I would have thought that even if the problem wasn’t reproducible at that moment, the car would have stored DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) in the ECU that can be read using Porsche’s tools. That’s been a thing for decades. It feels like the service department is making zero effort to get to the bottom of the issue.

 

Yes the fact that there are no codes or stored faults makes zero sense. Im trying to learn how this happens. I bought 4 cars from this dealer in the last 12 months, and this is my 8th Porsche. Never once has something like this happened to me, nor did any computer problems not leave fault codes in the car. Bizarre. If it does it again, I just will take it up with sales mgr and PCNA. Gaining consensus on Rennlist as to others with this vehicle and their experiences with various issues is kinda the point here……

 

In other computerized vehicles, some power problems or radio reboots will leave no trace (cell card issues are notorious for this). Otherwise there could be DTC(s) set that the scan tools are not picking up. Thats a scan tool software issue. There are more of those than the manufactures like to admit.

 

Time to set up a camera in the Macan EV pointed at you and the dash. Then provide the right people at the dealership / PCNA with video evidence of it dying putting you at risk on the road. The old can't reproduce it is crap, at least reset to default software load and reload patches to the software. Try something, not act like no problem found (so it must be in your head).

 

I would call the NHTSA.

 

DOH.

I just realized my dashcam does exactly this………hopefully I have the footage, and will remember it when it occurs again.

Dealer still has car, cannot figure out what caused it, and they will keep it until they do.

I misunderstood my SA, thinking that they said they would return mine without understanding what happened……..

 

A work colleague and friend was driving at night- 9PM- on a 5-lane major interstate when his 2025 Macan 4 abruptly stopped. The car was 6 months old. He was stranded in the #2 lane with cars whizzing by at night.

Similar to you. He couldn't start it, nor could he activate hazard lights. Called 911, and with the help of other drivers that night he made his way to the shoulder crossing lane by lane on foot. Highway Patrol and tow truck showed up- but- no 12v system and the tow operator couldn't get it into Neutral. So, on the freeway, the operator "drug" the car on his flatbed and drove it to the dealer. They hooked up 12v and were able to get it into N to roll it off.

The dealer called a couple of weeks later saying "still can't find out why it did this, but the tow truck did $5k in damage by dragging the car / attaching to front steering/suspension pieces. He vehemently objected to having to cover that given circumstances, and PCNA agreed to pay it. But after about 2 more weeks, they said they still couldn't figure out what happened but come get your car. He refused. He returned their loaner, but rented a car and requested a buy back from PCNA. The car stayed at the dealership. Within a few weeks, PCNA agreed. It was a lease through Porsche financial.

Now in his case their was a police report and an obvious safety condition.

A couple of things here - I expect if he showed the tow operator the eye bolt for towing it may have prevented the front end damage. And, I read in the manual how you can connect 12 v via an access panel in the front bumper and under the hood.

Now in our case, we have 2 2025 Macan 4S's, with no issues like this on either.

I don't know if this will help or not- but- for what it's worth.

 

The thing is, you can't get the tow eye out unless you can open the trunk/boot, which requires 12V power. So you have to solve that problem first. And then you would also be able to put the car in neutral.

 

Actually that is way scarier…….I leased mine as well. Too much tech to own one of these just yet. Frankly I'm sort of surprised how many false warnings this car has displayed and pretty much started day one. Again, a lease…….

 

I hadn't thought of that- not being able to open the boot. But my friend was in the car in the front seat. He could have opened a rear passenger door, gotten in, put down the rear seat backs. Now he's in the boot. Could he have gotten to the eye bolt?....

But @ALEV8 is right- it would be flakey software that is the most serious thing wrong with this car. That can (hopefully will) be fixed or improved. But if not, bad software can kill a car. Just ask anyone that worked at Fisker.

 

And, to "beat a dead horse", here is how my friend could have made things better, and perhaps what to do if any of us get in a similar situation.

Method 1

Call 1-800-PORSCHE (available 24/7) from your moblie phone and request emergency roadside assistance. I HOPE whoever shows up will know what to do.
Persuade the police / Highway Patrol to wait for the Porsche tow truck to get to the car, because it's special and this is important to prevent damage.. Other drivers on the highway will just have to wait.

Method 2

1. Carry warning triangles or flares in the FRONT TRUNK as well as flashlight.

2. Search the manual for "emergency hood release" to find out how to open the front truck using an external 12 v battery

3. open FRUNK, put out warning triangles, search manual for "perform emergency starting" to gain access to 12v terminals in FRUNK. Charge using an external battery (tow truck) for 5 min. 12V should be restored.

4. now open boot- get tow eye bolt, install, car in neutral, etc.

no problemo (-: ? (/kidding)

 

I suspect Porsche will redesign their future EVs to have an easier way to access the frunk and trunk/boot. The idea of requiring a working 12V circuit is ridiculous from a convenience and safety perspective. China is about to ban retracting door handles because they won't work without electric power, which prevents rescuers from getting to persons trapped in a car. Hopefully we'll see mechanical releases for the frunk and trunk/boot.

 

Not in the same league as the issues mentioned here, but I just got this error message on my Macan 4 when trying to drive the car from stationary. And it wouldn’t budge. I turned it off and on, and it was fine right away. But it is still quite concerning. Over the past few months of owning the car, there are so many error messages that have come and gone away quickly, but this one was scary.

 

My suggesting after dealing with a 2024 Macan 4 EV different problem that didn’t show up on dealer diagnostics or show fault codes and spend 3+’mos dealing with the issue and dealers saying they can’t do anything cause of the car was fine and reporting as so nothing was to fix. Took recording each episode on my IPhone and submitting to both dealership management and Porsche NA as a claim to get any traction so suggest that route too!

 

Any of you in CA want a buy-back/lemon lawyer referral… i have one for you. PM me.

My taycan is gone. The macan ev has been ok 1 year 15k miles now… no weirdness. if it ever shut down like that on my wife it would be gone the next day.