Porsche Cars North America is recalling various models and model years of its Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan hybrid models because the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable can overheat causing the risk of fires. More than 41,000 Porsches are involved. According to documents just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Porsche is blaming the home wiring of affected customers for the safety defect. This recall also applies to more than 93,000 Volkswagen Group Audi vehicles.*
“In certain instances, the charging cables can become hot during charging when plugged into certain types of lower quality electrical receptacles due to elevated electrical resistance at the receptacle interface. Increased resistance in the charging cable can increase the risk of overheating and thermal damage to the electrical receptacle and the surrounding area. If left undetected, the local thermal damage could potentially spread, resulting in a fire.
“Outdated dwelling electrical wiring coupled with the potential use of lower quality electrical receptacles can eventually cause permanent damage to the charging cable, further increasing electrical resistance in the cable. A charging cable that is experiencing increased electrical resistance may feel hot when being unplugged by the user after charging,” PCNA said in the required NHTSA filing.
Owners should not use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable. Instead they should only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge as required by US safety regulations.
So-called interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed 9 February 2024. A second notice will be sent once parts become available, anticipated mid-2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche’s number for this recall is APB6. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 23V841.
Chronology
- In Dec. 2020 Porsche became aware of reports that the charging cables for certain Taycan vehicles would become hot during vehicle charging. Porsche investigated this issue and determined that the charging cable worked properly when new, but when used in connection with certain non-recommended lower quality electrical outlets, the cable could become damaged.
- In May 2022, Porsche notified owners and implemented a service campaign (WMP2) with a software modification to reduce the default charging capacity of the cables by 50% to address this issue. Further information, recommendations, and cautions were provided regarding the appropriate electrical sockets to use.
- In June 2023, Porsche became aware of further instances of overheating in Taycan charging cables, even with the power reduction. Porsche investigated this issue and determined that, even though the NEMA plug in the charging cable meets UL household use criteria, if it is used with a lower quality electrical receptacle, it can become permanently damaged, such that even when used with a recommended outlet, there could be elevated electrical resistance. More specifically, the connector crimps in the cable could be damaged due to overheating, leading to further increased electrical resistance and elevated temperatures. Porsche further determined that a new plug with an incorporated temperature sensor would eliminate this issue.
- In late 2023, upon further review of the issue and the latest field data, Porsche identified 110 incidents of mobile charger malfunctions attributable to the subject issue.
- On 6 December 2023, Porsche determined that it would supersede the WMP2 Service Campaign and conduct a safety recall to replace the subject mobile chargers. Porsche will replace the existing NEMA charging cable with a new charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor.
- The owner’s letter will advise that Porsche offers a reimbursement for pre-notification remedies in accordance with 49 CFR 573.13 The remedy component includes a temperature sensor to detect potential overheating due to excess electrical resistance
- The charging plug with sensors was incorporated into production in Calendar Week 48 of 2023.
* Volkswagen Group of America (Audi) is recalling 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat. Audi’s numbers for these recalls are 93U6 and 93U8. NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V842
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Porsche Fires – Cayenne, Panamera, Taycan Charging Cables
Porsche Cars North America is recalling various models and model years of its Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan hybrid models because the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable can overheat causing the risk of fires. More than 41,000 Porsches are involved. According to documents just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Porsche is blaming the home wiring of affected customers for the safety defect. This recall also applies to more than 93,000 Volkswagen Group Audi vehicles.*
“In certain instances, the charging cables can become hot during charging when plugged into certain types of lower quality electrical receptacles due to elevated electrical resistance at the receptacle interface. Increased resistance in the charging cable can increase the risk of overheating and thermal damage to the electrical receptacle and the surrounding area. If left undetected, the local thermal damage could potentially spread, resulting in a fire.
“Outdated dwelling electrical wiring coupled with the potential use of lower quality electrical receptacles can eventually cause permanent damage to the charging cable, further increasing electrical resistance in the cable. A charging cable that is experiencing increased electrical resistance may feel hot when being unplugged by the user after charging,” PCNA said in the required NHTSA filing.
Owners should not use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable. Instead they should only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge as required by US safety regulations.
So-called interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed 9 February 2024. A second notice will be sent once parts become available, anticipated mid-2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche’s number for this recall is APB6. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 23V841.
Chronology
* Volkswagen Group of America (Audi) is recalling 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat. Audi’s numbers for these recalls are 93U6 and 93U8. NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V842
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.