The rotary volume control knob on the center console of my 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupe detached during normal, routine interior cleaning while the vehicle was stationary. The knob lifted off the control shaft with minimal contact from a standard handheld vacuum nozzle. This indicates that the retention mechanism of the control knob is insufficient and may represent a manufacturing or design defect. A loose or detachable interior control is a safety concern because it distracts the driver from the road when attempting to adjust audio, alerts, or climate menu functions. The control knob is part of an interface that the driver must use while driving, and if it unexpectedly detaches or becomes loose, it can impair the ability to safely manage vehicle settings. The issue was reported to the Porsche dealership and Porsche Cars North America. Both declined warranty coverage and classified the problem as “customer damage,” despite the failure occurring under normal usage conditions and without misuse. A properly secured interior control knob should not detach during light interior cleaning, and this may indicate a broader quality-control issue affecting similar vehicles. There were no warning lights prior to the failure. The problem is reproducible because the knob no longer attaches securely to the shaft. I am reporting this to NHTSA because an interior control that detaches under normal use may distract drivers, impair safe operation of infotainment and climate systems, and may indicate a defect in the design or construction of the control assembly.
NHTSA ODI 11702293