Once again, the "lemon" has struck.

One month ago, my car started sputtering, misfiring, hesitating, jerking, all of the good stuff for no reason whatsoever. The service rep drove it and could not believe it. They gave the car back to me a day later stating that the problem had gone away and that they had no idea ast to the nature of the problem.

Two weeks after that, my Cd player stops working. I have to replace the entire PCM unit and am waiting for the parts to get in.

Three days ago, I notice a severe "clank" every time I blip the throttle from idle. "Clank", the RPM goes down... blip the throttle and "clank".

Today, get a message stating "system fault, visit workshop."

The car sounds like a go cart. Moe is coming down from glistening perfection to do a $400 detail in the morning. Then I have to take it to the shop and have them poop all over the detail work.

If this car is a Lemon, Im going White on Natural Brown for the next one.

 

thats terrible! so are they giving you a new car? whats the lemon law?

 

3x and same problem, got it... but in how long of a time frame? so, 3years was too long.

 

I believe still having the car under warranty is key to arbitrate?
Here are the circumstances that must exist in order for you to assert this presumption:
(1) you have taken the vehicle to the dealership for repair of the same component four or more times,
or
(2) it has been kept at the dealership for repair of any one or more components for 30 days or more.
A replacement vehicle would be one that is substantially identical to the one you have; a repurchase would pay you the cash purchase price for your vehicle, less any rebates, and plus such other fees as sales tax and documentary fee, first year license fees, finance charges, and some or all of the out-of-pocket expenses you incurred because of the vehicle's failure.
The presumption of the Lemon Law does not mean that either replacement or repurchase will automatically happen. It does mean, though, that the burden of proof is on the manufacturer to rebut your presumption, rather than on you to offer any further proof that your vehicle is a "lemon."
To become eligible for consideration for replacement or repurchase, you must take certain steps:
Since 1986, automobile manufacturers have had to provide their customers with a means for settling manufacturing defect claims. If, according to your owner's manual, your vehicle's manufacturer uses Better Business Bureau Auto Line arbitration to settle these claims, the first step you must take is to notify the manufacturer directly of the problem. You can find the manufacturer's address or a toll-free telephone number in your owner's manual. When you call, ask to be given your "customer complaint or record number." Keep this number as your proof that you have attempted to allow the manufacturer to make good on his product.
The manufacturer will ask you to contact the Better Business Bureau's Auto Line department to request a claim form, which you should complete and return to the Bureau, along with certain other documents, such as a copy of your purchase contract. (When you receive the claim form, you'll also be given further information about the Bureau's Auto Line program.)
The BBB will forward your written claim to the manufacturer, who will respond with what they are willing to do to settle it. If their response is satisfactory to you, you will not have to do anything further. If it is not, the Bureau will facilitate the arbitratration of your claim for you.
Arbitration simply means that you have the opportunity to tell your side of your story to an arbitrator, who acts as an impartial judge, at an informal hearing in BBB offices. (It will help your case if you have retained records of all visits to your dealer, even for routine maintenance.) The arbitrator will listen to the manufacturer's representative also, and will then decide what the outcome should be.
Auto Line arbitration decisions are binding upon the manufacturer, but not upon the automobile owner. That is, if the manufacturer is ordered to buy back your vehicle, for example, they must do it. If, though, you are awarded less than you wanted, or nothing at all, you may reject the decision and take your case to court, if you wish.
The Better Business Bureau's Auto Line program is free, and should be completed within approximately 40 days.
For information or questions about the program, call the Better Business Bureau at:
(800) 955-5100

 

dude, that sucks

 

Took it to BevHills Porsche service dept today. The service manager says the system fault warning is related to the front control unit which controls certain electrical functions of the car(speedometer, headlights, etc..) Mind you, I have no electrical problems whatsoever.

When I hit the gas, there is a loud "ping". The service rep says, "what we have here is pinging but there is nothing wrong. Wait for your tank of gas to run out and see if it continues." He said the same thing last time. Then I tell them that every time I go into 1st or second gear it feels as though I'm breaking down a wall. He tells me to come back when the control unit is in stock. Then he'll take a look at everything including the recall of the exhaust pipes. Plus, he tells me that there is not a single PCM unit in the entire country. I've been listening to AM sports radio for a month. No CD.

So I drive away with my tail between my legs and.... PING.


PS,
Vincenzina -thanks for your concern.

 

Judge, all I can say is I feel for ya. I would advise you to call PCNA 1-800-PORSCHE (1-800-767-7243) and file a report detailing the car's history in detail. Then nicely ask to have your zone rep (I think his name is Gabbit Head?) contact you. Worked for me when I had an issue in the past. Tell him you are a huge Porsche fan and want to get another one if this one cannot be fixed shortly. If you have bought other Pcars in the past, mention them and where you purchased them. Obviously be polite yet firm that you expect nothing less than the best possible treatment as a Porsche customer. A good relationship with your service advisor or service manager would be very helpful as they can go to bat for you so of course you want to keep them on your side. You seem to be a very reasonable and patient fellow but I think you need to move forward on this.
Best of luck!

 

Judge,

Your being too soft with them, stop taking their **** and put your foot down, maybe write a letter of demand to PCNA get technical with them and demand that something be done, your car should not ping at all regardless of the fuel grade, so what your Service Manager has told you is complete bull****, he should be the one walking away with his tail between his legs, not you.

Good Luck.

 

Sorry to hear about all of your troubles. Who is your service rep at BH?

 

Lemon law claims are pretty tough. Porsche has deeeeeep pockets so they don't just give in when it comes to Lemon claims. One major facet of lemon law cases is that the problem has to pose a serious drivability or safety issue. More than just a "ping". I feel for you Judge but my advice is to remain as civil as possible because nobody will stick their neck out for you, not even the service advisor or manager. Just remain on good terms with them so they will continue to make attempts to diagnose your car. Once they say, we can find no problem and PCNA denies your lemon claim, you are in for one hell of a battle. Document everything, I mean EVERYTHING. Like you waited 30 mins for the Enterprise guy to come and pick you up, the loaner car cost you $XX dollars. You had to leave work 30 mins early and had to reschedule an appt to pick up your car, etc etc. Also, daily notes on what is happening with your car. Filled up with Super Unleaded 91 Oct @ Shell on Sunset/La Cienega XX gallons, XX dollars. Car pinged on XX occasions under XX conditions. If you go lemon, you will go AAA arbitration. You will have to double check your manual but I believe it is AAA for PCNA. They will want to see PROOF and well documented issues. Not something like I took my car in 5x for a ping and they said it wasn't there. So far this has cost me XX hundred minutes on the phone, and XX hundred minutes commuting back and forth to get the car as well as XX missed appts with clients etc etc.

Good luck!

 

get a lawyer, someone is rennlist hired a lawyer returned his car no problem, gotta find out who I forgot

 

I can't believe that. I would drop the car at the dealer and call PCNA and tell them you want a new car. That is unbelievable. Tell them keep it and like it.

 

I'm probably gonna get a lawyer. The car is still pinging and the service guy won't even take the car in. To all above and below, thank you for all your advice. Will keep everyone posted.

 

Thats sucks, has anyone experience this same problem?

 

The service guy is not taking the car in to avoid the 30 day issue. Lemon law in California is not that difficult to prove. If your PCM is not in leave the car there until it is fixed. The other option is to take the car for a day then return it the next day for the pinging if it continues. I did this with BMWNA and they fixed the problem by shipping in a corporate tech. The service advisor/tech does not have much influence at this point.

A good friend of mine had a PT Cruiser that Daimler refused to take back. At arbitration the judge awarded a full refund of the original purchase price. That was also a detonation issue.