2023 Porsche Panamera

The contact owns a 2023 Porsche Panamera. The contact stated that while stopped at a red traffic light, the vehicle independently shifted from drive(D) to neutral(N), and the instrument panel failed to display critical safety information. The messages "Speed Limit Display Limited”, “No Navigation Data Available", "Left Taillight Fault - Check Taillight", and "Right Taillight Error”, and “Service Necessary" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure was not duplicated. The CPU was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

A message appeared on the dashboard indicating a "Critical Electrical Failure" and "Park Safely" when I turned the key to start the car. This car is a plug-in e-hybrid (my 3rd of this model) and I always assumed that in case of a major failure, I could either use the engine or the electric propulsion system. This was not the case. Although the instruments had power the transmission could not be moved from park and the steering was inoperative. The vehicle was totally immobilized. And the advice to "Park Safely" is ridiculous because there was no way to move the vehicle. Fortunately I was parked when this occurred. But if I was at a traffic light or this happened while I was underway, the safety implications are frightening. The vehicle would have been an immovable obstacle on the roadway. Plus there is not any kind of emergency "neutral" release so the vehicle could at least be pushed. The flatbed tow truck sent by Porsche Connect had to drag the vehicle on to its bed. And if I had not been in a nose in space as I was, even towing would have been nearly impossible.