New software update

[bbmertz]

I contacted the dealership since I needed them to reprogram the module for a headlight which was recently replaced by a local body shop.

Unfortunately on my drive home I briefly got the same Assistance Systems Limited warning which had been occurring prior to the software update. How can I check to see what version of software is installed?

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[BruceS2]

Picked my car up today after the Software update. Took 4 days! I asked them to charge up the battery for me before I pick it up...they didn't so I waited. Took 45 min. figure out the new software does not play well with their high speed chargers! They thought the shop charger would work but I was tired of waiting and just picked up the car. One tech said they have seen this before but have no control over the Porsche software in the chargers...he said its a communication error. Said working with other chargers would be ok. I tried it on my home charger and it works fine. So heads up....new software isn't always better

 

[Yves]

Picked my car up today after the Software update. Took 4 days! I asked them to charge up the battery for me before I pick it up...they didn't so I waited. Took 45 min. figure out the new software does not play well with their high speed chargers! They thought the shop charger would work but I was tired of waiting and just picked up the car. One tech said they have seen this before but have no control over the Porsche software in the chargers...he said its a communication error. Said working with other chargers would be ok. I tried it on my home charger and it works fine. So heads up....new software isn't always better

Can you test fast charging so we know for sure it works as intended, because if fast charging at the Porsche center fails, I would be very wary that DC charging works as intended …

 

[krissrock]

mine comes up on the NHTSA and Porsche's site...
interestingly, it says the rear and surround cameras...
i'm assuming the surround cameras are jus subject to the software update, and the rear is subject to actual physical replacement

 

[Rocket Roger]

I did not see this posted in the thread, maybe I missed it, but here is the documentation on VR28.11 software update
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11016767-0001.pdf

 

[alxman]

VR28.11 software update
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11016767-0001.pdf
(Thanks@Rocket Roger)

WHAT A COMPLICATED PROCESS!!!
I really like my 4S. It handles almost like a sports car despite its size and weight, it is a pleasure to drive! The HUD, instrument cluster, and center display give me all the information I need without distracting from the main focus, driving. I like the Apple CarPlay integration. I appreciate the luxurious interior and overall good quality of the vehicle.
But, the company is way behind in the software department! I can’t avoid comparing it to my other car, 2025 Tesla Model X. It updates OTA. You can control everything from the center screen. It sends me notifications when a door or trunk is open and I can close it using my iPhone. It has cards instead of key fobs and I can open it with my phone or watch, and drive it with my phone as a key. Garage doors open and close automatically when we get home and leave. And I’m sure I’m forgetting other stuff. Oh, and we get free DC charging for as long as we own the vehicle.
Don’t get me wrong, I would not switch my Macan with my wife’s Tesla. However, it’s hard not to notice the difference. The process of updating the software of a Porsche compared to other vehicles like Tesla is like comparing the old DOS with today’s operating systems.
Im afraid that the company is going to be left behind if it doesn’t catch up with the current system innovations!
Don’t hate me lol, I like Porsches. I’m just wondering and somewhat worried…

 

[krissrock]

What a complicated process!!!
I really like my 4S. It handles almost like a sports car despite its size and weight, it is a pleasure to drive! The HUD, instrument cluster, and center display give me all the information I need without distracting from the main focus, driving. I like the Apple CarPlay integration. I appreciate the luxurious interior and overall good quality of the vehicle.
But, the company is way behind in the software department! I can’t avoid comparing it to my other car, 2025 Tesla Model X. It updates OTA. You can control everything from the center screen. It sends me notifications when a door or trunk is open and I can close it using my iPhone. It has cards instead of key fobs and I can open it with my phone or watch, and drive it with my phone as a key. Garage doors open and close automatically when we get home and leave. And I’m sure I’m forgetting other stuff. Oh, and we get free DC charging for as long as we own the vehicle.
Don’t get me wrong, I would not switch my Macan with my wife’s Tesla. However, it’s hard not to notice the difference. The process of updating the software of a Porsche compared to other vehicles like Tesla is like comparing the old DOS with today’s operating systems.
Im afraid that the company is going to be left behind if it doesn’t catch up with the current system innovations!
Don’t hate me lol, I like Porsches. I’m just wondering and somewhat worried…

yeh, that makes sense..tesla's been doing this for over a decade... Porsche is still pretty new to this. Just gotta keep things in perspective.

 

[Petzi]

@alxman. i respect your priorities. but not your conclusions.

first: the gimmicks and abilities on your list you can get better and cheaper from most chinese cars. i am “afraid” that tesla will be left behind. (but there are the tariffs to help)

second: there is the real (as in how its build) quality of the software and hardware. we begin to see that all the posted complaints about bugs are getting less and less. the fact that updates are made by trained personal in a shop is not a disadvantage per se. tesla has no other choice then to do this ota. this is no proof that ota is safer or better.

bottom line is that the porsche software now, not even 12 months after introduction is working as promised . tesla software is still not doing half of whats been advertised..

lets wait and see an other year and see if the garage door can be opend “automaticly” instead of pushing a button if thats so important for some.

but most importantly porsche does not want to be tesla or byd. it never wanted to be one of the mass producers of cheap cars like tesla. volkswagen is doinig this. porsche compares with other super cars and has been super profitable with this btw.

 

[ColdCase]

I recall similar discussions when desktop computers first came out decades ago. We are talking about a couple different development philosophies and a wide variety of engineering compromisses.

Most car manufacture’s engineering development model is to design and build it right the first time. Fix whats not working during the next development cycle. They don’t need to provide the community with the infrequent updates as they have techs and service centers for that.

Keep in mind that, like Microsoft years ago, Tesla's development model is to ship out cheaply and quickly developed half baked software and let the community do the work beta testing and improving it (there is a time to market and fix it later compromise). Patches are routine events, so to make that work you have to implement an efficient and effective software update process,, or you loose your community and company. It is not an easy thing to manage and software dev/maintenance is one of the things now hurting Tesla’s bottom line. Contrary to media assertions, Tesla’s software is not that good. Their kids seem to understanding man machine interfaces and computer gaming, however.

Cheap and quick software is plagued with security holes that are easily hacked and unexpected events. It is hard to be hurting (e.g. chopping fingers off) or killing community members with desktop computer hardware,. Cars are different.

Latent defects in systems that depend on software are usually easier to fix in software than hardware. So developers can take a chance by not fully testing software and fixing it later as part of a continuous develop plan. Hardware you have to get it right.

I’ve been the chief engineer or tech director on several multi million dollar development programs. I’ve seen a program dying from a thousand cuts adding nice but unnecessary user options. Its not that easy and most car customers, by far, don’t know what they don’t know.

I think Porsche’s software implementation reflect the design philosophy of the company, build cars that are satisfying to drive, manufactured well, and just work. Its good stuff.

 

[Yves]

VR28.11 software update
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11016767-0001.pdf
(Thanks@Rocket Roger)

WHAT A COMPLICATED PROCESS!!!
I really like my 4S. It handles almost like a sports car despite its size and weight, it is a pleasure to drive! The HUD, instrument cluster, and center display give me all the information I need without distracting from the main focus, driving. I like the Apple CarPlay integration. I appreciate the luxurious interior and overall good quality of the vehicle.
But, the company is way behind in the software department! I can’t avoid comparing it to my other car, 2025 Tesla Model X. It updates OTA. You can control everything from the center screen. It sends me notifications when a door or trunk is open and I can close it using my iPhone. It has cards instead of key fobs and I can open it with my phone or watch, and drive it with my phone as a key. Garage doors open and close automatically when we get home and leave. And I’m sure I’m forgetting other stuff. Oh, and we get free DC charging for as long as we own the vehicle.
Don’t get me wrong, I would not switch my Macan with my wife’s Tesla. However, it’s hard not to notice the difference. The process of updating the software of a Porsche compared to other vehicles like Tesla is like comparing the old DOS with today’s operating systems.
Im afraid that the company is going to be left behind if it doesn’t catch up with the current system innovations!
Don’t hate me lol, I like Porsches. I’m just wondering and somewhat worried…

It has no powered doors how would that work from a software perspective. Mine had no real surround view, could not use Apple CarPlay, had phantom braking more then I can count. One software update removed heating buttons, so you needed to. Go down in the menu, only later to be brought back as shortcuts you could place …
Granted the iX I have trumps (maybe I should not use that word) both the Macan and the Model X I had …
No, software wise Tesla is not miles ahead anymore … on the other hand it’s quite mind boggling Porsche decided to leave out some HW functionality that would have helped the software a lot, powered doors and an NFC/UWB reader are the 2 main ones, though I still hope I can use my Apple Watch/iPhone some day as a key (still hoping there is a NFC / UWB somewhere )

 

[Petzi]

@Yves : you are right and all this should be available. but to be fair, none of this has been promised to be included n your macan.

 

[Yves]

@Yves : you are right and all this should be available. but to be fair, none of this has been promised to be included n your macan.

Indeed it was no surprise and a conscious decision to skip these … but I still hope we get Apple CarKey

 

[Dragon Tourniquet]

To see if you have a shot of getting Apple Car Key, check the part# on your current fob. The PPE1B-433 only supports standard RFID, but PPE1C-433 also supports UWB. If you have the UWB keys there's a much better chance your car could get Car Key. Still no guarantee they will add it to cars already shipped though, since Apple could require the use of a specific certified (by Apple) UWB receiver.

 

[yes!]

I originally shared this in a different thread, but I think it makes more sense to post it here as well:
My car is 6 months old with around 13,000 km on it. Last week, while it was parked (not in use), the alarm started going off randomly—day or night—without any clear reason. It never happens while driving, only when stationary.
I took it to the authorized dealer. On the first day, they said they had applied a software update and that the alarm issue seemed resolved. However, a different error code appeared, and they attempted another software installation. That update failed, and since then the car has been sitting at the dealer without any clear solution.
The car has now been at the dealer since Tuesday with no deadline given. In the meantime, they provided a BMW X1 as a loaner for 7 days, which I’m really not satisfied with given the segment difference. Beyond that, I still have no idea what will happen.
Important detail: I delivered the car in fully working condition, but now I’ve been informed that the vehicle is not drivable due to an incomplete software installation. So the car became non-operational after it entered service.

Update on my previous message:

My Porsche Macan has been at the service center since April 15. Initially, they suspected a software issue, but as of May 7, the exact problem was identified: the HCP4 control unit (which manages the vehicle’s comfort and electrical systems) is faulty. The part has been ordered and is expected to arrive within 12–15 days. After that, installation, coding, and testing will take place. The estimated delivery date is around May 27–30.

 

[alxman]

To see if you have a shot of getting Apple Car Key, check the part# on your current fob. The PPE1B-433 only supports standard RFID, but PPE1C-433 also supports UWB. If you have the UWB keys there's a much better chance your car could get Car Key. Still no guarantee they will add it to cars already shipped though, since Apple could require the use of a specific certified (by Apple) UWB receiver.

Is your key fob compatible with UWB and if so, is it because you have comfort access? Thx

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