UK Porsche dealers hit pause on select Taycan models over battery scare

A number of used Porsche Taycan electric cars have been temporarily pulled from sale in the United Kingdom as the German automaker prepares a software update for the vehicle's battery system. This is in response to concerns flagged by the UK's Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regarding potential battery issues in some first-generation models.

Porsche GB confirmed that it advised its retail partners to halt sales of a "small, specific batch" of the Taycan. The company expects enhanced battery monitoring software to be ready for these first-generation Taycans towards the end of June. The decision to pause sales is a precautionary measure to ensure these electric cars receive the update before changing hands. The news initially caused some jitters, with several Porsche dealers reportedly under the impression that all Taycan models were to be removed from their listings.

The core of the issue is linked to a recall known as "ARB6," which the DVSA initiated in November. According to the agency, "A short circuit within the battery modules during the vehicle's service life cannot be ruled out under certain circumstances, which could lead to thermal events and later to a fire in the vehicle." The software that's being developed is designed to better detect any anomalies within the battery cells and provide an early warning to the driver.

The DVSA stated: "There is an active safety recall on Porsche Taycans produced between 2019 and 2024 for which the manufacturer is in the final stages of developing a remedy. This involves concerns related to the vehicle's electrical propulsion system." The DVSA manages vehicle recalls in the UK to address potential safety defects that could endanger vehicle occupants or other road users.

The email from Porsche's HQ led to initial confusion among dealerships. One dealer noted there was no timeframe from Porsche and the DVSA, making them believe they had to "remove all Taycans from sale for the foreseeable future." The official Porsche used vehicle website still listed Taycans for sale shortly after the bulletin was issued, but the situation was quickly clarified by Porsche GB that only a limited number of vehicles were affected.

This isn't the first time the Taycan has faced scrutiny. Porsche GB and the DVSA have previously issued 12 safety recalls for various Taycan models, with concerns including brake hoses, welding issues, suspension components, and even the replacement of cell blocks in the high-voltage battery. Across the Atlantic, the Taycan has also seen its share of recalls. In April of this year, Porsche recalled 9,735 Taycan models in the United States because their airbags "may fail to go off in a crash." In October 2024, a more significant recall affected 27,527 Taycans in the US (model years 2020-2024) due to concerns that their "batteries can catch fire."

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