Cayenne Vibration (Very Long)

[Pcar Squared]

I appreciate your time and consideration of this matter.

Background:

We picked up our c-s in November; it has in and out of the service department numerous times; though the first appointment was within the first 15 days of ownership; the problem: a horrid front end vibration (it would have gone in sooner but the dealer was moving its service department).

I want to state upfront that besides for the defect that causes vibration in our Cayenne S it is an awesome truck! This is not a case of buyers remorse and I would take a vibration free Cayenne in a heart beat! In hindsight I wish that I would have made sure that I test drove our actual unit. In our case this defect was noticeable from day one (the first time I drove my Cayenne-S I was the owner, our test drive was in a demo). Lesson learned the hard way.

The easiest way to describe this vibration is to think of the worst morning flat spots that you have ever had, well the vibration is the same, but with the difference of having warm tires! I have also found that road surface, material, and road crown makes no difference

The vibration starts as low as 50 and comes goes through the 75 mph. The vibration tends to be worse with just slight pressure on the steering wheel (but not enough pressure to change lanes, just enough to take the "slack" out of the wheel).

Another interesting point is that the vibration also happens in Neutral. My Cardan shaft has been checked and is outside the serial number range of being mis-weighted or not aligned.

In regard to the vibration while in neutral: This test is done (un-scientifically) in the following manner: I accelerate to say 90-95 mph and shift into neutral; as the Cayenne S slows the vibration is noticed at different speeds. Once the speed drops the vibration comes and goes, as a consistent speed is no possible due to the nature of the test.

For the first few visits to the purchasing dealers service department they chased wheel balance and alignment.

The first set of tires was worn at 6,500 miles (and replaced) the new set is showing the same wear. Our Cayenne has the joy of making all of 6 turns a day 95% of the driving that is done on my commute is in one straight line.

Changing the tires on the Cayenne S resolved nothing as the Cayenne S still vibrates like a banshee, alignment has been adjusted to new specifications during multiple service calls, and now with 14k (total vehicle miles) the new tires are worn again (the first set of tires were Continentals these are Scorpions STR).

I was able to have a second dealer evaluated the Cayenne S, I was very up front with them about the problem as well as the PCNA's finding, including the "characteristic" letter.

Prior to attempting a repair they discussed the situation with the regional rep (who has never driven the C-S but is able to determine that the vibration is characteristic, after almost 2 months of waiting on a decision utilizing 1-800-Porsche and the customer advocate route) he also agreed that a second set of eyes might be worth while.

I drove with the second dealers Senior Most Technician (with over 20 years of P-Car experience), who saw the same vibration that I did, and was concerned that things “were not right”. After another salvo of “Hunter Road Force Balancing” and alignment the Cayenne S was returned a number of days later without resolution.

Two points of this service call are very interesting to me as the owner. The second dealer worked on the C-S for a number of days, I called one evening for an update and they had yet locate let alone solve the problem but they were thinking it was related to the suspension (steel not air) as tires, wheels and alignment had been already evaluated and set to "manufactures specifications".

Early the next day the work was done everyone, at the dealership had signed off on the car. I thanked them for their help. After a very short test drive it was obvious that the issue had not been resolved.

In retrospect it appears that some communication was had with PCNA and as a result the work was stopped, the second interesting item was that they temporarily took the wheels and tires off a Cayenne S as a test (I have my tires and wheels) they had in inventory and the vibration was reproduced (now who is to say that one of the wheels was not out of round or balance) but still very peculiar.

In a letter addressed in April of 2004 PCNA stated that a vibration is a characteristic of the Cayenne details of the letter can be found at www.cayennevibrations.com or www.vibratingcayenne.com please note that both of these sites are in a beta form and have not been publicly launched.

At this point in time tow of NJ’s best Porsche dealers have struck out attempting to resolve this defect. At this juncture and having received the letter I briefly spoke with the PCNA regional manager; it was determined that I should personally ride with the shop foreman of the first dealer (the purchasing dealer) to demonstrate the vibration that was supposedly resolved by dealer number 2’s service appointment.

Due to unplanned personal events it took a few months to schedule this appointment with the shop foreman. An appointment was scheduled for July 13, 2004 with my dealer and the shop foreman. I was hopeful that this appointment would resolve the issue once and for all, up until this point both dealers have bent over backward, but I truly believe that they are out of ideas.

I met with the Shop Foreman and the Director of Service representing the Dealership Group that I bought my Cayenne S from as planned previously. The meeting was as productive as I initially expected.

The Shop Foreman drove the Cayenne and confirmed the vibration. It was also stated that they would not be able to "repair" the vehicle to eliminate vibration that it exhibits. Thus the reason why PCNA claims vibration is a characteristic. I also inferred from this statement that this defect is a known defect and very widespread.

After the drive, I met with to the Service Director and questioned: if this vibration is characteristic then one would expect that all Cayenne’s would have it and the characteristic should be repeatable? And we as Cayenne owners know this is not the case. Please note that two “master technicians” both drove the Cayenne and confirmed the vibration. As this is not the case of an owner thinking that an SUV should ride like a Maybach.

It became quite apparent to me during the 30 minutes or so we met regarding this case that the dealer group is also frustrated by this matter and that dissatisfied customers are coming forward with some regularity complaining about this defect, the dealer group escalates to PCNA and it appears that no action is taken. Interestingly enough the Service Director stated that the Cayenne that he drives also vibrates in this same manner.

The PCNA regional rep for my area is out of the country until 26-Jul-04. The dealer group once again escalated issue to PCNA for resolution. I commented that the last time this issue was escalated to PCNA, the regional representative did not even drive the car in question. I questioned if it was going to be "worth their time" the second time around, I was advised that having the Regional Representative drive my car would not be a productive use of my time as my Cayenne S vibrates in the same manner that each defective Cayenne vibrates.

I expressed to the Service Director that there are many owners that have the same issue that I, and they as well are very disappointed by PCNA's response. It did not appear that I was the first customer that has met with this dealer group over this issue and I assured them I would not be the last.

I closed the meetings stating that I am a loyal P-Car owner (2 cars in the last 9 months) and I have been very brand loyal. I also stated that the enthusiast community is preparing to mobilize and that I personally was not intimidated by litigation process given the detailed records I have of this issue. I also expressed that litigation is my last resort, and I am not looking forward to the process and or destroying my relationship with all parties involved.

I agreed to give PCNA until 8/13/2004 to resolve this issue once and for all, in the event that this issue has not been resolved the litigation process will move forward.

In my home state I am required to send the manufacture a letter stating my intention to file a lemon law complaint, and allow the manufacture one last attempt at fixing the defect. This letter has been drafted and will be sent certified and register mail shortly. The time period allowed for this final attempt roughly equates to the time that I have allowed PCNA to resolve this issue.

As I stated before I am not looking to end this issue in the legal system, though I am not fearful of doing so if no resolution can be had.

[kr3131]

Well, I just read your post and there is not much I could add to it given my experience to date with my CS and local dealer. While my dealer has tried in my opinion, they are noticably frustrated that I am not happy, I think they are frustrated with Porsche and really do not know where to go from here. I have gone thru all of the alignment, road force balancing, two new front tires, now four new tires, with 10K miles on original Conoids. They pulled 4 Perelli's off Cayenne on lot, put them on my car and I drove. Ride for the most part was smooth. I told them that if I did not accept this as a fix I would really be out of line. They then contacted Porsche, ordered four new Perelli tires and when I picked up the car on Friday to leave town, same issue. Tech stood there and said, "I am not happy with them, if the 05'sa do not have this issue, you need to trade this car in". So, could it be the rims with the new tires that I need. Who the #@#@# knows. I love this car except for this horrible vibration and shimmy (55-78 mph). I have about had it and have no intentions of paying more to roll into an `05 that does not have this problem. This really stinks. :help:

[tatomiami]

Hello Everyone.

I have the same problem with my Cayenne S, it has now 4000 miles, and has been in service for more than 20 days in four different opportunities(I got it on MAY 25th), they have replaced the steering rack, the tires, and I must say the problem has NOT been resolved.

I filed an arbitration complaint against PCNA where I said that I wanted them to repurchase my car since I am not satisfied with the vehicle, and they have not been able to resolve the problem, the issue is that they say that the problem has been solved and that they do not feel the vibration on my car.

These people argue that the problem was only in my car, that they do not know about it and they say that when they test drove my car they did not feel anything abnormal, only the road.

Of course they wont feel anything if they drive th car only for 2 or 3 miles and then they return the car to me telling me that they were unable to feel anything in the car and they think the car is perfect.

When the represnetative of PCNA came to the arbitration he said tht the car behaves like that because it is the "road feel" and that that makes PORSCHE cars unique. That this is not a Cadillac and instead of treating me as a customer and try to resolve my issue, or to have a satisfied customer that perfecly could buy a 911 or any other car, he went against me and traeted me as some crazy person that do not know what I am talking about.

I think I will file the lemon law, this week, because the arbitration is only BS, these people of National Center for Dispute Settlement are basically paid by them, and they only use them to buy time, and to leave the person frustrated and without energy to continue with the Lemon law process.

There is one more thing.... this problem does nor occur always on my car, I mean, some times I am at 75 MPH and I do not feel it at all, other times if feels realy bad as if the car is going to break apart. There are days that I do not feel the vibration at all, and other days where I even feel it at 45. Is this the same you experience??

Please, I am starting the arbitration with the State of Florida, if you have any literature, or know of others that have claimed the LEMON LAW for their cayennes, and what they did, please let me know because I am tired of them trying to fool me around.

Thank you

SF :rolleyes:

[loserondacruisecontrol]

It is the stepper motor. Touaregs have the same problems.

[wvicary]

Any more information for those of us that have no idea what a stepper motor is or what it does?

[mudman2]

Any more information for those of us that have no idea what a stepper motor is or what it does?

We all had this in some form back then. The main cause was that dealers did not know how to set them up. Many came from the plant with bad alignment, bad cardan shafts and poorly mounted tires.

After the dealers got the hang of things this mostly disappeared.

The main cause IMHO was the need for road force balancing on a Hunter machine. Mine has been solid since then but I make sure the dealer fits the tires.

[tommyholiday]

i beleave this problem is caused by a worn out cardon shaft. it retails for around $950.00CDN. , and it wouldnt be a bad idea to replace the six bolts aswell. if u do not have access to a hoist, this job will be tough. exaust needs to be lowered to replace the shaft. alignment tool is recommended but not needed. PEACE

[nc35]

Any more information for those of us that have no idea what a stepper motor is or what it does?

We all had this in some form back then. The main cause was that dealers did not know how to set them up. Many came from the plant with bad alignment, bad cardan shafts and poorly mounted tires.

After the dealers got the hang of things this mostly disappeared.

The main cause IMHO was the need for road force balancing on a Hunter machine. Mine has been solid since then but I make sure the dealer fits the tires.

Sorry all, but I still don't understand what the stepper motor is... Even more in the dark after the above post :D :D

Anyone want to help out in "idiot" language????