- Porsche models in Russia have suddenly stopped working nationwide.
- Owners report engines dying and alarms failing without explanation.
- Issue possibly linked to Porsche’s VTS satellite tracking security unit.
On Monday, December 1, hundreds of Porsche owners across Russia awoke to discover that their prized German cars had effectively turned into motionless bricks on wheels. Reports now suggest that Porsche’s own Vehicle Tracking System, or VTS, may be at the center of the mystery.
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Whether the culprit is a software update gone wrong or a deliberate move from a third party, the outcome is the same. From Moscow to Krasnodar, drivers are finding themselves stranded with cars that refuse to respond.
The issue impacts Porsche models dating back to 2013, all of which have a factory Vehicle Tracking System. If the VTS loses satellite signal, it automatically activates the engine immobilizer and stops the car from working.
Rolf Group service director Yulia Trushkova told the Daily Mail that “all models and all engine types” are affected, with shops fielding waves of identical complaints.
Silence and Speculation
Inside the country, speculation is already swirling. The Moscow Times cites one dealer representative who said, “It’s possible this was done deliberately.” Notably, they also admit that there is no direct evidence to support that theory at the moment.
Porsche’s Russian arm has declined to comment, and the automaker’s global headquarters hasn’t issued a statement about the situation either.
For now, mechanics are left to diagnose cars that appear perfectly healthy but refuse to fire up. Owners indicate that the failures are sudden and unpredictable. A St. Petersburg driver said his Macan fired moments after he picked up a to-go order.
Others say their cars died moments after starting up. Some have gone as far as to rip out connectors for the alarm system in an attempt to disable it altogether. Some report success in getting their car to start after removing the battery for at least ten hours.
Porsche halted new deliveries to Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, but the brand’s cars continue to circulate widely among wealthy buyers.
Now those owners are crowding service centers and tow yards, convinced that their vehicles have fallen victim to a satellite blackout or something more intentional. For now, no fix is guaranteed, and the number of stranded Porsches continues to climb across the country.
