[Finerthings]

Does this mean the transfer case is fixed for the 2018 models?

Man, I sure hope that my 2018 Macan S coming in April doesn't have this problem after all the previous years of documentation.

 

[SoCalS5]

... I was washing the car and noticed the front right tire was completely worn out on the outside most tread line. All others tires were fine. 2017 15,000 miles......I ended up paying $950 for two front tires, $250 of that for alignment of all four corners. I still think that specific tire wear was transfer case related. They said no so I had to pay for that...... Front toe in was badly off.....

Sorry to hear all that. I would agree that the tire wear is unrelated to the transfer case issue. However, the wear pattern you observed would not be caused by a bad toe adjustment. It would have to be an issue with the camber. There is no individual camber adjustment for the front wheels. The best that can be done is to shift the entire subframe to split, or center the camber spec between the two front wheels. If the shop had to adjust the subframe to get into spec, then I'd argue it was a problem from the factory and should have been covered by warranty.

Another possibility is that there is a bad bushing or some other component issue contributing to poor tread life on the one tire. There have been two reported cases here of bushing defects from the factory (see thread links below). Hopefully, the dealership would catch something like that, but don't count on it...as that apparently didn't happen in the previous cases. Perhaps consider contacting Porsche NA if you find something amiss, or decide to challenge the dealership on the issue.
Best of luck with your path forward.

http://www.macanforum.com/forum/complaints/146418-suspension-issue-pics.html#post2184818

http://www.macanforum.com/forum/wheels-tires-suspension/153786-lower-control-arm-issues.html

 

[BRMACANGTS]

Are most of these earlier cars, or does the problem persist for the later ones too?

Mine is a 2017 GTS so not an early version

 

[gradyex]

Well, at 11,500 miles this issue might be whats going on with my 2017 GTS Macan. Never felt this before until 2 weeks ago. I have to mention that my car will be 2 years old in April with ZERO complaints or issues (until now). Once the car is warmed up (doesn't happen when its cold) I get a shuttering/binding sound in the rear of the car when I put it in reverse. This happens in parking lots, areas that require you to turn your front wheels all the way to the right or left. If it shutters in reverse it will shutter a little in forward gear right afterward, but briefly, then it goes away. Taking it in to dealership soon. Hopefully I can duplicate the issue. As long as Porsche fixes this I am still very happy with my purchase!! Forgot to mention that I have PTV if that makes a difference?

 

[red67]

^^^FYI, mine was doing the same thing. Because of this thread, I told him it was the transfer case.
They agreed and I got a new transfer case, but the symptoms did not go away. Reinspecting the vehicle after the new transfer case was installed it was determined that the flex pipes in the exhaust system were causing the noise and vibration. They switched out to the older design flex pipes, the vibration and noise was gone. So before they change your transfer case, have them check those flex pipes in the exhaust system they are the first pipe coming off the exhaust headers.
I can't believe they don't have a diagnostic test to assess the condition of the transfer case.
And he said the flex pipe problem is so common that they stock those pipes. You think he would've found that before they changed my transfer case. Oh well now I have a new transfer case and new pipes.
Anyone else have this experience?

 

[bobblehead]

Good that it’s now resolved

 

[Shark]

Red67, how would you describe the noise/ vibration? I'm thinking my car may have the same thing. It's not loud, but I hear it when the transmission is in park and the engine is idling. Seems to be most noticeable if the engine (and therefore the exhaust system) is not fully warmed, and I'm thinking perhaps the exhaust system components don't fit together quite as designed as they would at full operating temperature.

But then I will occasionally hear it after the engine is warmed up too. Does sound like a rattling exhaust system to my rather untrained ear.

When I was changing my oil I took a good look underneath and did not see any signs of damage such as the cracked brackets that others have mentioned.

 

[Louie Zoi]

Once the car is warmed up (doesn't happen when its cold) I get a shuttering/binding sound in the rear of the car when I put it in reverse.

Gradyex, the momentary but very noticeable "sticking" while reversing out of a parking spot is exactly what sent me to the dealership for diagnosis and replacement. Good luck; it should be a quick service now.

By way of follow-up, 15K miles after my replacement, I'm feeling the occasional soft flutters of what might be the early stages of another TC development, but I'll wait until/unless I get the reversing issue before I do anything with it. @Restor8 , what did they say about your new transfer case given that it was being replaced near the end of the 50K miles warranty period?

 

[Macanakey]

Gradyex, the momentary but very noticeable "sticking" while reversing out of a parking spot is exactly what sent me to the dealership for diagnosis and replacement. Good luck; it should be a quick service now.

By way of follow-up, 15K miles after my replacement, I'm feeling the occasional soft flutters of what might be the early stages of another TC development, but I'll wait until/unless I get the reversing issue before I do anything with it. @Restor8 , what did they say about your new transfer case given that it was being replaced near the end of the 50K miles warranty period?

If you're potentially in line for a second transfer case, that doesn't bode well for my desire to keep my Macan long-term. My transfer case was replaced in fall of 2016 with fewer than 5,000 miles on it. Even though my car is my DD, I've got a short commute & don't put very many miles on it. I'd hate to have problems like that again once I'm out of warranty. I may have to look into an extended warranty.

Oh & thanks, OP, for your original typo in the thread title. It makes this thread so much easier to find!

 

[red67]

@Shark,it was more of a shuttering/vibration, when tight parking situations, and also at 1050rpm, as transmission hits it's downshift points it would also shutter/vibrate. Would not feel it in coast mode.
Hope this helps. Now my exhaust tips are crooked, could change in the flex pipes affect the tips? I doubt it, but I can't say remember this before. Sorry for the dirty tips but it is February in Michigan .

 

[gradyex]

Not enough time to peruse all the links that Grim kindly posted above so bumping Lippy’s question to see if any 2017 MY vehicles are having the same issue?

I have a 2017 Macan GTS. I have the issue with only 11500 miles. Taking it to dealer in 2 weeks (they are backed up). I hope Porsche redesigned the TC so it doesn't fail so soon. Now I am serious about getting an extended warranty. This is the only issue with the car since new.

 

[Shark]

@Shark ,it was more of a shuttering/vibration, when tight parking situations, and also at 1050rpm, as transmission hits it's downshift points it would also shutter/vibrate. Would not feel it in coast mode.
Hope this helps. Now my exhaust tips are crooked, could change in the flex pipes affect the tips? I doubt it, but I can't say remember this before. Sorry for the dirty tips but it is February in Michigan .

Thanks, perhaps I have the same issue, but my symptoms are definitely different.

 

[bobblehead]

@red67, you just need to ask the dealer to re-align the pipe ... it happened to mine too when I had mine replaced (many times). It an easy job and should take no more than 1 hr.

 

[Jellybean]

Thanks @wspollack, I will give your suggestions and tips a try when I go out and run errands today. My passenger side mirror would tilt up, and the drivers mirror would do nothing. Here's hoping that I can make it work. When all else fails, I will throw on the surround view and that gets me out of trouble.

 

[gradyex]

Gradyex, the momentary but very noticeable "sticking" while reversing out of a parking spot is exactly what sent me to the dealership for diagnosis and replacement. Good luck; it should be a quick service now.



Louie, my appointment is not till March 6th because my dealer is swamped. Today after driving my Macan for 30 minutes I realized that this issue has gotten much worse. I feel it in the forward gears too. Need to schedule something much sooner!

 

[V8R8]

Red67, I had the 1050 rpm vibrations and it was exhaust pipes. Dealer replaced and problem fixed.

@Shark,it was more of a shuttering/vibration, when tight parking situations, and also at 1050rpm, as transmission hits it's downshift points it would also shutter/vibrate. Would not feel it in coast mode.
Hope this helps. Now my exhaust tips are crooked, could change in the flex pipes affect the tips? I doubt it, but I can't say remember this before. Sorry for the dirty tips but it is February in Michigan .

 

[jeremyw]

^^^FYI, mine was doing the same thing. Because of this thread, I told him it was the transfer case.
They agreed and I got a new transfer case, but the symptoms did not go away. Reinspecting the vehicle after the new transfer case was installed it was determined that the flex pipes in the exhaust system were causing the noise and vibration. They switched out to the older design flex pipes, the vibration and noise was gone. So before they change your transfer case, have them check those flex pipes in the exhaust system they are the first pipe coming off the exhaust headers.
I can't believe they don't have a diagnostic test to assess the condition of the transfer case.
And he said the flex pipe problem is so common that they stock those pipes. You think he would've found that before they changed my transfer case. Oh well now I have a new transfer case and new pipes.
Anyone else have this experience?

The backdated to the old design pipes?
Our '15 Macan Turbo just went in for horrible exhaust rattles (started hearing a light "sheetmetal tin" noise up front under the shifter on decel to a stop....then one day on cold start, the LR muffler started making a horrific metal clanking sound. Tapping on the muffler caused it to change in tone). The dealership found that we needed updated front pipes, and brackets in the back. Resolved easily under warranty and quiet again.
Perhaps these (downpipes w/ integrated flex bellows) are what you're speaking of?

 

[Louie Zoi]

If you're potentially in line for a second transfer case, that doesn't bode well for my desire to keep my Macan long-term. ... I may have to look into an extended warranty.

Not to worry, @Macanakey, I'm still not sure if that's what I'm feeling. And, if it is, I'll keep the Forum updated; I really like this car and intend to keep it. I'll be looking into an extended warranty, as well. Must be a thread on that around here somewhere ...

Actually, I keep receiving offers from my dealership to trade in my car and "upgrade" to a 2018. Is anyone else getting a similar bombardment? I'm debating whether this is a) standard practice; b) a flattering acknowledgment of how nicely I've kept the car; c) a way to forestall my losing another transfer case; d) a nice way to pad the dealership's bottom line; or e) options a and d are both true. Probably E!!

 

[gradyex]

Gradyex, the momentary but very noticeable "sticking" while reversing out of a parking spot is exactly what sent me to the dealership for diagnosis and replacement. Good luck; it should be a quick service now.



Louie, my appointment is not till March 6th because my dealer is swamped. Today after driving my Macan for 30 minutes I realized that this issue has gotten much worse. I feel it in the forward gears too. Need to schedule something much sooner!

Ended up taking my Macan GTS to dealership today for repairing the drivetrain. They are taking care of the issue and customer service so far has been excellent. Got a loaner. Its a base Cayenne with only 700 miles on it. Has the 3.6 liter V8 with 300 hp. Didn't realize how different the Macan and Cayenne are to drive. One is a sporty Crossover and the other is, well, a sporty SUV.

 

[gradyex]

Update: Bad Transfer Case. Part will be in tomorrow morning and will be installed same day. Supposed to be the updated one (the part number is different). Pretty painless. After driving the loaner base Cayenne more, I can see why Porsche is so good at marketing. Each model has its good points. Must say the 14 way seats are very comfortable and I absolutely love Rhodium Silver Metallic on the Cayenne.