Porsche and Audi Safety Recall: Over 45,000 Cars and SUVs
Porsche and Audi are both on the hot seat over safety issues that have warranted a recall. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has forced both manufacturer’s hands to recall over 45,000 cars and SUVs over mid- and rear-seat belts. It is even taking in some Bentley Bentayga and Volkswagen ID.4 models.
The child restraints cause safety issues in both Porsche and Audi vehicles
Automatic locking seat belt retractors are deactivating prematurely. When this happens, the child restraint systems don’t work properly according to the NHTSA. Of the over 45,000 vehicles recalled only one percent of the vehicles recalled are thought to have malfunctioning seat belts.
Malfunctioning retractors are estimated to have been built between late October 2020 to late January 2021. There are 26 Audi models being recalled, mostly from 2021. Seven Porsche models are also being recalled, including the 911 and Taycan.
These Porsche and Audi recalls come with no reported injuries from the malfunctioning seat belts
The good news is that so far there have not been any injuries reported from the malfunctioning belt retractors. These seat belt retractors were outsourced to a Swedish manufacturer. Many manufacturers outsource component manufacturing.
The NHTSA has ordered Porsche to recall vehicles three times just in 2021. Porsche models were recalled for loose suspension components in March. There were incidents of suspension components loosening and potentially separating from the car.
Potential airbag malfunctioning because seats in 911 models were not properly installed was behind the recall. It could have increased the possibility of injury. And then this month the seat belt retractor malfunctions.
There have been a lot of Porsche recalls since 2020
Going back just one year to 2020 there were four Porsche recalls ranging from rear-end issues to hazard lights not functioning when activated. All of this raises the question: are Porsche buyers really getting a superior vehicle? With seven recalls within a year is this the mark of quality?
We can’t answer this. And we understand that cars are far more complex than they have ever been. So development, as precise as it can be, sometimes misses issues. Be it mechanical, electronic, or something else, it is hard to catch every glitch.
