- Porsche recalls Macan Electric models over headlight brightness that violates US standards.
- The recall affects nearly 3,000 Macan Electric SUVs built between March and November 2024.
- The carmaker will update headlight software free of charge to comply with federal safety regulations.
Headlights are one of the most crucial safety features on any vehicle, but when they’re too bright, they can pose just as much risk as being too dim. Newly delivered 2024 and 2025 Porsche Macan Electric models in the US now require repairs because their overly bright headlights exceed safety standards, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
Modern headlights have come a long way, offering better performance than their predecessors, but sometimes progress overshoots the mark. Porsche discovered that the high beams on affected Macan Electric models were programmed to European Economic Commission (ECE) standards rather than the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) required in the US.
As a result, when the high beams are activated, they exceed the maximum brightness levels allowed stateside—a classic case of technology failing to dim its enthusiasm.
Read: Porsche To Sell ICE Macan In The US “For The Foreseeable Future”
A total of 2,941 Macan Electric SUVs, built between March 15 and November 4, 2024, are part of this recall. Porsche is concerned that the overly bright beams could dazzle oncoming drivers, reducing visibility and increasing crash risks. While the irony of “too much light” causing trouble isn’t lost on us, this is a safety oversight that Porsche aims to fix promptly.
To remedy the issue, Porsche will reprogram the headlight control unit software on all affected vehicles at no cost to owners. Letters will be sent out to notify customers, with the process beginning no later than January 24, 2025.
All Macan Electric models sold in the US come standard with a 100 kWh battery pack and an 800-volt electric architecture. The entry-level all-wheel drive Macan 4 delivers 402 hp and 479 lb-ft (648 Nm) while the Macan Turbo ups the ante with 630 hp and 833 lb-ft (1,128 Nm) of torque, allowing it to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.1 seconds. This makes it even quicker than a Porsche 911 GT3 off the line. In June, a rear-wheel drive version with 335 hp was added to the Macan Electric family, as was a new 4S with 509 hp.
Interestingly, Porsche also plans to continue selling the Macan in ICE form in the US for the foreseeable future. Porsche had always planned to sell the outgoing ICE version alongside the Macan Electric for at least a couple of years but if demand for the older model is strong enough, it could keep on kicking for longer.
