UK drivers urged to 'stop' using cars as their wheels might come off

Porsche has issued an urgent recall for nearly 1,000 luxury vehicles in the UK. The German manufacturer has sent letters and emails to owners of specific high-end models, with the stark instruction "not to use your vehicle until further notice".

Owners have been told that they should not drive their luxury vehicles and that, as yet, no fix has has been found. About 1,000 drivers in the UK have been sent letters and emails telling them “not to use your vehicle until further notice”. The recall is being monitored by the DVLA.

Drivers of some top-end cars, ranging in value from about £100,000 to £200,000, have been sent the recall notification. It relates to specific models that have centrelock wheels, which are attached to the axle with one bolt — compared with standard five-bolt wheels on most cars.

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The notice reads: “On your Porsche, there is a possibility that the wheel attachments using the central lock do not meet the required specifications. This can lead to damage or even breakage of the central locking nut. As a result, the wheel attachment may become loose, which can result in a loss of the wheel and a loss of control over the vehicle. This can increase the risk of accidents and injuries, as well as the risk of property damage.

“For safety reasons, Porsche urgently requests owners to stop using the vehicle until the remedial measure has been implemented.” Porsche owners told The Times that they were “furious” at the company and said they did not believe a fix had been found. Some had been offered hire cars through Enterprise.

A source said: “This is wheelgate. They have rushed out cars, very expensive cars, that are not up to scratch and there is no fix. I had two inspectors come to see my car and all they said was ‘We’re really sorry, all of your wheels are out of specification, which means they can fall off. Yeah, this car is grounded.’”

A spokesman said: “The safety of customers, passengers and third parties is Porsche’s top priority. In order to ensure this, the affected vehicles should no longer be driven until the remedial measure has been implemented. To ensure the safe operation of the central screw connection, the central screw connections must be inspected and replaced if necessary. The availability of the required parts is currently being clarified.”