the high-voltage battery charges it through a converter, and software issues can disrupt this process. Dashcams are a common culprit for accelerated drain. Replacement costs range from €1,500-3,000 at dealers. Some owners have successfully coded the car to accept a cheaper AGM battery as an alternative. The 12V battery is typically not covered under warranty as it's considered a consumable.
Air suspension compressor/strut failure€2,500-6,000
PASM air suspension shows incorrect ride height, self-levels unevenly, or drops completely · more· less
Air suspension failures are not uncommon on Porsche vehicles. Owners have reported compressor failures on cars as new as 2 months old, causing the car to drop and not lift. A recall addressed manufacturing deviations in some suspension struts where a notch could cause the retaining ring to release air. Compressor replacement runs €2,500+, while individual air struts cost €1,500-2,000 each plus labor. Important: most extended warranties exclude air suspension parts due to their high failure rate over time. The rubber seals inevitably degrade, making this a "when not if" repair on older vehicles.
Interior rattles (door panels, trim)€0-800
Door panels, LED light strips, seats, and steering column area develop rattles and squeaks · more· less
Because the Taycan is so quiet as an EV, interior noises are particularly noticeable and annoying. The most common culprit is the door panels - Porsche originally used a glue-like material that separates over time, causing vibration while driving. Porsche has since changed to rivets for newer production. Other problem areas include the LED light strip wire harness, 14-way seat mechanisms, front headrests, and steering column trim. Some owners describe the interior build quality as below expectations for the price point. Dealers can fix these under warranty, but often require multiple visits. DIY solutions include felt tape and Krytox lubricant.
Unexpected shift to neutral/park (2022 models)€0 (TSB fix)
Vehicle shifts into neutral or park without driver input, primarily affects 2022 builds · more· less
Multiple owners reported their Taycans shifting into neutral or park without warning while driving at low speeds. Between December 2021 and October 2022, 30 owners filed NHTSA complaints about this issue, with half related to powertrain concerns. Porsche issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #2209) in April 2022 identifying this as a firmware bug. The fix involves a software update. In some cases, dealers found hundreds of faults in the gateway control module requiring replacement. The vehicle can be put back into drive manually, but this is obviously concerning for safety.
Battery degradation€0 (warranty) / €40,000+
Expect 5% loss in first year, then 1% per year - warranty covers below 80% at 37,500 km · more· less
Typical lithium-ion degradation is approximately 5% in the first year, then 1% annually for the next 5 years, and 0.5% thereafter - roughly 10% total after 6 years. One high-mileage Taycan (100,000+ km) still had 91% of original capacity. However, some owners have reported losing 9% within 2 years despite only using home charging. Hot climates accelerate degradation. The first warranty milestone is 80% capacity at 37,500 km. If replacement is needed outside warranty, expect €40,000-50,000 for a new battery pack. Keep state of charge between 20-85% for optimal battery health.
Electric steering rack failure€5,000-7,000
Steering rack requires replacement, typically shows "power steering failure" warning · more· less
Some owners have experienced electric steering rack failures, sometimes on vehicles just weeks old. Symptoms include a warning message stating "power steering failure, safe to drive, visit workshop." The entire steering rack unit typically needs replacement. Repair costs including labor and diagnostics range from €5,000-7,000. Some owners have faced warranty denials due to minor cosmetic damage (like wheel scuffing) that dealers claimed indicated an impact. A weak 12V battery can also trigger false steering warnings.
Below-average reliability for an EV, high repair costs outside warranty
In What Car?'s reliability survey, the Taycan ranked last out of 20 electric cars, with 46% of owners reporting problems. The infotainment and air conditioning were the main trouble spots. While the electric motors themselves appear robust, the complexity of this first-generation EV platform creates numerous potential failure points. Extended warranty coverage is strongly recommended - Porsche offers up to 10 years/160,000 km. Budget €2,000-3,000 annually as a repair contingency if running outside warranty.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Porsche dealer records essential. Verify all software updates have been applied.
Tires
Staggered setup (different front/rear sizes). Check tread depth and age - 21-inch tires cost €500+ each.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds to get all systems up to temperature.
Body condition
Check for accident damage. Taycan body repairs are extremely expensive (€7,000-10,000 for a door).
Specific for this vehicle
Battery state of health (SoH)
Have Porsche dealer run diagnostics or use OBD reader with CarScanner app. Expect 90%+ SoH. First warranty threshold is 80% at 37,500 km.
Verify battery size
Confirm whether it has the 79.2 kWh or 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus. The larger battery has better range and faster charging.
Test heating system
Run climate control on max heat for 10+ minutes. If heating fails or is weak, the HV heater may need replacement.
Check for interior rattles
Drive over rough roads and listen carefully. Press on door panels, dashboard trim, and steering column covers.
Test all PCM functions
Navigate through all infotainment menus, test CarPlay/Android Auto, verify rear camera displays immediately when reversing.
Air suspension inspection
Check that car sits level. Cycle through all ride height modes. Listen for compressor running excessively.
Verify all recalls completed
Critical: front brake hoses, HV battery short circuit, seat belt warning, and center screen recalls. Check via VIN at recall.porsche.com.
Check 12V battery health
Ask when the 12V battery was last replaced. If the car has sat unused for extended periods, the lithium 12V battery may be degraded.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Front brake hoses crack/leak (2020-2025)Verify completed
HV battery short circuit risk (2020-2024)Verify completed
Center screen/rearview camera black (2020-2022)Verify completed
Seat belt warning malfunction (2020-2023)Verify completed
Brake pad warning indicator color (2020-2022)Verify completed
Occupant classification system (2022-2023)Verify completed
Air suspension strut (select vehicles)Verify completed
The Taycan has had numerous recalls affecting safety-critical systems. Enter your VIN at recall.porsche.com to verify all recalls have been completed. The HV battery recall requires limiting charging to 80% until repaired. Contact Porsche customer service at +49-711-911-0 (Germany) for additional verification.
The European factory warranty is only 2 years (vs. 4 years in the US). Extended warranty (Porsche Approved) can be purchased up to 15 years total if renewed before expiration. If the factory warranty has expired, the car must pass a 111-point inspection before extended coverage can be purchased. Given the Taycan's reliability record, extended warranty is highly recommended. Note that air suspension is typically excluded from extended warranties.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.