Failed Porsche Software Update Ruined Cars, Class Action Lawsuit Claims

Thousands of Porsches’ “infotainment” systems have been permanently damaged by failed software update, a class action lawsuit alleges. 

Kent Bowen, the plaintiff, claims that an unauthorized update from Porsche or Sirius, a satellite radio provider, resulted in a number of issues for his car’s Porsche Communication Management system (PCM), according to a class action lawsuit that was filed on Feb. 1. The PCM interactive system allows Porsche drivers to adjust the radio and sound, see real-time traffic displays, connect to cell phones and get GPS navigation.

The update caused the PCM to malfunction, resulting in it rebooting frequently and damaging the PCM hard drive. The update also allegedly drained the vehicle’s battery, “depriving the owner of the ability to enjoy his vehicle, causing an irritating and potentially dangerous ‘static’ noise” and creating other significant problems, the complaint alleges. 

All Porsche vehicles with a satellite radio antenna and PCM system 3.0 or 3.1 were affected by the glitch, including, but not limited to, the Panamera, Cayenne, 911 Macan, Cayman, and Boxster for model years 2010 through the present.

Bowen claims that the update caused irreparable damage to his vehicle’s PCM hard drives, which he had to pay $3,270.78 to a Porsche dealer to replace completely, according to the complaint. In addition, Bowen had to devote 5-10 hours of his own personal time to attend to the repair of his vehicle, time that he would otherwise have spent working. 

Porsche Should Have Known About the Software Defect, Lawsuit Alleges

The lawsuit contends that if Porsche had sufficiently tested the update prior to implementation, the malfunction would have been detected before it had the ability to cause damage to thousands of Porsche vehicles. 

In 2018, a Sirius-related software update caused damage to Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram vehicles, data and public reporting that Porsche had access to, the complaint states. In addition, immediately after the failed update Porsche owners began publicly complaining about the issue on numerous online forums accessible to Porsche. Many of these complaints questioned if Porsche had been hacked, as their PCM systems were being accessed without their permission, while others outright demanded Porsche to stop accessing the PCM systems.

By accessing drivers’ PCMs without authorization, causing damage to the vehicles and failing to inform drivers of the potential risk of harm, the complaint alleges that Porsche violated Georgia laws prohibiting damage of personal property, and the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. 

Porsche acknowledged the malfunction through internal correspondence with its dealers, however, the manufacturer has not compensated customers for repairs, or provided any form of a complete solution, the lawsuit alleges. 

Bowen seeks monetary damages, with the complaint stating that damages from the malfunction exceed $5 million. Members of the proposed national class should also be entitled to thousands of dollars in compensation per person. 

A damaging software update is just the latest issue Porsche has been facing recently. Vehicle owners have reported a range of problems with their vehicles, which has led to a number of class actions being filed.

In January 2021, a class action lawsuit was filed over Porsche emissions with claims the company manipulated and deceived consumers about the performance of its cars.

In February 2020, a class action lawsuit alleged that the engine cooling systems in some Porsche vehicles are defective, leading to expensive repairs. Allegedly, Porsche refused to remedy the problem, and they were both forced to pay out-of-pocket to repair the issue.

Are you the owner of a Porsche and have experienced issues with the “infotainment” system following a software update? Let us know in the comment section below.

Bowen is represented by Michael A. Caplan and T. Brandon Waddell of Caplan Cobb LLP, Matthew R. Wilson and Michael J. Boyle Jr. of Meyer Wilson Co, LPA, and David Stein and Alexander Bukac of Gibbs Law Group LLP.

Counsel information for Porsche was not immediately available.

The Porsche Failed Software Lawsuit is Kent Bowen et al. v. Porsche Cars N.A., Inc., Case No. 1:21-cv-00471, before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.

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