Porsche and Audi Recall Almost 6,700 EVs for Insufficient Battery Sealant

Introduction

Large automakers often share platforms and engineering designs across their various brands to save costs. However, this practice can lead to problems affecting one model impacting related vehicles. Porsche and Audi recently issued a recall that highlights this issue, as the affected vehicles share most of their underlying engineering and could have batteries with insufficient sealant.

The Recall

Almost 6,700 cars from the 2023 model year are included in the recall. The affected variants include the Taycan, Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, Taycan Turbo S, Audi e-tron GT, and RS e-tron GT. The problem is related to a new sealant material that Porsche introduced in its manufacturing process in late 2022. While the sealant was intended to reinforce the battery packs, the automaker started receiving reports of failures in March. By April, the first reports from the United States began to emerge.

Inspection and Replacement

As with all recalls, owners can take their vehicles to a Porsche or Audi dealer for an inspection. If necessary, the battery pack will be replaced free of charge. While the exact cost of a battery replacement is unknown, repairs for vehicles with Porsche or Audi badges tend to be expensive. Some online sources have claimed that replacements could cost upwards of $45,000.

Manufacturing Timeline

The affected cars were all manufactured within a relatively short period between late 2022 and May 2023. Porsche changed its sealant technique in May 2023 to prevent further issues. Fortunately, there have been no reports of fires or incidents related to the problem.

[Image: Porsche]

Conclusion

Porsche and Audi’s recent recall of almost 6,700 electric vehicles highlights the potential consequences of sharing platforms and engineering designs across different brands. The recall was issued due to insufficient battery sealant, which could lead to failures in the affected vehicles. Owners are advised to take their cars to a Porsche or Audi dealer for inspection and potential battery pack replacement, free of charge. While the exact cost of a replacement is unknown, it is expected to be expensive given the reputation of these luxury brands. The affected vehicles were manufactured between late 2022 and May 2023, and Porsche has since implemented changes to prevent similar issues in future production. Thankfully, there have been no reports of any incidents or fires related to the problem.

By addressing this issue promptly and offering free repairs, Porsche and Audi demonstrate their commitment to customer safety and satisfaction. As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, automakers must prioritize quality control and ensure that potential issues are identified and resolved promptly. Recalls like this serve as a reminder that even prestigious brands can face manufacturing challenges, but it is how they handle these challenges that truly matters.

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