Used Car Checklists

2020 Porsche Taycan: What to check before buying

Only 2 owner complaints are on file with NHTSA for this car, so this sheet is short. Problems reported on other Taycan years with the same design are listed below the checklist.

Porsche Taycan2020
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
4
Crashes reported
0
Reliability
Good
70/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2020 Porsche Taycan. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Reported on other Taycan years with the same design

Few owners have reported problems with this year yet. These years share the 2020's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.

2022 Taycan

76 owner complaints
  • Electrical 31
  • Transmission 16
  • Engine 3

Worth adding to your 2020 checks

  • Run cabin heat and front defrost on high for ten minutes and confirm hot air and a clearing windshield.
  • Make repeated stops in traffic and watch the gear display for unexpected shifts to Neutral, Park or Hold.
  • Ask for service records showing "Electrical System Error" visits, power loss events, or a high-voltage heater replacement.
Open the 2022 checklist

2023 Taycan

18 owner complaints
  • Electrical 8
  • Brakes 3

Worth adding to your 2020 checks

  • Drive at highway speed and watch for an "Engine Control" warning, loss of power, or sudden unprompted braking.
  • Ask for service records and look for repeat visits for engine control errors or a car-not-drivable warning.
  • Inspect underbody wiring near the battery for exposed, loose, or unprotected cables.
Open the 2023 checklist

2024 Taycan

8 owner complaints
  • Electrical 5

Worth adding to your 2020 checks

  • Ask for service records covering any loss-of-power or electrical fault, and what the dealer found and replaced.
  • Drive at least half an hour and watch for electrical system or engine control error warnings on the dash.
  • Run the heater and defroster on full and confirm warm air clears the windshield.
Open the 2024 checklist

Which Taycan is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Porsche Taycan. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
ElectricAWD203 mi range
  • With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 203 miles. A much lower number on a mild day can mean a worn battery; ask for a battery health report.

Where the 2020 fits in the Taycan's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2020 is the first model year of the Taycan's first generation (2020–2024). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Porsche fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.

Porsche updated the Taycan for 2024, so a 2020 does not have those changes.

What changed for 2024 (not on a 2020)

  • Improved battery chemistry with increased power density
  • Upgraded rear traction motor from Macan BEV
  • Increased maximum regenerative braking power from 290 to 400kW
  • Increased maximum charging rate from 270 to 320kW

Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.

Recalls to confirm (4)

Recall repairs are free at any Porsche dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 24V215000ElectricalMar 2024

    Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Taycan, Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, 2020-2023 Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo S, 2021-2022 Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, 2022 Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, 2022-2023 Taycan GTS, 2023 Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, and 2020-2021 Taycan Turbo vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery modules.

    Risk: A short circuit in the battery increases the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will replace the affected modules in the high-voltage battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 8, 2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ARA4.

  2. 24V217000ElectricalMar 2024

    Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Taycan, 2020-2024 Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo, 2021-2023 Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, 2022-2023 Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, 2023 Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo, 2022-2024 Taycan GTS, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, and 2020-2023 Taycan Turbo S vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery modules.

    Risk: A short circuit in the battery increases the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will analyze the battery data and replace the high-voltage battery modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 9, 2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ARA5.

  3. 23V841000ElectricalDec 2023

    Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling various models and model years. Please see the recall report for a list of the included vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.

    Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 24, 2024. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, anticipated mid-2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is APB6.

  4. 23V176000ElectricalMar 2023

    Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2020 Taycan Turbo, 2021 Taycan, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, 2022 Taycan, Taycan Turbo, Taycan GTS, Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, 2020-2022 Taycan 4S and Taycan Turbo S, and 2023 Taycan vehicles. When there is an unbelted passenger, the seat belt warning light and audible chime will not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".

    Risk: A malfunctioning seat belt warning system may not alert the passenger to buckle their seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is APA2.

Also looking at these instead of a Taycan?

Cars shoppers compare with the Porsche Taycan, with their own 2020 checklists.