2020 Porsche Taycan engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V486000Jun 29, 202110,373 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION MOTOR:CONTROLLER:SOFTWARE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed May 17, 2026CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Component/system: High-voltage (HV) battery system and power electronics. 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo, VIN [XXX] . Vehicle available for inspection. Safety risk: Since January 2025, the vehicle has repeatedly displayed a "pull over and park safely" emergency warning and shut off unexpectedly while driving at highway and surface road speeds. Sudden loss of propulsion at speed created serious collision risk. Dealer-confirmed: Porsche Woodland Hills documented (July 2025):…

   NHTSA complaint #11738439 · source
2. Filed Apr 20, 2026CTFireElectrical SystemEngineSeats & Seat Belts

   There are .recalls.on the Vehicle I had been unaware of and I dropped off my vehicle for exterior buffing while person Buffing vehicle he heard a loud explosion and when he looked the vehicle was up in flames the vehicle burned. There was a Risk of someone getting Harm , Killed and Damages to other vehicles on the property in same lot vehicle was being buffed . Police and Fireman were dispatch to location.

   NHTSA complaint #11732488 · source
3. Filed Feb 25, 2026GAEngine

   While driving the vehicle, an error message (Engine Control Error) will pop up. The car will come to an immediate stop…forcing the driver to shut off car and restart it. This has happened multiple times and in one instance occurred on the highway. It almost caused a catastrophic accident as the car came to an abrupt stop in the middle lane of the highway. I’ve taken the car to the dealership multiple times and they have not been able to fix it. I’ve read many Taycan message…

   NHTSA complaint #11720540 · source
4. Filed Jan 21, 2026MAEngine

   The EV had a “Engine Control Error” and suffered engine failure on Jan 6th 2026 at 5:17pm. It happened out of nowhere without any warning at low speed.

   NHTSA complaint #11712514 · source
5. Filed Jan 8, 2026TXEngine

   Made a turn into a street and driving at slow pace (about 20mph) and the vehicle suddenly shuddered and came to complete stop and died in the middle of the road. I had no time to pull over. No warning. It just happened. Fortunately, no oncoming or cars behind me. There was a red dash board warning “Engine Control Error”. I turned off the vehicle and restarted.

   NHTSA complaint #11709797 · source
6. Filed Dec 8, 2025CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine

   The vehicle experiences a sudden and dangerous malfunction while driving. Without any prior warning, the vehicle begins to shake and then immediately brakes on its own, coming to an abrupt stop in the middle of traffic. Only after the vehicle has already braked and shut down does an “Engine Control Error” message appear on the display. There is no advance alert and no time for the driver to react or move out of traffic. This is exceptionally concerning especially as this…

   NHTSA complaint #11703735 · source
7. Filed Nov 5, 2025CAEngineSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 NHTSA’s attention.

   NHTSA complaint #11697761 · source
8. Filed Apr 28, 2025CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11657314 · source
9. Filed Sep 29, 2023HIEngine

   The car was suddenly stalled at road multiple times, showing red warning "Engine control error. Park vehicle in a safe place" . Porsche is unable to solve such major safety issue of its electric car for past two years.

   NHTSA complaint #11547254 · source
10. Filed Sep 26, 2023TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine

    I was driving 30 mph in drive mode on westheimer rd when the car suddenly emergency braked and lost all power i went from 30 to 0 in about a second. Yes the car is available for inspection on request. The car had 180 miles of battery power. The car behind me slammed their brakes on and nearly slammed into the rear of the car. The red warning light came on "Electrical System Error park vehicle in a safe place". There was absolutely no warning before this occurred. I am afraid…

    NHTSA complaint #11546706 · source
11. Filed Jun 13, 2021GAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Car completely shut down in an intersection, lost all power and would not move, error read: Motor control error stop vehicle in a safe place. prior to shutting down the vehicle jerked and slammed on the brakes in a busy intersection.

    NHTSA complaint #11420734 · source
12. Filed May 28, 2021NYElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    While driving normally on a highway, the car suddenly reported "Electrical System Error, Stop vehicle in a safe place", which is followed by a complete loss of power, even pressed on acceleration pedal. I immediately pulled over to the side of the highway, the car slowed down quickly and stopped. The car was unable to restart ever since. After 1-2 hours, the vehicle's power was completely lost.

    NHTSA complaint #11418935 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology