So my experience with Porsche has been less then satisfactory. My brand new 991 was delivered this morning and low and behold the entire PCM system is shot. The car was bought at a large volume dealer in the Midwest. I immediately brought the car to my local dealership, which is Porsche of Fairfield and they are certain that it is a hardware issue with the PCM. Absolutely unacceptable. To add insult to injury, before Porsche will okay a new PCM system they need to run a full day of diagnostics, even though the service manager and the head foreman are 100% certain this is a hardware issue. To make it even worse they can't give me a loaner. So therefore I'm driving a brand new car with no electronics. I've been on the phone with Porsche of America all afternoon and nothing seems to be getting done. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER. I would expect more from a Hyundai.
Any advice would be appreciated

 

Hang in there, man. I absolutely realize that it's a crappy situation and Porsche may not be doing all that they can. But, you just took delivery and, chances are, the full system will be replaced and/or reset, and you'll be back in a brand-new 911 in no time.

What exactly was the issue with PCM?

 

Sorry for your troubles. I'm sure the dealer has to follow protocol to get the PCM replaced. BUT NO LOANER you have to fight this one. I even get one when I have my oil changed.

 

So when we got in the car the PCM screen was black. It kept on saying loading map and then the Porsche emblem would appear for about 5 seconds and the whole system would reset. I figured it was probably just a software issue but they tried three times to reset it at the dealership and update the software. The system would not take the upgrades and now its simply an error type message on the screen that resets every 15 or so seconds. None of the PCM functions work. No nav/reg radio/satellite radio/Bluetooth. The car does drive like a dream, but when you spend six figures on a car you expect everything to work perfectly. just bummed. Last night I was like a little kid on Christmas eve. Was looking so forward to this and the experience was ruined. I just hope Porsche rights this quickly.

 

First, sorry to hear of your trouble! Second, I really don't think that anyone on this board can offer any substantive help - other than commiserate, compare horror stories, and so on.

So the first question that comes to my mind -- Why did you take delivery of a new car that isn't working properly? Did you not find out about the PCM being "shot" until after you left the dealership? Even if you bought the car somewhere else and had it shipped to you did you not think that you or someone should have performed an inspection? The way you describe it, you bought an expensive '15 car sight-unseen, shipped it partway across the country to your address (not a Porsche-to-Porsche dealer delivery), signed all the paperwork receiving the car from shipping co., and then find out it doesn't work? The only advice I can give on that note is to not do that again! Sorry.

But there are a number of other things you state that beg question:

1. Why is the hardware issue with PCM unacceptable (yeah yeah, I get it that this shouldn't happen on an expensive car, blah blah blah) when it is covered under warranty? Brand new car, right? Porsche has to make good, or it is a lemon. You aren't even past the first 30 days let alone 1 day!

2. What is the reason Fairfield gave you for no loner? None available, or they just don't give loaners to owners who didn't buy from them?

3. Why would you drive a car with no electronics? Leave it at the dealer, let them be reminded of a failed customer relationship. Looks like you have at least 2 other nice rides to fill the void...

4. What does the dealer you bought the car from say about all this?

Please don't mistake the above for criticizing you, or being harsh. But really, I don't understand in this day and age how we get ourselves into this position -- This being a new car, it should have gone through the delivery inspection, etc. And maybe even have a friend or someone from this board (I've done this for buyers on opposite coasts!) visit the car prior to shipping and inspect. I know, this is all too late in your case....

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

So the car came from Ohio and we did a walk around at delivery. The exterior was prefect. The car started up right away and everything seemed good to go. I had a video appointment later today with the delivery specialist at which time we were suppose to go over all the features. Of course that never happened. I guess it was my bad that I took delivery without going through all the electronics but I really never expected there to be such a major problem.


Fairfield states that they don't have any loaners and won't until Tuesday. I know I didn't buy the car from them but the car was bought from a Penske dealership and Fairfield is also owned by Roger. As far as I'm concerned, if they truly can't get me a loaner, they should pull a CPO car for me until this is fixed.


This 911 is a necessity not a luxury. The 550i was traded in for the Porsche and the other cars are past rides. I plan on getting a third car for the winter but right now I need it. My wife and I have a three month old so I can't leave her without a car, and I'm a doctor with crazy days that consist of three to four different stops including two hospital, a surgical center and at least one of office. Therefore I have no choice but to drive the current car.




Ill keep you all posted

 

UPDATE:


Porsche just got back to me. If Fairfield can't provide me with a loaner they will rent me a car. They also stated the PCM hardware is available and my car should be back to brand new by Friday