Half a million Volkswagen and Porsche cars are being recalled over a critical software error.
A massive safety recall involving over half a million vehicles has hit the Volkswagen Group, affecting both the Volkswagen mass-market brand and its luxury subsidiary, Porsche.
The recall, announced by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) earlier this week, is due to a critical software error that causes the rearview camera to fail, increasing the risk of accidents.
With popular models like the Porsche Cayenne, Porsche 911, and various VW SUVs involved, Malaysian owners are rightfully asking: Does this affect us?
The Core Issue: A “Blacked Out” Reverse Camera
The recall was triggered by a software glitch that prevents the rearview camera image from displaying when the driver engages reverse gear. In some cases, the screen may appear blank, distorted, or flickering.
This failure violates federal safety standards for rear visibility, prompting the recall of:
- 356,649 Volkswagen vehicles (including Audi models).
- 173,538 Porsche vehicles.
Which Models Are Affected?
The NHTSA filing covers a wide range of model years from 2019 to 2026. While the specific list for Volkswagen is extensive, the Porsche list is particularly relevant to wealthy Malaysian buyers who favour these high-spec imports.
Porsche Models Affected:
- Cayenne & Cayenne E-Hybrid (2019–2025)
- 911 (2020–2025)
- Taycan (2020–2025), not the first time this model received a software recall
- Panamera & Panamera E-Hybrid (2024–2025)
Volkswagen/Audi Models Affected:
The recall affects various VW models and luxury Audi vehicles, including:
- Audi Q7, Q8, and RS Q8 SUVs
- Audi A6, A7, and A8 sedans
- Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT
- Volkswagen Atlas and Cross Sport (US-specific models)
Are Malaysian Owners Affected?
As of January 7, 2026, neither Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) nor Sime Darby Auto Performance (Porsche Malaysia) has issued an official local recall notice regarding this specific rearview camera software error.
However, Malaysian owners should remain alert for the following reasons:
- Global Software Architecture: Modern vehicles often share the same software platforms globally. A software bug affecting a Porsche Taycan in the US could theoretically affect a similar unit sold in Kuala Lumpur, provided they run the same firmware version.
- Grey Market Imports: Many Porsches and high-end Audis on Malaysian roads are “recond” (grey import) units brought in from the UK or Japan. These vehicles often fall outside the direct jurisdiction of the official local distributor but may still carry the faulty software.
What Should You Do?
If you own one of the models listed above (especially a 2019-2025 Porsche), here is your checklist:
- Official Imports: If you bought your car from Porsche Malaysia or VPCM, wait for an official notification. If the global recall extends to our region, they will contact owners directly for a free software update.
- Grey Imports: If you own a recond vehicle, you can proactively check your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the manufacturer’s global recall database or contact a specialized workshop to see if a software patch is available.
- Check Locally: You can periodically check the official Volkswagen Malaysia or Porsche Malaysia websites, which often have a “Recall Lookup” tool where you can key in your VIN to check for outstanding campaigns.
While the recall is currently US-centric, the nature of the defect—a software glitch—means it is a fix that can likely be resolved quickly once the update is available globally.
