Porsche vehicles are no longer running reliably in Russia due to a widespread failure of the factory-installed Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), the satellite-based alarm that locks ignition and fuel delivery. Drivers in Moscow, Krasnodar, and other cities began complaining last week engines dead, doors stuck, no response from key fobs. Rolf, Russia's largest dealership group, confirmed a sharp spike in service calls starting November 28, affecting all models and engine types.
Dealerships suspect a communication breakdown with the VTS module, which Porsche mandates on Russian-market cars for anti-theft. Temporary fixes involve disconnecting the battery for 10 hours or disassembling the alarm unit, but many owners need tow trucks for service centers. Rolf's service director hinted it "might be intentional," though no proof surfaces yet.
Porsche suspended new car deliveries to Russia in March 2022 after the Ukraine invasion, citing "uncertainty." The brand retains three subsidiaries Porsche Russia, Porsche Center Moscow, and PFS Russia unable to sell despite deals with "independent investors" pending government approval. Warranty service continues through local partners, but parts and updates lag.
This isn't the first headache. Porsche scaled back but never fully exited, facing failed asset sales and regulatory blocks. Recent global sales dips (down 8% in 2025) compound woes, with Russia a shrinking footnote. Owners fume in Telegram groups, dubbing cars "bricks" as winter bites.
Glitch from neglected remote systems? Or deliberate remote disablement tied to sanctions? Porsche stays silent. Russian owners pay the price either way prepped for failure in a market Porsche can't quit.
