Occupant Classification May Turn Off Air Bag In Porsche Taycan

Porsche will be asking owners of certain 2022-2023 Taycan vehicles to return to their dealerships because of an occupant classification system error that may deactivate the front passenger airbag. The problem was discovered in March 2024 through Porsche's product safety process, and after a thorough analysis, the company has determined that the root cause is related to errors in the crimping process of the seat cushion heating mat.

The issue affects the front passenger airbag, which may not deploy in the event of a crash if the system is deactivated. This increases the risk of injury to the occupant seated in the front passenger seat. However, vehicle occupants will be alerted to a malfunction by the illumination of the airbag warning light, an error message displayed in the instrument cluster, and the status of the Passenger Airbag OFF indicator light.

Porsche's investigation into the problem was extensive, involving crimp analyses, field case studies, and coordination with the brand group. The company worked to replicate the malfunction, but initial attempts were unsuccessful due to the limited number of field cases and the need to wait for a vehicle with the specific active fault to be identified. Once a vehicle with the fault was found, a thorough analysis was conducted, which revealed that the problem was intermittent and could be resolved by handling or using the seat.

The recall affects certain 2022-2023 Porsche Taycan vehicles, and dealers will correct the problem by replacing the front passenger seat cushion. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 6, 2025. Porsche's number for this recall is ASA2, and the NHTSA campaign number is 25V-221.

In the meantime, owners of affected vehicles are advised to take their vehicle to a dealership as soon as possible if they notice any warning lights or error messages related to the airbag system. It is essential to address the issue promptly to ensure the safety of all occupants.