Porsche Taycan Turbo S J1

Porsche has recalled 2020-2024 Taycans (27,700+ vehicles globally) due to a production defect in battery cells manufactured by LG Energy Solution in Poland. An internal short circuit can lead to thermal runaway, creating a fire risk without warning. The recall has been expanded multiple times (designations ARA4, ARB5, ARB6, ARB7). Porsche installs diagnostic software to monitor cell behaviour and replaces affected battery modules where anomalies are detected, all at no cost. Until the fix is installed, owners are advised to limit charging to 80% maximum state of charge. This is the most critical item to verify before purchasing any used Taycan Turbo S — confirm with the VIN at recall.porsche.com that all battery campaigns are completed.

One of the most frequently reported Taycan issues across all variants. The 12V lithium battery powers door locks, infotainment, and the high-voltage battery initialisation circuit. When it fails, the car becomes completely unresponsive — doors may not unlock, screens stay dark, and the car will not drive even with a fully charged main battery. Cars left unused for more than 2-3 weeks are particularly vulnerable, and connected apps or aftermarket dashcams accelerate the problem. Porsche has released software updates (firmware WSS6) to improve 12V charging logic, but early 2020-2021 cars remain susceptible. Replacement requires a Porsche dealer because the battery uses a proprietary lithium chemistry coded to the VIN. A LiFePO4-compatible trickle charger (e.g. CTEK Lithium US) is essential for cars not driven weekly.

A widespread issue particularly on 2020-2022 Taycans. The Porsche Communication Management system can freeze, display a black screen, lose Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, or reboot spontaneously while driving. The reversing camera may also fail to display or show signal noise — this is subject to a separate recall (ASB2) covering 2020-2025 Taycans. Most PCM issues are resolved through software updates (OTA or at the dealer for €150-350). If the central computer hardware has failed, replacement runs €1,500-2,500 out of warranty. Check the installed software version and whether all software campaigns have been applied.

Porsche acknowledged an HVAC quality issue affecting cabin heating in 2020-2023 Taycans. A faulty soldering joint on a circuit board within the heat pump module can cause heating to fail entirely. At least 136 cases have been tracked, with some cars requiring multiple replacements. Repair takes approximately 6 hours of specialist labour, and parts have been on backorder in some regions. The heat pump also manages battery thermal conditioning, so failure can reduce charging speed and winter range. Typically covered under the 8-year EV system warranty when detected, but out-of-warranty repairs run €800-2,500.

Air suspension is standard on the Turbo S. Faults can develop in the height sensors, air struts, or compressor/regulator unit. Symptoms include the car sitting unevenly after parking, a Chassis error message, or the suspension locking at its lowest setting. Many cases are calibration drift or voltage fluctuation rather than hardware failure, which a dealer software reset resolves for €150-350. Actual strut or compressor failure requires component replacement: a single air strut costs €600-1,000, the compressor €800-1,200 installed. Aftermarket options from brands like Arnott reduce costs by roughly 40%.

The Turbo S comes with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) as standard. The discs are extremely durable in normal road use (regen handles most braking) and typically last 100,000+ km. However, they are sensitive to track use, salt corrosion, and impact damage. Replacement cost is severe: a front disc alone costs approximately €4,500-5,300, rear discs around €4,000-4,900 per pair, with pads €450-900 per axle. A full set of discs and pads at a Porsche dealer can exceed €18,000. Inspect carefully for surface chips, cracks, or corrosion before purchase — damage that voids the discs can occur from a single track day or one harsh winter.

The integrated on-board AC charger (up to 22 kW on optional spec, 11 kW standard) can fail, preventing AC charging at home or public AC chargers. Symptoms include an Electrical System Fault warning and the car refusing to initiate AC charging, while DC fast charging may still work. The unit costs approximately €2,000-2,500 for the part, plus 3-4 hours of specialist high-voltage labour at €150-250/hour. Parts availability can be an issue, with some owners waiting 4-6 weeks. Typically covered under the 8-year EV system warranty.

Porsche has recalled 2020-2025 Taycan models because the front brake hoses can develop cracks over time, leading to brake fluid leakage. This can cause reduced braking performance or a spongy brake pedal. Dealers replace the front brake hoses at no cost. Verify completion before any test drive.

A small number of 2020-2021 Taycans have suffered rear inverter failures — in some cases caused by a short circuit between high-voltage phases that physically burns the inverter control unit. Earlier software-related cases (false error messages triggering powertrain shutdown) were addressed by NHTSA recall 21V486. Hardware-failure cases require full rear inverter replacement, with the part costing €3,500-5,000 plus 20-25 hours of specialist labour at €150-250/hour, totalling €8,500-15,000. Typically covered under the 8-year EV system warranty when in coverage. Verify recall 21V486 (software update) has been applied.