Porsche Taycan
The base Taycan with single motor and 79 kWh battery — rear-wheel drive, 300 kW in overboost. This is the entry to a vehicle that's among the most technologically advanced in its class: 800V architecture, Porsche-typical suspension, precise steering feel. The sound is missing — that's a fact, and anyone struggling with that should stay with a combustion engine. There's an optional Electric Sport Sound that at least partially compensates for the missing engine note. Real-world battery range is realistically 350–380 km in daily use.
Taycan RWD: Entry into a New World
The base Taycan with rear-wheel drive and small battery is the most accessible way into the Taycan concept — and even this entry level makes it clear that this is no ordinary electric vehicle. The chassis is tuned to Porsche standards: communicative, precise, no sluggish EV feel. Rear-wheel drive makes it more engaging in dry conditions than AWD. Range of 350 km realistic with restrained driving. The sound is missing — that's the one thing to accept.
Engine Weaknesses 7
The Webasto H10 heating module fails due to a solder defect on the circuit board. The cabin stays cold and HV battery thermal management is impaired. Porsche replaced the H10 with the H11.
Symptoms: Blower runs but only blows cold air; climate control fault message; battery temperature warning in winter.
If an OTA update is interrupted by a Wi-Fi dropout or premature unplugging of the charge cable, the car gets stuck in an update loop and won't start. Only a dealer can reset it.
Symptoms: Display permanently shows 'Software update in progress — vehicle not ready to drive'; won't start; PCM unresponsive.
The 12V lithium battery discharges completely within 10–14 days when not in use, especially in winter. The vehicle then becomes completely unresponsive and doors cannot be opened.
Symptoms: Vehicle unresponsive, doors do not open electrically, app wakes car from sleep mode and drains battery.
The optional 22 kW on-board charger fails due to weak MOSFET chips. Charging process aborts or AC charging only works at reduced power. Repair is very expensive.
Symptoms: AC charging aborts, maximum charge power reduced, charger fault message in PCM.
Most Taycan batteries lose less than 10% capacity by 100,000 km. Vehicles in hot climates with frequent DC fast charging can lose >15%. Warranty threshold is 80% after 3 years.
Symptoms: Reduced maximum displayed range; on-board computer shows fewer available kWh; charging stops earlier than expected.
The PCM6 system freezes on the Porsche logo at startup or crashes during driving. Navigation hangs, Spotify disconnects, Apple CarPlay stops responding. Restart possible by pressing the top-right corner of the display for 30 seconds.
Symptoms: Screen freezes, stays on loading screen, navigation unresponsive, radio favourites disappear after update.
The motorised door handle fails to retract when locking or jams in the extended position. Worsened by ice in winter. Dealers replaced all four handles in documented cases; recurrence is possible.
Symptoms: Door handle stays extended after locking; handle doesn't respond to touch; occasional spontaneous unlatching.
Vehicle Weaknesses 10
In approx. 43,000 Taycans (2020–2021) the drive can cut out spontaneously during driving and traction is lost. Porsche resolved this via a software update.
Inadequate sealing in HV battery modules allows moisture ingress and creates arcing with fire risk. Charging limited to max. 80% until repaired.
The 12V lithium battery fully discharges after standing for more than 10–14 days, especially in winter. Car becomes unresponsive; doors remain electrically locked.
The Webasto H10 heating module fails; cabin stays cold. Windscreen defrosting not possible. Approx. 800 Taycans affected (2020–2021). Replaced with the H11 version; long wait times.
The optional 22 kW on-board charger (OBC) fails due to weak MOSFET chips. AC charging is no longer possible or is severely throttled. Parts were intermittently out of stock.
The PCM6 infotainment system freezes on startup or crashes during driving. Navigation stops responding, radio presets are lost, Spotify and CarPlay cut out.
The optional Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) discs squeal when braking, especially noticeable with windows down. Inner disc surfaces rust and leave stains on wheels.
Some Taycans show uneven body panel gaps, particularly between the bonnet and front wings. Quality variation from suppliers. No safety issue.
At low speed with large steering angles the front axle pops or clicks, particularly in cold conditions or after standing. Ackermann effect of the sports geometry — technically normal, no repair required.
Isolated rattling noises from the dashboard and B-pillar when driving over uneven surfaces. Rear seatbelt rattles against B-pillar trim.
Reports & Tests
251 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2019–2025). Most reported: Electrical (135), Engine (48), Powertrain (43).