Due to a possible engine defect, the Porsche 718 is recalled and on stop-sale orders, but the 4.0-liter flat-six variants are the only ones affected.
The models affected by this decision include both the 718 Spyder and Cayman, and the problem in question here is with the connecting rods in the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six. The connecting rods may loosen up or, in some cases, might even crack under load. Porsche claims that in such scenarios, the engine might stall (obviously), while a fire risk can’t be ruled out either. Early signs of this defect include odd engine noises, oil pressure warnings, and irregular vibrations under operation.
An excerpt from the safety report reads, “On the affected vehicles, there is a possibility that connecting rods that were not manufactured according to specification are installed in the engine. A potential defect in the surface of the connecting rod could lead to cracks, creating a loss of preload on the connecting rod screw connection. A loose connection while driving may cause engine damage, a stall, or an oil leak, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.”
The good news, in this case, is that the total number of affected models stands at just 190, and only 20 of these have been delivered to customers. All these models were manufactured between January 26 and March 4, 2021. Porsche claims that there haven’t been any malfunction cases yet, and customers have been notified about the issue already, reports say.
The 4.0-liter flat-6 engine is offered in Cayman GT4, Cayman GTS 4.0, Boxster GTS 4.0, and 718 Spyder. Porsche aims to resolve the issue around recalled 718 models as soon as possible. If changing the connecting rods doesn’t work, a change of engine would be the only option on the table. This means that the yet-to-be-delivered models might face a six-month delay.
