Transmission Recall

Well guys, they got me! I was lurking on another board when I read the information about the transmission recall Porsche has ordered for our beloved C4S, Boxster S and some 996 6-speeds. I just got off of the phone with my Service Advisor and he checked the list and I'm on it. After 1132 miles my transmission seems OK, although this morning I noticed that the shift from 1st to 2nd was a little clunky no matter how or when I shifted. Anyway, the Service Advisor ordered the new transmission and will let me know when it arrives. I guess I'll have to go through this break in stuff all over again! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Better now than when it's REALY broken!! I don't think you have to go through the 2k mile break-in for a new tranny. I'd probably just make sure I go up and down those 6 speeds frequently the first several hundred miles. That should be more than enough. Good luck!

Palting, Thanks for the encouragement. I am also glad that I'm taking "Merlot" in on my own terms rather than limping into the dealership broken. That was why I called the Service Advisor as soon as I realized that the recall campaign was real, rather than waiting for my letter to come in the mail. So far, everything about this car (other than the funky shifting) has been great. I'm really glad to know that the shifting issue wasn't me not knowing how to drive. I drive my 5sp Jeeps all of the time and never have any problems! I'll keep everyone posted on the progress and hope it remains as positive as it is!

I have a C4S with June 12 completion date. Have'nt heard from my dealer, is that date close to the ones being recalled?

Coop, It is mainly May and June builds, but they are also taking into consideration other Porsche owners who are reporting transmission difficulties. You can call your Service Advisor and find out if your VIN is on the list. The dealers were notified on Thursday 9/12 and customer letters started going in the mail on Monday 9/16.

Just talked to my dealer and my VIN is not on the list for transmission recall. (June 12 build) My wife and I are leaving for a 3 week vacation in Europe on Sunday, we will be touring the Porsche factory on Tuesday, I will kick the QC managers *** on your behalf.

I called my dealer to find out if I'm affected and they told me I had to bring the car in to their shop to determine if the transmission was "on the list". I noticed several of you saying that you called and they could tell from the vin number. What's the story here?

Hank, Same over here. My dealer told me that there is no list (BS?) and that they would check mine to see if it is necessary. Don't know the reason for the run-around but mine is going in next Wednesday. I also mentioned that my brakes are screeching and they said to give it time to wear in. Is this reasonable? Regards, Dan

I got a notification by mail from Porsche USA. Did anyone else get this?

Hi Hsummy and targaman: I think your dealers are wrong about the list. I called the my dealer in Burlingame, CA with my VIN # and the tech advisor said my VIN # was not on the list. But bring in the car so we can check out why I am having trouble shifting from 1st to 2nd (I have been complaining since Jan 02) But, at the same time, another tech advisor in the same dealer told me there was NO such thing as a '03 factory sport exhaust with a dash on/off switch. He double checked with the parts manager and the GM for any Porsche tech bulletin. He said Nothing!! Go Figure So I printed the forum thread showing the image of the dash on/off switch and the entire post so that I could education our beloved "factory trained professional" tech advisor/dealer. <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> bocky '02 Carrera C2 coupe

I just got back from the shop and there is a list with transmission serial numbers on it. I know this because I was in the shop with the technition as he wrote down my trany's number and looked it up in his book. My C2 996 Cab, May build, is also having the issue of slipping out of second gear when cold and going down a hill and while not accelerating. Sonnen, the dealer, told me they had another C2 02 996 with the same problem and Porsche told them to order a new gear box and replaced it under warrantee. He is calling Porsche about mine now so I'll let you know.

Well it's going to be interesting seeing how Porsche handles this recall. A few years ago, when Lexus had a major recall like this, they bent over backwards taking care of their customers. I know a P-car is not a Lexus (thank goodness), but I would expect better treatment from the dealers than some of you have mentioned. There is a list of affected serial numbers. Porsche has sent out letters to owners of the affected vehicles (I got mine Monday). My letter was chewed up in the mail, so thankfully I already knew what was going on and what the procedure was for followup. My transmission has not yet arrrived so no new news to report there. Hang in there fellow manual owners-our cars will be perfect again before long!

i dont understand what all the panic is about with the gearbox recall,there is a list of possibly affected cars,they have to be checked by the dealer for the gearbox number and an additional mark on the side of the box.if the number is in the range and the second mark is missing,the box is changed,it is that simple.

Can someone tell me what part of the tranny that caused the recall? Has PAG stated what was wrong and would the new trannys be free of said problems? Regards. Mike

Hi Hank and Dan: Just got back from the dealer today, and personally saw the "Campaign Bulletin" dated 9/12/02 12 pages total of information and VIN #s of the affected 996s. Then there was another CB for the Boxsters. Hope this helps you to convince your dealer <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> , or just ask your dealer to call Rector Porsche service department in Burlingame, CA I am sure they would be happy to fax a copy to your dealer <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" /> 996FLT6: One of the guys on the other 996 forum just had a new tranny put in and he said it is better but "very tight". He did not mention which part was bad. My dealer keep insisting that "it is the syncros" <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" /> Dave P: So far I am getting a lot of lip service from my dealer because my VIN# is not on the list, but I have been complaining about this problem since Jan '02 <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" /> <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> Bocky '02 Carrera C2 coupe

Thanks Bocky, I appreciate your follow up. Regards, Dan

Good news (I think) - called in to the dealer today and he confirmed that I wasn't on the list. However, it seems that nobody's really nailed down the specific issue that this recall is addressing. There have been some posts on popping out of gear in second, some on not going into any gears, and some posts about a clunky shift from 1st to 2nd. Each of these would point to a different mechanical area. I know that my car (02 C4 Cab) has a fairly clunky 1st to 2nd shift that smooths out as it gets warmer. On the other hand, all the gears seem pretty clunky compared to the E36 M3 that I had. So, can someone who's actually gotten a letter or seen the TSB tell us what the recall addresses? thanks, Jack

CarreraJack: The recall, as I understand it from the service advisors, involves the tranny have grinding or clunking noises from 1st to 2nd, but in addition, the tranny pops out of 2nd gear on it own, so those of us whose VIN # are not on the list, will need to convince the dealer and factory rep that it is not normal and needs to be replaced. Your clunky noise is similar to many of us who have been complaining to the dealers. <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" /> I would take your car in and have them analysis the noise, but most important have them document it on your service record, so in the future when there is a major problem they can't deny it. The hard part is, will your car duplicate the problems when it is in the hand of the service advisor ? Our wouldn't, so they think we are just exaggerating the whole thing. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> Bocky '02 Carrera C2 coupe <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" />

CarreraJack What Porsche tells us in their recall campaign is that the first and second gear sleeves may have been damaged during manufacturing and installed in the manual transmission of affected 911 and Boxter S vehicles. As a result, it is possible that the guide sleeves will break while in use. This may lead to drivers being unable to change gear or possibly to the vehicle breaking down. In order to avoid an occurence, the transmission has to be replaced on vehicles involved

My Mar. built '02 Targa is not that smooth in 1st & 2nd gears. It's not on the recall list. My dealer said they've checked it & it's OK. I picked up a MY02 Mini Cooper S 10 days ago & its Getrog 6-sp. tranny shifts a lot smoother than the Targa. Can't believe it. '02 Targa '02 Mini Cooper S '01 BMW X5

Thanks for the replies. This helps quite a bit. Mine's a Mar 02 build as well. I'm thinking that this clunkiness is a "feature" of the Porsche tranny. I'm also thinking that guide sleeve problems would feel different than clunky - more grindy (is grindy a word??). The tranny I had previously in the E36 M3 was the 5-speed Getrag. I agree w/ the previous post. It's shifting feel is "silkier" than the Porsche.

Just thought I'd update anyone listening on the outcome of my dealership experience. I do not need a new transmission! Apparently, the transmissions with the faulty synchros have a black dot on them or some other identification. The dealer had to put it on the hoist to look at it and determine if mine needed replacing. Nope! While it was at the dealership I had them fix a couple of small issues (seat adjustment lever flew off, etc.) I am very pleased with the way everything was handled and after 1322 miles I remain one extremely HAPPY and SATISFIED owner! <img src="graemlins/r.gif" border="0" alt="[king]" />

Good to hear, Dave. But what happened to the transmission that was ordered for you?

Dave, I haven't been following your woes re transmission, but are you are saying they are saying the faulty transmissions had black dots on them, then someone had to know they were bad in order to put black dots on them! Where is my logic going wrong here? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Hi Don: My best guess is there are certain codes ie: black dots, red dots, green dots, that are placed on the transmission by the person or department that is building the transmission and the black dot guy who was building the black dot transmission must of been a "newbie <img src="graemlins/sleep.gif" border="0" alt="[sleep]" /> " and all of the 1st and 2nd gears were installed incorrectly. So that is why we are having those problems. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> Like the inspection tags # we get in our pants pockets. I would never think that Porsche would knowingly and purposely place defective transmission on their car, if it is uncovered, that would be way too much liablilities and lawsuits. bocky '02 Carrera C2 coupe <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

You're right...that makes sense! Guess I didn't have my thinking cap on 'cause that's how we identified who made what when we ran our business in Seattle! DUH! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> Anyway, I guess Mr. Black Dot may be having some employment or disciplinary problems at this point. Maybe he'll go over and work for the Bemz folks....or maybe he came from there. I hope you get your transmission problems ironed out!

<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> You guys are too funny!

Somehow, I know I was going to get a response like yours as I was typing it in Don! Anyway, the transmission that was ordered for me was denied to the dealer until they performed the required inspection. From what I understand, there are a number of transmissions in the Porsche Parts warehouses awaiting shipment to owners with faulty trannies. My vin number was among the last models that potentially had the poorly manufacturered parts in it and the inspection verified that I got the "good" parts rather than the "bad" parts!

Mine was checked this am. Came up clean, not on the list. She only slipped out of second once during the breakin....not in 3K miles since. So I may not actually have the problem. Prob was user error. The shop manager said Porsche ramped up tranny production ahead of the recall and there are actually 546 trannies ready to be distributed to dealers.....should not be much waiting if you need one.

Thought that I would give you guys an update on my gear box issue, you know the one where the car slips out of gear in 2nd. My dealer ordered me an new gearbox and will install when it arrives under warrentee. No hassles or issues.

urbanski: make sure the dealer documents the pop out of 2nd gear in your service file <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" /> , for future reference. I have been told that even after the warranty expires <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> and it is documented as a "previous possible" problem Porsche will honor the warranty on that item. <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> hsummy: Where did you take your car for the tranny service? If it is in the San Francisco Bay Area, who was your service advisor? <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> Thanks, Bocky '02 Carrera C2 coupe

It's in the SF Bay, Sonnen Porsche, and the representative's name is Dan.

Just for the record (in case anyone is still following this thread) I got a recall notice for my April/02 build C4S, no problems at all with the car, they put it on the hoist to check the numbers on the trannie and are putting a new one in on the recall. Actually I see this as pretty good service from Porsche, no hassle.

Zak, They hoisted my June build and found that the new tranny was unnecessary. No problems with the car at all! I think Porsche has handled this pretty well! At least I haven't seen/heard a lot of bitchin'! <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />