Recall 19V179 covers 417 2018 Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman vehicles with loose air bag sensors. Free repair at any franchised Porsche dealer.
Porsche is recalling 417 2018 911, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman vehicles because the side air bag impact sensors were not properly tightened. In a crash, that sensor problem can prevent air bag deployment, which raises injury risk; Porsche dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The side air bag impact sensors on the 2018 Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman are small crash sensors mounted to the body structure. In a side impact, they help detect the hit and send information to the airbag control unit so the side air bag system can respond at the right time. The sensor has to stay firmly attached because its location and contact with the vehicle body affect what it reads.
The defect is in the screw connection that holds the side air bag sensor in place. Porsche traced the problem to paint residue on the bolt threads, which created high friction during assembly. That friction let the tool reach the specified torque and rotation angle before the nut was fully seated against its mating surface, leaving the sensor fastening insufficient.
Owners can see an airbag warning light and a related warning message in the instrument cluster. That warning is the sign Porsche identified before a failure is detected.
Who's affected?
The scope crosses three Porsche model lines in the 2018 model year, all tied to the air bag system.
| 2018 Porsche 911 | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster | air bag system |
| 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman | air bag system |
| Units affected | 417 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, loose air bag sensors can keep the air bags from deploying, increasing injury risk. An airbag warning light or instrument cluster message is the warning sign; treat it as a reason to call the dealer before driving farther. Repair is free at any franchised Porsche dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, or 718 Cayman is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Porsche dealer to schedule the free side air bag impact sensor repair.
- Bring the recall notice if Porsche mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V179 and Porsche recall AKA4 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the repair once your VIN is confirmed; the sensor repair helps the air bags deploy as designed in a crash.
- Call Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243 with questions about scheduling or owner notices.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Porsche technician checks the side air bag impact sensors and tightens any sensors that were not properly secured to the vehicle. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. Porsche has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall work opened. If you've paid for related sensor work, bring documentation to the service desk and ask Porsche customer service how the plan applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 6, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 5, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| May 5, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 5, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 5, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 17, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V179?
Recall 19V179 covers 417 2018 Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman vehicles with side air bag impact sensors that were not tightened properly. In a crash, that defect can stop the air bags from deploying, increasing injury risk. Porsche dealers will tighten the sensors for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, or 718 Cayman is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Porsche is included in recall 19V179. If it is, contact a franchised Porsche dealer and ask for the AKA4 air bag sensor recall repair. The dealer will tighten the side air bag impact sensors as needed for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Porsche dealers will tighten the affected side air bag impact sensors free of charge. Reference recall 19V179 or Porsche recall number AKA4 when you call.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is air bag nondeployment in a crash. The side air bag impact sensors tell the restraint system when to deploy. If those sensors are loose, the air bags can fail to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
What if I bought this Porsche used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2018 Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, or 718 Cayman is included, then call a franchised Porsche dealer with recall number 19V179 or AKA4.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V179000 |
|---|---|
| Porsche customer service | 1-800-767-7243 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V179 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V179000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →