Nearly 11,000 Porsche Taycans facing passenger airbag issues prompt recall
Porsche Recalls Over 11,000 Taycan Models in North America Due to Passenger Seat Cushion Sensor Defect
Porsche has announced a recall of approximately 11,000 units of the 2022 and 2023 Taycan models in North America. The recall is part of a broader series of recall campaigns affecting Taycan models from 2020 through 2025.
The recall is related to a safety concern with the occupant classification system (OCS), specifically the passenger seat cushion sensor. This issue has been identified as recall ASA2. Other recalls, such as high-voltage battery recalls covering models up to 2024 (ARB6/ARB7), front brake hose cracks, and other safety-related software updates and component replacements, have also been reported.
The OCS defect could potentially cause the system to incorrectly detect the presence or weight of a passenger, affecting airbag deployment. Owners of affected vehicles have been or will be notified by Porsche dealerships to repair or replace faulty components free of charge.
The recall includes the Taycan, Taycan Cross Turismo, and Cross Turismo Turbo models, produced between January 3, 2022, and March 31, 2023. In Canada, 878 Taycan vehicles are included in the recall, while in the United States, the recall covers 9,735 Taycans.
The issue originates from a manufacturing defect in the crimp connection of the seat cushion's heating mat. If improperly executed, this connection can cause the OCS to malfunction, entering a fail-safe mode that disables the front passenger airbag. Drivers may notice warning indicators such as an illuminated "Passenger Airbag OFF" light, a chime, and a dashboard error message.
Porsche strongly advises against using the front passenger seat if these warnings appear. The defect in the production vehicles was resolved after March 2023. To address the issue, Porsche dealers will replace the entire front passenger seat cushion with an updated version featuring a more robust crimp connection.
Lear Corporation Hungary is identified as the supplier of the faulty component. Porsche estimates that around 3% of the recalled vehicles may be affected. Notifications for these recalls have been issued primarily in late 2024 and early 2025.
To confirm recall status and initiate repairs, Porsche owners can contact Porsche customer service or visit authorized dealers. Despite extensive recall activity, official North American recall notices do not yet reflect a unique recall solely for the occupant classification system separate from the passenger seat cushion recall (ASA2). However, affected 2022-2023 Taycan owners have reported receiving multiple recall notifications addressing these and other safety issues.
In light of the manufacturing defect in the crimp connection of the seat cushion's heating mat, Porsche is also recommending updates in the automotive industry, specifically focusing on the quality assurance in finance-related processes like component sourcing from suppliers such as Lear Corporation Hungary. Additionally, this recall, associated with the occupant classification system (OCS) defect, has brought attention to the importance of maintaining functional safety features in vehicles, especially those involving critical systems like airbag deployment in the finance, automotive, and transportation sectors.
