Potential problem with Porsche CPO warranty

Recently, I posted in the alt.autos.porsche.911 newsgroup regarding an issue
I have been experiencing with my
'02 996 TT. Specifically, it "pops" out of second gear while
de-accelerating unless I keep light pressure on the gearshift with my hand.

Now, I may have a problem getting it fixed.

Background info:

I purchased this car from a reputable Porsche dealership about a year and a
half ago. It had 18,200 miles on it and was being sold as a "Certified
PreOwned Vehicle" under the Porsche CPO program. The CPO warranty was for
two years from date of purchase.

Within a day or two, I noticed the second gear issue. I also noticed a
minor problem with the CD player (only plays out of the left side speakers).

During a follow-up visit to the dealership, I mentioned these issues to the
salesman from whom I bought the car and I asked him if they were covered
under the CPO warranty. He indicated yes, and also checked with an
associate who agreed. I was told to make an appointment at my convenience
and their tech would take care of it. (He suggested it was "probably" a
minor cable adjustment).

He also told me that he had noticed the "pop" out problem also, either the
day before or the morning of the day I took delivery.
He had driven the car briefly .... I believe it was to put gas in it .....
just before I picked it up and he recalled the transmission popping out of
second gear as I described.

I waited until the car was otherwise due for service, but before the
warranty expired. The car runs fine and the "pop out" issue is more of a
nuisance than a major problem. I have only put 2000 miles on the car since
I took delivery and store it during the winter months.

10 days ago I brought it to the dealership for the annual service and also
to address the second gear issue and the minor problem with the CD player.
I received a phone call a couple of days later. Seems the CD player was not
covered under warranty, but the second gear issue *was* covered according to
the service manager. Unfortunately, it was not a simple cable adjustment
however. The fix involves removing the transmission and replacing a gear.
(I assume this is the 2nd gear syncro gear). The service manager indicated
the work would take about a week and wanted to know if they should proceed,
or did I have plans for the car. I asked them to go ahead and repair it.

Today, I was told that the dealership and Porsche are "fighting" over the
warranty coverage. Seems that if they (Porsche) determines the failure is
due to a design or workmanship issue, it's covered. If they determine it's
due to abuse, it's not. There's also a question as to parts availability.
Apparently in the past this problem (not totally uncommon, I've discovered)
was resolved by replacing the entire transmission. I was told that they
later authorized replacing the failed parts only. But, meanwhile, my car
sits and there's a question as to if the repair will be done under warranty
or not.

My position is this.

I bought the car with 18,200 miles on it. It was advertised and purchased
as a Porsche approved CPO vehicle. It's supposed to be 100% checked out and
free of any major problems. I can accept the CD player issue. But not the
transmission problem.

The problem with the transmission existed before I took delivery. The
salesman acknowledged that it happened to him when he drove it just prior to
me picking it up.

I think Porsche should belly up and fix it.

I asked about "worst case" if they refused. It could be a $10,000 "fix" ...
out of my pocket.

Interested in opinions/recommendations or any input from officials at
Porsche.

Richard Eriksson

No question: Porsche should anti-up for both the CD and the transmission
repair/replacement. I also purchased a '01, 996 Cab, with 25k mi and a CPO
warranty. The only $$ I spent was for a new clutch...and we had a long
discussion about clutches wearing out around 33K mi. I purchased an
aftermarket Sachs clutch kit and the dealer did the labor at a reduced rate.
Otherwise, replacing the radio/CD player was done at N/C, and several other
little issues. No questions.

Proceed professionally, but press the issue with the dealer service manager,
and with PCNA in Atlanta if necessary. Work your way up the chain of
bureaucracy because if you start at the top (President of PCNA) and he says
"NO", you're done for; however, my suspicion is that with a little prodding,
someone will do the right thing. After all, they wouldn't like the "bad
press" that would inevitably follow if they had an unhappy customer.

Go Get 'Em!

"Eisboch" <rce.RemoveThis@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:VMadnUSB4Y1a603anZ2dnUVZ_o-mnZ2d@giganews.com...
> Recently, I posted in the alt.autos.porsche.911 newsgroup regarding an
> issue I have been experiencing with my
> '02 996 TT. Specifically, it "pops" out of second gear while
> de-accelerating unless I keep light pressure on the gearshift with my
> hand.
>
> Now, I may have a problem getting it fixed.
>
> Background info:
>
> I purchased this car from a reputable Porsche dealership about a year and
> a
> half ago. It had 18,200 miles on it and was being sold as a "Certified
> PreOwned Vehicle" under the Porsche CPO program. The CPO warranty was for
> two years from date of purchase.
>
> Within a day or two, I noticed the second gear issue. I also noticed a
> minor problem with the CD player (only plays out of the left side
> speakers).
>
> During a follow-up visit to the dealership, I mentioned these issues to
> the
> salesman from whom I bought the car and I asked him if they were covered
> under the CPO warranty. He indicated yes, and also checked with an
> associate who agreed. I was told to make an appointment at my convenience
> and their tech would take care of it. (He suggested it was "probably" a
> minor cable adjustment).
>
> He also told me that he had noticed the "pop" out problem also, either the
> day before or the morning of the day I took delivery.
> He had driven the car briefly .... I believe it was to put gas in it .....
> just before I picked it up and he recalled the transmission popping out of
> second gear as I described.
>
> I waited until the car was otherwise due for service, but before the
> warranty expired. The car runs fine and the "pop out" issue is more of a
> nuisance than a major problem. I have only put 2000 miles on the car
> since
> I took delivery and store it during the winter months.
>
> 10 days ago I brought it to the dealership for the annual service and also
> to address the second gear issue and the minor problem with the CD player.
> I received a phone call a couple of days later. Seems the CD player was
> not
> covered under warranty, but the second gear issue *was* covered according
> to
> the service manager. Unfortunately, it was not a simple cable adjustment
> however. The fix involves removing the transmission and replacing a gear.
> (I assume this is the 2nd gear syncro gear). The service manager
> indicated
> the work would take about a week and wanted to know if they should
> proceed,
> or did I have plans for the car. I asked them to go ahead and repair it.
>
> Today, I was told that the dealership and Porsche are "fighting" over the
> warranty coverage. Seems that if they (Porsche) determines the failure
> is
> due to a design or workmanship issue, it's covered. If they determine
> it's
> due to abuse, it's not. There's also a question as to parts
> availability.
> Apparently in the past this problem (not totally uncommon, I've
> discovered)
> was resolved by replacing the entire transmission. I was told that they
> later authorized replacing the failed parts only. But, meanwhile, my car
> sits and there's a question as to if the repair will be done under
> warranty
> or not.
>
> My position is this.
>
> I bought the car with 18,200 miles on it. It was advertised and purchased
> as a Porsche approved CPO vehicle. It's supposed to be 100% checked out
> and
> free of any major problems. I can accept the CD player issue. But not
> the
> transmission problem.
>
> The problem with the transmission existed before I took delivery. The
> salesman acknowledged that it happened to him when he drove it just prior
> to
> me picking it up.
>
> I think Porsche should belly up and fix it.
>
> I asked about "worst case" if they refused. It could be a $10,000 "fix"
> ...
> out of my pocket.
>
> Interested in opinions/recommendations or any input from officials at
> Porsche.
>
> Richard Eriksson
>
>