Last year, Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) issued a recall and a subsequent stop-drive order for the Carrera GT supercar. The automaker discovered that certain suspension joints could fail due to salt corrosion. If this were to occur, the suspension arms could malfunction, making the car unsafe to drive, although fortunately, this scenario never materialized.
It has taken over a year for Porsche to develop a solution, but the fix is finally available. However, what's more intriguing than the suspension repair is the new tire that Porsche will install on all Carrera GTs as part of the recall campaign. As reported by The Autopian earlier this month, PCNA will equip all Carrera GTs with a new version of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tire, specifically designed for the vehicle. Automotive YouTuber and Carrera GT owner Doug DeMuro highlights in a video about the recall fix that this is a clever approach by Porsche to address a specific issue.
The Carrera GT is known for being challenging to drive. While this reputation might be exaggerated, it's still a 612-hp, mid-engine, rear-drive supercar without stability control. Over the years, there have been several notable Carrera GT crashes, including the one that claimed actor Paul Walker's life. His car was fitted with tires that were over nine years old at the time of the accident. It's impossible to determine if the old tires were the definitive factor in the crash—the driver was traveling at around 90 mph—but driving on such old tires is undeniably hazardous.
I'm frequently amazed at how many seemingly well-maintained cars are fitted with ancient tires. After just a few years, tire rubber becomes hard and brittle, and its performance deteriorates significantly. Many people only consider tread depth as an indicator of a tire's condition. This is particularly problematic for a car like the Carrera GT, which, as DeMuro notes, is not driven frequently. Most of these vehicles spend the majority of their lives in climate-controlled garages, accumulating only a few hundred miles annually. As a result, the tires aren't worn out, but the rubber is degrading.
Replacing the tires is a significant safety enhancement. DeMuro also mentions that Porsche has faced lawsuits over Carrera GT crashes—in 2017, Walker's daughter settled with the company. While automakers aren't usually responsible for ensuring their cars have safe tires, Porsche clearly wants to eliminate this variable for the Carrera GT. Additionally, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is a much more modern and grippy tire compared to anything previously developed for the Carrera GT. Tire technology has advanced considerably since the Michelin Pilot Sport 2s that came with these cars from the factory two decades ago, and even the improved Pilot Super Sport that Porsche later developed for the vehicle.
DeMuro also points out that the recall campaign is smart in bringing Carrera GT owners back to Porsche dealers, as many have their cars serviced by independent specialists. Porsche is also offering a $3,500 service credit, which will help build goodwill and create a list of potential customers for the upcoming Mission X hypercar.
The suspension fix itself is noteworthy. DeMuro states that the cars are receiving $109,000 worth of new titanium suspension components to address potential corrosion issues. Porsche is investing heavily in this recall.
It's important to note that Porsche only found one instance of a Carrera GT with failing suspension components, which led to the recall. The driver of the car didn't even notice the issue; it was discovered by their dealer during unrelated work. Before issuing the stop-drive order, Porsche inspected Carrera GTs for corrosion, and if none was found, deemed the cars safe to drive. This is why DeMuro and many other owners disregarded the stop-drive order. It's hard to imagine many Carrera GTs being exposed to significant salt corrosion.
Porsche is meticulous about the Carrera GT, so while this recall fix is unusually extensive and costly, it's likely worthwhile. And if it helps the company sell some Mission Xs, that's an added bonus.
