Porsche recalls over 173,000 cars due to rearview camera

Porsche software bug: Over 173,000 vehicles recalled for rearview camera problems

In an era where cars are becoming increasingly software-dependent, even luxury giants like Porsche are not immune to technical glitches. Recently, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) imposed a massive service recall on the German manufacturer, affecting more than 173,000 vehicles globally, due to a malfunction in the reversing video system.

What is the real problem?

The fault is not mechanical, but rather a software issue with the assistance system. According to the official report, the reversing camera image may not appear on the central display when the driver engages reverse gear or may exhibit interference (signal noise) that blocks the video stream.

This issue violates federal safety standards for rear visibility because the absence of the image significantly increases the risk of accidents, especially in residential areas or crowded parking lots.
Affected models (2019–2025):

The recall covers a wide range of the brand's current portfolio:

1.     Cayenne and Cayenne E-Hybrid: models manufactured between 2019 and 2025.
2.     Porsche 911: examples produced between 2020 and 2025.
3.     Taycan (electric): models from 2020–2025.
4.     Panamera and Panamera E-Hybrid: new generation models (2024–2025).

Impact in Romania: How many cars could be affected?

Although the official announcement was centralized by NHTSA for the American market, Porsche recall campaigns are usually global in nature when targeting software bugs present on standard control units.

In Romania, Porsche enjoys constant popularity in the premium segment. Considering the sales figures of recent years (where the Cayenne and Taycan were among the favorites of the Romanian public), we can estimate the local impact:

•     Numerical estimate: Taking into account the annual deliveries in Romania for the mentioned models, it is estimated that between 1,200 and 1,800 vehicles could be targeted by this local update campaign.
•     Remediation procedure: Owners in Romania will be contacted by the official importer or can check the status of the car themselves by entering the chassis number (VIN) on the dedicated Porsche platform.
•     Costs: As with any safety recall, the intervention is completely free. It consists of a simple software update that usually takes less than an hour.

Note to owners: If you own one of the models listed and notice that the screen remains black or "freezes" occasionally in reverse, it is recommended that you contact your nearest Porsche center for an appointment, even before you receive the official letter.