Update:called Porsche GB last weekrequesting that they replace the adjusters, citing the in-flight US recall,prior recalls, etc. Response was a flat: "we cannot authorise a repairunless there is a GB recall." I have flagged the issue on theofficial Porsche GB owner forum too, but it does not look like an activecommunity for Cayenne drivers sadly - one 958 guy has got in touch so far andplans to check out his bolts.

Anyway,I am also awaiting repair quotes (one from an OPC and also from various indys)- one indy has come back so far and whilst the parts list looks similar to theWC22 (which I attached when emailing the various workshops for a quote), the2 camshaft controllers are only priced at $60 (x 2)?! Indeed, the totalparts bill looks to be <$500, whereas it should be more like $1500, right? Labour given as 8 hours whichappears OK. I can attach the quote if anyone is interested! Have learnt that a second indy has done a fewproactive Camshaft Controller replacements, mainly on Panameras, and also hasexperience of engines totally failing as a result of the bolts shearing off into the engine (they aim to quote me today).

TheUK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) needs to hear about this issue Ithink (I’ll lodge a 'serious safety defect' report with them), but shall alsowrite to Porsche GB to give them one more chance to proactively resolve thismatter first. Maybe in the meantime, some fellow UK owners will comeforward on the Porsche GB forum.

Iwas on the fence about taking out a warranty (on the assumption thatthe main/expensive problems are the manageable Transfer Case issues andthe faulty Camshaft Controllers, with the 958 otherwise being mechanicallysound like my previous Mercs and BMWs - where a warranty would have proved unnecessary).However, I now see that a third commonand potentially costly issue concerns coolant pipe failures on account of the Loctite'glue' used to attach them (subsequently resolved by using bolts)? I thought thiswas only a 957 issue, but it's 958s too?

Any there any otherserious weak points to be aware of please (defined as where failures would cost$1500+ to fix)? The high pressure fuel pump was replaced 15kmiles ago in 2015 happily (incidentally, was this unit upgraded in later modelsor can we expect this to fail again down the line?). Is it correct that the cardan/prop shaftfailures only really affect 957s or is this deemed a wear item on 958s too (ifso, do they typically fail around a certain mileage at all?).

Apologiesfor all the questions and a big thank you for any comments and advice. Hope therecalls to repair your cars all get completed soon (or that you are suitably reimbursed).

 

too_good... dunno why you have two posts - but they are slightly different.

Interesting reaction from Porsche GB..

The Variocam adjusters are about $600/each (list price $725/each) in the US. The non-Variocam timing gear (on the other camshaft) sells for around $72/each (list price $88) - so my WAG is - that's what they're quoting you. And that means they didn't use the parts list you provided to look up the part. And yes - in USD - the parts prices when I had mine done was around $1,600.

The coolant pipe failures actually appear to be rather rare on the 958 series. Much more common on the 957 vehicles. That could be addressed - probably by your independent if he's doing the Variocam adjusters - with some JBWeld liberally gorped around the junction of the cooling manifold and the pipe. I think done right (clean surfaces, allowing full cure time) that would be as good a fix as threaded or bolted connections. I've used JBWeld on BMW's miserable plastic bits in their cooling systems, and it holds up just fine. One chap came up with a clever bodge - preventing the pipe from being expelled from the manifold by using wire to hold it in (wire attached to the hose clamp on the hose and somewhere back on the coolant manifold.) Belt/suspenders would be that AND JBWeld.. and both can be done without opening the cooling system.

The high pressure fuel pump is not an endemic failure mode. It's not more common than on any other vehicle using a high-pressure fuel pump, and while there were some troublesome ones on early DFI Cayenne engines - those were replaced under service campaigns - just like BMW did on theirs.

Cardan shaft is not a 958 issue. At all. Ever.

 

Don - many thanks for your comprehensive and swift reply. Relief to hear coolant pipe issues are rather rare (and there is a preventative fix - I'll be mentioning to the indy!) and that cardan shafts are solid + no other obvious material/costly and common issues.

OPC has quoted $3700 for the camshaft controller work (!). They also want $320 for their 111 point check as a precursor for their approved warranty. Indy will do equivalent check FOC and do the work for approx $1k less I hope. So given 958 should be otherwise robust, I shall skip the warranty and save the money for maintenance/consumables.

I have written to Porsche GB today and invited them to do the honourable thing and fund the repair, requesting a response by end of day Friday. Will go from there. I have not contacted UK's equivalent of the NHSTA (the DVSA).

Incidentally, having read the NHSTA acknowledgement letter, a fellow UK owner (under OPC warranty til 2019) is now demanding his OPC replace the adjusters, having previously been fobbed off. So thanks again to those on this indispensable forum.

[Apologies for the spam and excessive bold font - I posted initially a few days ago, but nothing happened. Figuring a system issue, I re-posted a tweaked version at the weekend. Moderator was out for a long drive maybe!]

 

The 958 is so far - generally - robust. Less prone to issues than the prior model.. but one other thing to watch for is the transfer case. There are writeups here on the issue, and how to fix/avoid it. Also over on the rennlist.com Cayenne forum (they're also owned by Internet Brands.. so I think it's OK to reference it here.)

 

Cheers Don. You, and other members, helped me fix that issue when I first bought the car. Change of TC fluid resolved intermittent lumpy acceleration (oil was black and smelt burnt, etc.). Know what the signs are now and shall change it every 2 or 3 years Interestingly, I am pretty sure my CTT had its TC replaced under a WC (wish it was the camshaft adjusters instead!)...

 

I received this recall dated 7/31/17 I have owned a 2011 Cayenne S since it was new. I experienced warning mentioned in Recall (check engine light, noticeable vibration) and took my car to dealer. Received a $302 bill
and was told Porsche is gathering parts for the Recall. They also told us we could leave this potential “death trap”
with them until the Recall is ready to be done in what could be a few months.
This lack of concern for their customers is Outrageous. A catastrophic engine failure could result in loss of control
of the vehicle along with loss of power assisted steering and braking. All to save Porsche a few bucks on an engine built with apparently inferior parts.
I have contacted the NHTSA and Porsche North America (No Help) and I am going to monitor the media and forms in the hope that these cars are repaired before someone is seriously injured or killed. Should the latter happen everyone that has experienced this problem and the lackadaisical attitude displayed by Porsche should consider speaking up immediately so the public is made aware of this shameful lack of concern for customer safety.
Anyone can make a mistake in production, that’s human, it’s what is done to correct that mistake once it has been identified that shows how a company values it’s customers.

 

Not sure if this will be of any help to you but I filed a complaint with the NHTSA on 8/21/2015 after I had to pay for an engine replacement in my Panamera 4S. I wasn't contacted my NHTSA until 5/8/2017 informing me that a case had been opened up against Porsche and I provided all documentation regarding the repairs and research I did that this issue has been a known issue and Porsche failed to do anything about it. Here we stand, all waiting for Porsche to respond to the claim against them and repair the flawed defect and reimburse those of us who had to pay for the repair out of pocket.

I contacted NHTSA after the recall notice expressing my concern that Porsche is not dealing with this issue in a timely manner. They said that the only action I could take would to be file a complaint through the FTC. I've done so but have not heard anything from them either. This has been an extremely painful process and the fact that Porsche is allowing people to continue to operate a vehicle that could be putting lives at risk really shows their priorities.

I've since sold the Panamera but still own a 08 Cayenne GTS and 14 911 Turbo S Cab and am wondering if I need to move away from a car brand that I love. Porsche certainly has not show any loyalty or demonstrated any level of care to the well being of the people that support the brand.

 

My_tom_a
That is most unfortunate and I can understand your feelings especially since you are a multiple Porsche owner.
In my opinion based on what I have been told Porsche Germany is the problem, routinely rejecting warranty claims submitted by Porsche North America leaving them holding the bag. This behavior should not be tolerated by our government especially when the safety of U.S. Citizens is involved.
Even though you may love the brand when it turns it’s back on you it is time to remove your support. I have been happy with my Cayenne S up until this Recall and their callous behavior. I will not allow my wife and family to drive a vehicle I believe may be unsafe. My wife experienced an engine failure with another car manufacturer who took the engine apart then bought the vehicle back from us and we purchased another same model vehicle. As I stated earlier anything made by man can have an error as we are all human. It’s what is done to correct the situation that speaks to the quality of an individual or company. In that instance their attitude led us to purchase another vehicle. Today I own two of that model a 2013 & 2016 along with another of their vehicles.
Porsche expects us to pay a premium for their products and we do so. We in turn should at the least receive quality service and a company willing to stand behind their products and insure the safety of it’s customers from known potential mechanical failures while driving our vehicles. In my opinion there is no conceivable Reason in three months time the necessary bolts could not have been produced to begin facilitating this recall.

 

Folks - I suspect at least part of the delay in implementing the recall is parts availability. In the China and Japan recalls - the bolts weren't replaced. The entire Variocam adjuster was replaced. At 2X per engine, and 17,000 vehicles affected - that's 34,000 of these that the manufacturer of them has to make (and they were made by an outside vendor.)

I see no reason that the recall in the US would be any different than the ones in other countries. Removing and replacing the bolts would be iffy at best, since the bolt heads are soft aluminum with a very shallow Torx recess.

As to reimbursing the owners who have already had or addressed the problem - money in Porsche's hands is worth more to them than money in our hands, so taking their time setting up that process is financially rewarding to them. My_tom_a - can you provide details on how to file the FTC complaint - and those of us awaiting reimbursement can add our complaints to yours? Perhaps if the FTC sees a pattern they might take some action.

 

As the earliest complains of this problem are nearly three years old I would say Porsche had ample time to facilitate this repair if they wanted to. Helen Keller could more then likely resolved this issue by now. I am extremely disappointed in the attitude displayed
by this auto maker and once I resolve this unfortunate issue I will never again set foot in another Porsche dealership let alone one of their vehicles. I agree they are more concerned with the money in their pocket as opposed to taking care of their customers which we should all remember when considering a new vehicle. If no one buys their cars that will certainly get their attention. Friday my wife is going to test drive the Maserati SUV and if she likes it I will buy it for her as I am very happy with my Ferrari and especially with the service I receive at my dealership.
Whoever is in charge of this debacle is not doing Porsche any favors.

 

Since Porsche Cars NA is located in Atlanta.. perhaps you could do us all a favor, head over there and start chewing *** right up the executive chain.

I agree they do show arrogance - but that's more a general German vehicle manufacturer trait rather then something specific to Porsche. And Swedes aren't immune from it either.

 

I have spoken with a couple of people one of which asked for an e-mail he said he will give to the right person. This Gentleman was very nice but a Supervisor in Warranty that my wife spoke with was
arrogant and uncaring. I am going to Ferrari tomorrow afternoon and may resolve this issue to my wife's satisfaction with the Maserati. To show the difference in the two brands my regular salesman is coming
in on his day off to assist us in this matter.
I will monitor this situation and if unfortunately someone is injured in this unnecessary situation with Porsche I will make myself available to assist the injured party in any litigation that may follow.
Totally unnecessary behavior from what is considered a quality car manufacturer.

 

I'd love to hear how the Maserati works out for your wife. In the past they haven't been known for stellar reliability. In forums I watched, it appears the engines are robust - and the electrics are not. At least the dealer will probably pay attention to you since you also own a Ferrari.

 

Spent the day at my dealer what a fun experience! My wife drove numerous cars until she settled on one model. She then drove a couple of those and settled on one that had just come in and was sitting on the showroom floor.
They pulled it out, she took a drive and the deal was struck. Beautiful car with a Ferrari built engine (which I love). My car which had been in for yearly service and detail (F430) was brought out and looked like new. We finished the paperwork and brought them home.
Car is beautiful, and my dealership really takes care of the cars so I know she will be happy. It really is a shame about the Porsche because she liked that car. If Porsche had made even the slightest effort she might have brought a 2018 of their’s home today.
In this world you either take care of your customers, or you lose them.

 

The FTC complaint process isn't as thorough as I would expect it to be but if you go to the link below, select "Other" and then the "Automobile", it will take you to pretty simple form to fill in the details about your complaint.

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov