AI Damage2021 Porsche Taycan: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Porsche Taycan filed 71 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 954 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 71
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 954
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 54% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 23% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 7% of all complaints
- 6 Backover prevention 7% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 38 complaints (54% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 517.
- Engine: 16 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 52.
- Powertrain: 12 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 37.
- Forward collision avoidance: 5 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric
- automatic, 2-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 71 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 38 | 0 | 517 |
| Engine | 16 | 0 | 52 |
| Powertrain | 12 | 0 | 18 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 2 | 37 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| Backover prevention | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 39 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 38 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 26 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 161 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The brakes had no air pressure when trying to slow down; Completely Totalled Which then caused a collision into another vehicle; The car had significant damage with inspection by Insurance adjuster and collision team; No warning lights and had been in the Porsche dealership for computer updates prior to incident.
I'm submitting this information because I was in a accident and my airbags didn't deploy, taking speed and location of impact into consideration I think the airbag should've deployed, the vehicle that crossed over from the left 3rd lane to make a right turn was luckily hit on rear passenger door of SUV avoiding center…
The rear camera required by the DOT presents a distorted image making objects appear farther away than they actually are. The problem is a commonly discussed topic as an issue with the camera software on multiple Taycan Forums.
While driving at approximately 90 mph on XXX on the highway, my 2021 Porsche Taycan (VIN [XXX], 51,730 miles) displayed an electrical system error with the turtle (reduced power) icon.
I was making a left hand turn into a shopping center today around 4:55pm and the collision indicator flashed on and jerked my car to a stop in the middle of the road. There were no cars in my immediate area so it should not have been triggered.
I was stopped at an intersection waiting for traffic. There was a small opening in traffic, and I accelerated rapidly from a stop while making a left turn to enter traffic when the "engine/motor" suddenly completely died, and the car quickly came to a stop. The dash displayed a message: "Engine Control Error.
About a month ago while driving at low speed (about 25mph), the car started to shake and the following error was displayed - Engine Control Error - Park Vehicle in a Safe Place. I pulled over, shut the car down, waited 30 seconds and restarted it. The same incident happened a week later.
On April 23, 2024, while decelerating gently at a traffic light, I heard a loud “thump” sound from the rear of my 2021 Porsche Taycan. Immediately, the vehicle lost access to the Reverse (R) and Park (P) gears.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 726 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 35% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Taycan has 39 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 71, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Parts Information for Parts Withdrawal - High-Voltage Heating (PTC)
- Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q3 2026 Software Spec Update Available
- Porsche intranet posting for Campaign WTL2 – Replacing Electric Passenger Compartment Heater
- Technical Information for Campaign WTL2 – Replacing Electric Passenger Compartment Heater
- Symptom-based workshop manual for Noises in B-Pillar Area - Correct Felting of B-Pillar Trim Panel
- Symptom-based workshop manual for Noises from Front Wiper Blade
- Technical Information for Cracking on Roof Module
Procedure for Damage Documentation
- Technical Information for Vehicle Color in Front Display/Control Panel Wrong after Replacing Central…
- Technical Information for Damage to Nano Plug Contacts Due to Utilization of Incorrect Measuring Equipment
- Technical Information for Warranty Extension for Front Door Wiring Harness related to Real Top View (RTV)…
- Special Tools and Equipment Information for Diagnostic Equipment Standards for all USA Porsche Centers
- Special Tools and Equipment Information for alignment machines - Q2 2026 Software Spec Update Available
NHTSA lists 954 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2021 Porsche Taycan 4s All Over Damage Worth Rebuilding? #porsche #taycan4samount per author: 140,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- 2021 Porsche Taycan | Problems you can expect and cost to repair.amount per author: 133,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Porsche Taycan?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 71. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (11%), A/C or heater (10%), loss of power / limp mode (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Porsche Taycan?
NHTSA lists 954 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Porsche Taycan from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.