JMMB & Zelig,

Since you guys already have the cars, I would probably not give it back until the parts arrive. I still don't have a firm response from Porsche as to the delivery of the seats. I spoke with several reps and initially it was suppose to be 2-3 weeks from the issuance of the recall (October 9th) but when I spoke with PCNA two days ago they said they don't have a timeline now. That's when one rep told me it could be 6-8 weeks as the seats need to be made, sent over to Germany and then resent to each dealer.

I'm surprised that you guys just got notified. It was issued on Transport Canada's website on October 9. Porsche should have notified you guys earlier. In my case, I had to tell my dealer. They were prepping the car for delivery but halted once I told them about the recall. They would have probably caught it during the PDI process though.

 

Zelig,

I'm not sure about the color matching process but you should ensure it's to your total satisfaction. My seats are the standard 14 way in black which would be more common to match.

 

There aren't the most positive answers, thats for sure. My interior is carrera red, that will probably be a nightmare to match.

 

You have made some great points. I just would rather see them fix the seat than replace it. It is even more upsetting now that I now it took them a couple of weeks to notify me on a safety issue. My wife and I took a car trip this weekend.

 

JMMB,

Did your dealer offer a loaner car at least? Sorry to hear about the natural red leather. Perhaps, they can just switch the wiring harness. From my understanding, cars at the port were fixed by replacing the wiring harness. Cars at the dealers and with customers will get new seats, as this is the most economical and quickest way. Porsche doesn't want to send out factory technicians from Germany from each dealership. Perhaps, you can negotiate something from PCNA and/or your dealer. I wonder if the dealers negotiated anything from PAG as this would delay their inventory for sale.

 

The dealer said getting a loaner car wouldn't be an issue. However, I will wait to bring the car in when the seat is ready. I just got off the phone again with PCNA and they said that they have each vin # of the vehicles and are making sure that the leather is the same quality and shall match perfectly.

 

Does this affect only the 18-way adaptive seats or also the 14-way non-adaptive?

 

Sanibelspeed,

My seats were the 14 way adjustable sports with premium package plus. I think it has to do with the particular VIN range rather that the type of seats. It was the wiring harness in the seat that was the affected component.

 

I spoke to PCNA again. They said 35 cars were affected. I think that meant got out into circulation. I don't want a new seat, I want the remedy that they are doing for the port cars so I can be sure the color will match my interior. If it is not from the same dye lot, it wont match exactly. I am not far from Port Newark and they should be able to work something out to fix my seat instead of putting a new one in. It is part of the cost of doing business and a reasonable request considering that they are fixing cars at port not replacing the seats.

 

Zelig,

I totally agree with you and want the same for my car. I'd rather have the wiring harness replace than a whole new seat. However, mine's the standard black seat so it's not like yours where the dye has to match. Based on conversations with PCNA and my dealer, they said they can only do what the service recall says. Do you know if the porsche technicians fixed the cars at Port Newark already. If not, you should demand to have your car fixed along with the others there.

 

I understand why you feel this way. Here's something to consider:

If PCNA refuses to fix the wiring harness you could make it incumbent on them to either match the seat perfectly (to your satisfaction) or replace both seats. At least that way the seats would match. I'm just concerned you're going to end up in a huge pissing match and the car won't be the way you want it.

And I'd keep squeaking every chance I got in your shoes.

 

Even if they replaced both my seats, since I have full leather interior it might not match the dash and side panels. If PCNA can prove the seat was from the same dye lot or batch of leather I would consider that fix (unlikely). Otherwise, I want a harness replacement. Dark colors are the hardest to match. Black paint is the worst to match in body work. Recaro is paying for the fix and their subcontractor is trying to make this less labor intensive for them.

Port Newark is 45 minutes from my home, the dealer is 30 minutes. JMMB 911, you may be close too. PCNA owns the issue and needs to make us whole. My family rode in the defective seats for 14 days after PCNA knew about them. Thank God nothing happened. My Bermester amp is also defective and the car is already going in for the second time in three weeks.

I am not a happy camper.

 

Zelig,

I concur with you. Porsche should have called you sooner given the recall was issued 2 weeks ago. That's not acceptable given this safety recall. Has your dealer been helpful throughout this process? My dealer doesn't have any new information other than the recall notice. They were suppose to call me yesterday but haven't. I suspect they don't have any new information. I'll keep you posted if I hear anything. I'm expecting a call from PCNA later this week for an update. You mentioned darker colors are harder to match. Do you think the black seats are hard to match? I have no experience with this. I've never had this happen to any of the cars I've own. Wasn't expecting this given the cost of these cars. Where's the quality control????

 

I'm extremely upset about this, I've had my car for 3 weeks and heard nothing about it. I've given a lot of my family and friends a ride and had no idea about the situation. I love the car and its by far the best car i've ever owned/driven, but something has to be done asap. If the dye doesn't end up matching the interior, I will have a fit. I'm a very young owner and $140k car should not have these issues.

 

Ray78,

My dealer didn't know anything about it but said he was going to find out. My experience is not that extensive but good body shop guys have always told me dark colors and of them black are the hardest to match.

Mistakes happen but I don't understand why they want to fix car seat electricals at the port but not let the dealers do it the same way. Dealers must put new seats in. It must boil down to the way Recaro or their subcontractor is resourcing this "fix". They either don't have enough German techs or want the dealers to repair them (odd).