What is the WC25 recall exactly?

My dealer is telling me it is lack of clear coat sealant of the lower rocker panels and requires sanding and repainting and sealing. He says all their customers are declining to have it done! However, reading this forum is sounds more like it is missing body work seals and requires a lot of work to fix. Can someone elaborate what this recall really is and how long it takes?

 

Would also like to know which build dates are affected.

 

As I understand it, it is a factory recall of 991s produced before March 2012, some of which had defective rubber seals (materials or install I am not certain) in the trunk compartment. Mine was in for over a week as the car was sent off to a paint and body shop that PCNA had certified for the work. The service tech described shipping a box of seals and insulation with the car, all to replace what was there. I had no leaks before, but was told that some had been reported and that damage to electronics had occurred. I could smell new rubber (or adhesive) when the car came back- gone now.

My car has also had the campaign to insulate a fuel line that could rub (had not happened) and O rings in the AC system (tech advised that two had signs of weeping).

Your dealer sounds like he needs a call from PCNA.

 

I think my dealer just doesn't want to do it and is giving me some BS. Not happy about this. Mine is a launch car so I guess this is my penalty.

 

Got mine the week after launch date (with the wrapper still on). January build date.

The work apparently involves a good bit of disassembly to replace whatever is involved. My dealer sent it to a body shop that they used of all major body work. I was nervous with that arrangement and told them so. I got a call and explanation from PCNA. They advised that the body shop was certified by them and that such work in my area was directed to them. As I mentioned, it was all good.

Given that the factory covers warranty and campaign costs, I would not trust such a dealer who would treat a customer that way, contact PCNA, and seek a reputable dealer for all future service.

 

It's the amount of dissasembly that concerns me, especially if the dealer technician hasn't done it before. I bought (paperwork signed but no deposit given) the car last week but haven't picked it up yet. Perhaps I should try to cancel the deal, especially as they have misled me about what the recall entails. I checked with them again today and they were adamant that WC25 is the paint sealer (clear coat I assume) that was too thin on the lower rocker panels. They told me all Porsche owners declined this recall because it requires the bodywork to be sanded down, repainted and re-sealed!

How is your car now it's done? Any issues or concerns?

 

Wow. That car has been there for some time if it is new. Sorry about that bull with the dealer.

My car came back looking and working just as it did when I got it. The dealer told me the seals campaign was better handled by the body shop they use than they could manage. I did not rush them when it took a little longer than expected (but don't really know how many hours were involved- it was not on the invoice report that I got).

PS - I have had no issues at all so far with my dealer- they have contacted me and done all the campaigns for early build cars that have been reported. The AC O ring one took longer than they thought it would. The tech who did it told me there was a lot to get out of the way and replace and that while it it was straightforward he took his time as it was the first time doing it.

 

Build date on my car is Nov 2011. I thought it was strange that they had the car so long and it hadn't sold - perhaps this is why. Most disturbing thing is that they misled me about this recall.

I don't like the idea of major disassembly on a brand new car.

 

I hope that a very substantial discount would seem to be in order given that your car needs to have the campaign work done and you will have the inconvenience of finding an honest dealer to take you through them.

If you don't want to deal with that particular aggravation (and any other due to running changes Porsche makes and will do to an early build car), I would bail out and look not just for another car, but elsewhere too.

That said, I have had no, zero, 0 problems with my early build car. It has been in for service for the factory campaigns and they have all been done with no noticeable effect. I don't regret getting an early build car- any machine can have issues, but likely most have been discovered and worked out after a year in production. Overall the 991 is superbly built.

 

I appreciate your feedback and advice, thanks.

Good discount and the car is the color I wanted and with the right options for me. I am buying it out of state so I will not be using this dealer for service or recalls in the future. However, they have had the car since Feb and the WC25 recall was in July yet they haven't done it, plus they have misled me as to what it really is. Clearly they don't want or can't do it as they have had many months to do it but haven't. Disappointing to say the least.

I'll talk to PCNA tomorrow and see what they say and recommend. Perhaps I'm better to have my local dealer do the recall. I'm in snowy Wisconsin so I won't be driving it much for the next couple of months!

From what I read on the forums it's a 3 - 5 day fix at the dealer.

 

Had mine done at the local dealer - took 3 day. Car looked and felt 100% the same when I got it back. I have a launch car and it has had zero issues in 8k miles, including a dozen track days.

 

I appreciate the feedback - thanks. Must be plenty of cars that had this or need this recall. Would love to hear from more of them.

Was it a Porsche approved body shop that did yours or ???

 

I didn't ask since this is very fancy dealership that in addition to p-cars sells hypercars etc. Work quality is never an issue there. In general though, all of their bodywork is outsourced (like many if not most dealers). Also, FWIW, I don't know if the work is on the front end or not, but I have a clear bra across the whole front bumper and hood and they definitely weren't sanded or clearcoated or I would have noticed.

 

Called few Porsche dealerships today and finally found one that knew what they were talking about. Recall will be done by Porsche Tech, not a bodyshop and Porsche estimates/allows 5.5 hours for the job.

 

Odd question..... I'm not sure of my exact build date, but took delivery in April. If this pertains to me, will PCNA notify me via mail, as most manufacturers do?