Attention 2010/2011 Turbo and S Owners – Camshaft Controller Failure (US Safety Recall)

[Paul Mitchell]

I can confirm that last week my 2010 Panamera 4S was repaired COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE by Porsche GB Warranty dept.
This was after a DVSA complaint.
Porsche GB wanted it sent to an official Porsche Centre to inspect first.
Take this up with Porsche GB and the DVSA immediately.

 

[condor]

I telephoned Porsche GB and told them that my model car had been recalled in the US. They informed me that there was NO recall on my chassis number.

When I wrote to the DVSA, as my car had not yet suffered any problems, they seemed uninterested.

does anyone please have any contact details at Porsche GB or the DVSA .. ?

 

[too_good]

So yet another blown engine and example of Porsche abdicating from responsibility.

@Condor - did you get a written response from the DVSA? On 1 March 2018, the response from Kevin Zinzan of the DVSA was:

"The official response from the manufacturer concludes there is insufficient evidence of a wider problem to warrant an action" and "a search of DVSA's defects and recalls databases has revealed no similar reports."

[FYI all, I undertook a preventative repair in 2017 to replace the defective camshaft assemblies on safety grounds and said apathy of Porsche GB.]

-------------------------

The DVSA must have several reports of this issue on file now, yet they still appear to assert there is no problem?! Several people have reported this safety defect to the DVSA on this forum alone in the last few months as far as I can tell.

@Neil - accordingly, I strongly suggest:
1. You challenge the above position when you report to the DVSA, stating you are aware of several reports of this safety defect referred to them in recent months alone.
2. You demand that the Porsche OPC look up your VIN number - no doubt they will say that there is no recall (just like they told Condor and me). Supposedly because UK cars are not defective or were built after the affected cars, etc. Nonsense.

I remain astonished at Porsche's apathy - is it going to take a serious crash or fatality before they acknowledge the defect and take responsibility?!

Best,
Ben

 

[Paul Mitchell]

You can use my case as a precedent. Mine is a 2010 Panamera 4s with 85,000 miles in the clock and Porsche GB carried out the engine rebuild and replaced faulty parts completely free of charge. This was after I wrote to Kevin at the DVSA and threatened legal action against both them and Porsche GB. I had no formal response from the DVSA other than when they told me they were investigating. The first I knew of the result was when the service manager at Porsche Tonbridge called me. He had been told by Porsche GB that if he couldn’t repair the engine economically they would replace the entire engine.
So please use my case as the precedent. For reference my Reg is KE10HPC.
Best
Paul

 

[condor]

@Condor - did you get a written response from the DVSA? On 1 March 2018, the response from Kevin Zinzan of the DVSA was:

Ben, I got no response from the DVSA. I've not yet had a problem with my engine, and therefore there is no defect for me to report.

Paul, do you think the Service Manager at Porsche Tonbridge would enter a discussion with me ?

Cheers

Condor (aka Jeremy)

 

[732WKX]

Update

I had a call from Porsche UK yesterday regarding my complaint about how dangerous my sudden engine failure was when their aluminium bolts design decided to part company from the variable camshaft on bank 1.

The chap I spoke to was very apologetic at the delay in responding to the complaint which I sent to Porsche UK and AG months ago, he asked whether the vehicle had been fixed
which I replied yes under a third party policy (Warrantywise) due to Porsche denying any problems existed with these engines.

Well, it appears Porsche is now working with the DVSA (Kevin) to fix vehicles that have suffered and will probably soon if not already, so there is hope for all sufferers!

Another point brought up whilst on the phone was the fact when an engine failure occurs the vehicle's electronics go into self-preservation mode which renders the vehicle inactive
and being an automatic virtually uncontrollable, I was lucky in that I managed to get to the side of the road and not hit anything around me, I don't like to think of what would have happened 30 min earlier when on the motorway.
I was assured Porsche is (finally) taking this very seriously and will keep me informed of planned action from this case.

So again if you are worried or have suffered engine problems get in touch with Porsche UK (Redding) 01189165177 is the No. I was called on hopefully this will get you somewhere!
Regards Gordon.

 

[too_good]

Gordon/all - any developments or further word from Porsche or the DVSA on this out of interest please?

An official announcement or formal recall is the ideal scenario (to echo the approach taken in the US and other markets).

Cheers,
Ben

 

[732WKX]

Hi Ben
Not heard anything new from Porsche or Kevin at DVSA since my last post.
Regards Gordon.

 

[Dazbut]

Aplogies if everyone already knows, but Porsche Campaign has started to sort the camshaft controller / bolts issue now in the u.k. Just had mine done on my Panamera Turbo S (2011). Happy days!

 

[too_good]

All - hope your camshaft controllers have all been duly fixed FOC by Porsche by now, etc.

I paid for a Porsche Specialist to undertake a preventative repair/replacement of the camshaft controllers back in 2017 on safety grounds and I am considering next steps given the way my safety defect report/complaint was handled by Porsche and the DVSA at the time.

@Gordon - further to your post in April, did you receive any sort of refund or compensation as a result of you having to claim on your Warrantywise policy for a blown engine?

Cheers,
Ben

 

[732WKX]

Hi Ben
Eventually after a lot of aggravation Warrantywise paid for the work done and labour costs.
Porsche UK called me to make amends for there sloooow response (3 months later) i did question wether some one had been killed or severely maimed due to there dangerous design fault, i feel my comment fell on deaf ears or maybe still in denial!
Regards Gordon.

 

[too_good]

Interesting, thanks Gordon - I thought Porsche may have paid you something on the basis that you had to claim on your Warrantywise policy owing to a vehicle defect, may affect warranty cost at renewal because you have claimed, etc.

 

[teamlevi]

Aplogies if everyone already knows, but Porsche Campaign has started to sort the camshaft controller / bolts issue now in the u.k. Just had mine done on my Panamera Turbo S (2011). Happy days!

Our Cayenne S (2011) was done too at our local OPC (South London). Top notch service with a Boxster GTS loaner (fun little thing)

 

[732WKX]

Hi Ben
We are talking about a company that feels profit is vastly more important than serious safety issues, dragging there heals with the engine problem is only one issue i have had the other is my panoramic roof failing to close unless considerable force was used this started about the time the engine failed.
It has taken 5/6 months for a new cassette to arrive from Germany in the mean time porsche changed the part code i think a new supplier! as a result the new panoramic cassette arrived and fitted only to find the roller blind was different from mine which meant forking out another 860+vat (which didn't happen, at that point i lost the plot) Porsche has graciously accepted that they had taken a step to far!
So finally I'm picking the Cayenne up tomorrow morning after another month in the garage.
Regards Gordon.

 

[pttk]

Hi, from CHILE view my case : https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-958-2011-2018/1168897-cayenne-s-error-camshaft-position-sensor-2.html

obviously the dealer wants to charge for repair.

Thank

PTTK

 

[BrotherBear]

Aplogies if everyone already knows, but Porsche Campaign has started to sort the camshaft controller / bolts issue now in the u.k. Just had mine done on my Panamera Turbo S (2011). Happy days!

Will Porsche perform the replacement work FOC for all 2010/11 Turbos?

Am in the process of buying a 2010/11 turbo at the moment.

Have they issued a recall?

Thanks in advance.

 

[pttk]

It depends on the country, not in all countries Porsche-German responds.
I recommend consulting in the country where you live.
In any case, the repair KIT has a cost of 300 euros.

PTTK

 

[BrotherBear]

Well I’m keen to know in the UK if Porsche are now making the change FOC

 

[732WKX]

Hi
Porsche UK is fixing their design fault free of charge.
I was informed by Porsche and DVSA (Kevin) there is a recall on all 2010/11 Turbo and S 4.8 V8s.
now in effect.
Ironically mine is for sale imminently just had the new Pannoramic roof and electric blind fitted,
stage 2 remap plus quite a few other goodies its good for surprising other road users!!

 

[BrotherBear]

Thanks for the response ???? Happy new year


glad to head they will sort the issue free of charge