Porsche recalls over 173,000 U.S. vehicles over rearview camera failure

Porsche is recalling more than 173,000 vehicles in the United States after a fault that could cause the rearview camera image to fail when drivers shift into reverse, U.S. auto safety regulators said on Wednesday.

The recall affects 173,538 vehicles across several Porsche models and years, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency said the defect increases the risk of a crash because drivers may not see obstacles behind the vehicle.

NHTSA said the affected vehicles do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for rear visibility, which require a functioning rearview camera when reversing.

“This failure could reduce the driver’s ability to see behind the vehicle,” the regulator said, adding that the issue raises crash risk, especially in tight or crowded spaces.

The recall applies to 2019–2025 Cayenne and Cayenne E-Hybrid models, 2020–2025 911 and Taycan vehicles, 2024–2025 Panamera, and 2025 Panamera E-Hybrid models, NHTSA said.

Porsche dealers will update the driver assistance software at no cost to customers. Owners will be notified by mail, and the repair will be carried out free of charge, the agency said.

The German sports car maker did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This is one of the largest single safety recalls issued by Porsche Cars North America in recent years. In 2022, the company recalled 222,858 vehicles over missing headlight adjustment screw covers, a separate issue also flagged by U.S. regulators.

Rearview camera failures have become a recurring safety concern across the auto industry, as more vehicles rely on digital displays and software-based systems for basic driving functions.

Earlier this year, NHTSA issued recalls involving Hyundai Motor America, Ford Motor, Toyota Motor, and Chrysler vehicles over similar problems in which rearview camera images failed to display or froze unexpectedly.

Safety advocates say the growing number of camera-related recalls highlights the risks that come with increasingly complex vehicle software.

U.S. regulations require all new passenger vehicles to be equipped with rearview cameras, a rule introduced to reduce deaths and injuries from backover crashes. Children and older adults are among the most vulnerable victims of such incidents.

While no injuries or deaths linked to the Porsche defect were cited in the recall notice, NHTSA said the failure could occur without warning when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

Vehicle owners can check whether their car is affected by visiting NHTSA’s recall website or contacting their local Porsche dealer.

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