Hundreds of Porsche cars in Russia suddenly broke down due to an issue with their satellite-based security system. Owners reported various malfunctions, from engines that won’t start, to immediate shutdowns after starting, or even the inability to enter their vehicles.
The incident targets Porsche models manufactured after 2013, equipped with the anti-theft Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), which immobilizes the engine if the connection with the satellite is lost. According to the manufacturer’s website, “the Porsche Vehicle Tracking system is designed to operate discreetly, without requiring daily activation or deactivation.”
The representative of the largest car dealer group in Russia, Rolf, suggested that the problem could be the result of deliberate sabotage, without providing evidence. “It is possible that this was done deliberately,” the Rolf spokesperson told RBC, according to Independent.
Lack of official support
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Porsche suspended commercial operations in the country, so owners in Russia do not benefit from official support. However, some car dealers offer manual solutions for unlocking the vehicles.
Yulia Trushkova, Rolf’s service director, explained to RBC: “Currently, there is no connection for all models and types of internal combustion engines. Any vehicle can be blocked. Currently, the blocking can be bypassed by resetting the factory alarm unit and disassembling it. We continue to investigate the issue and the mechanics’ options for unlocking the vehicles.”
There are no signs that this issue would affect other countries, being reported only in Russia. Some services have begun to offer a temporary remedy, which involves manually resetting the affected alarm units.