What 5 owners told NHTSA about the 2025 Porsche E3.2 Cayenne

My 2025 Porsche Cayenne S was involved in a low-speed crash and experienced multiple safety failures related to the Driver Assistance Control Unit, including phantom braking and camera failure. This crash, I believe, is a direct result of the safety defect identified in Recall ASB2 (NHTSA 25V896), which causes the Driver Assistance Control Unit to fail to process image and sensor data correctly. My vehicle has exhibited a dangerous pattern of electronic and sensor instability that aligns perfectly with the technical failures described in the recall: The Collision: While reversing in a parking garage on November 25, 2025, I struck a wall because the rearview camera and parking sensors failed to provide any notification or visual feed. I now understand this was caused by the "transient signal noise" cited in the recall, which prevents the system from detecting obstacles in specific lighting environments. Phantom Braking: On two separate occasions, the vehicle abruptly "slammed" on the brakes for no apparent reason, nearly causing high-speed rear-end collisions. When reported to The Collection Porsche Service on January 23, 2026, the Service Manager admitted the system is hypersensitive to shadows. This confirms the control unit is failing to correctly interpret image data—the exact root cause of the current recall. Total Electrical Failure: On December 2, 2025, the vehicle suffered a defective alternator, causing a total shutdown in a live intersection. This resulted in a seven-week repair (completed Jan 23, 2026). Unstable voltage from a failing alternator is a primary source of the "signal noise" that causes the driver assistance systems to malfunction. I initially believed the bumper contact was a personal error. However, given the documented failure of the alternator and the subsequent recall regarding camera/sensor data processing, it is clear that the vehicle’s safety systems were compromised at the time of the incident. Porsche NA has been notified.

NHTSA ODI 11729786

The car was driven from Cheshire, CT to Old Tappan, NJ about 90 miles, just under two hours drive time. Combination of highway and back roads. The car was in drive in comfort mode proceeding slowly (approx 20 mph) down a street within a condo complex. As I approached the driveway I lightly braked, turned into the driveway then lightly pressed the accelerator to bring the car up the driveway apron onto the single car length driveway. At that point the car accelerated to what felt like max power. The car accelerated uncontrollably causing the car to advance in a right turn through the closed garage door striking a garaged vehicle in the right rear quarter and the right wall of the garage. Fortunately no one was hurt but this could have resulted on severe injury or death. No pre warning lights just a slight burning smell just before. This unrequested acceleration occurred twice before the crash incident leaving a traffic light from stop. Porsche has analyzed the car and find no fault. The insurance company has sent an adjuster. Damage estimated at $73,000.00.

NHTSA ODI 11715977