Porsche Macan Electric’s headlights are too bright for the U.S.

Porsche is recalling 2,941 Macan Electric models in the U.S. to reprogram headlights

Headlights are one of the most important safety features on any vehicle, but when they’re too bright, they can pose just as much of a risk as being too dark. Newly delivered 2024 and 2025 Porsche Macan Electric models in the United States now need repair because their headlights are too bright for safety standards and may increase the risk of a crash.

Modern headlights have come a long way, offering better performance than their predecessors, but sometimes progress goes beyond the mark. Porsche has discovered that the high beam programming on affected Macan Electric models complies with Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) standards rather than the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) required by the United States.

As a result, when the high-beam headlights are activated, they exceed the maximum brightness level allowed in the United States—a classic case of technology failing to dampen its enthusiasm.

READ: Porsche to sell ICE Macan in US ‘for foreseeable future’

This recall covers a total of 2,941 Macan Electric SUVs produced between March 15 and November 4, 2024. Porsche is concerned that too bright a beam could dazzle oncoming drivers, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a collision. While the irony of “too much light” causing trouble isn’t lost on us, Porsche wants to address this safety oversight soon.

To address this issue, Porsche will reprogram the headlight control unit software of all affected vehicles free of charge. Customers will be notified by letter and the process will begin no later than January 24, 2025.

All Macan Electric models sold in the United States come standard with a 100 kWh battery pack and 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 delivers 630 hp and 833 lb-ft (1,128 Nm) of torque, taking it to 60 mph. (96 km/h) 3.1 seconds. That makes it even faster than the Porsche 911 GT3 that rolled off the assembly line. In June, a 335-horsepower rear-wheel-drive version was added to the Macan Electric range, as well as a new 509-horsepower 4S.

Interestingly, Porsche also plans to continue selling the Macan in ICE form in the United States for the foreseeable future. Porsche has been planning to sell the upcoming ICE version alongside the Macan Electric for at least a few years, but it could last longer if demand for older models is strong enough.