[Korilyn]

Lesson learned.

 

[PeterVV]

There is nothing unusual going on here. On just about any vehicle you will start to see a few transmission failures at 90,000 miles. When you think of how many Macans there are now out on the road, not exactly shocking to see a few transmission failures. It’s like with PCNA told you, ”it happens”.

The transmission on the last Grand Cherokee we owned went out to lunch at 87,000 miles. We went through the same routine. The Jeep dealer quoted us a price on a new transmission that was as much as the value of the car. We called FCA and complained, and their answer was sorry your warranty expired 37,000 miles ago, and we do offer extended warranties.” We ended up having the transmission rebuilt by a reputable transmission shop, costing us $5400.

It is good that the shops you are approaching are saying that you’ve seen this issue before. Would rather have that versus a shop that has no experience. Obviously they are going to be more inclined to tell you that versus admit they have never worked on this particular transmission.

Sure, I can totally understand a transmission shop saying this is a known issue. Bet you the number of Macans have worked on is in the single digits, and they probably remember them well as the Macan is a rather unusual car. What they aren’t familiar with is the vast majority of my Macans that have had no transmission issues, and there’s no reason they would be 😀

 

[DanNYC]

Not shocking that transmission shops have seen this transmission before. Between Porsche and Audi, there are hundreds of thousands of examples out on the road. Of course by now at least a few of them are going to have failed, and the transmission shops are going to be intimately familiar with what typically fails. no different than any other transmission. BTW, Audi was already using these transmissions before Porsche started using them in the Macans.

 

[santastico]

I asked about the transfer case because that is under warranty and was told it's not the issue. I'm not certain an entire replacement is necessary: The Porsche dealer explained that if they replace a module and it turns out that this isn't the issue, then they'll have to replace the transmission, which means pulling out the engine again. So it's not worthwhile for them to try and fix the module and then eventually have to pull out the engine again if that's not the fix.

I just learned from an independent Porsche repair that this IS a known issue on the 2015 Macan. He said he repaired the exact same car a month ago, same year, etc. He said all of the transmissions have been reworked to repair the known issue so when Porsche said they would install a new one, they would actually be installing a transmission that was reworked. The independent Porsche repair said they would do the same work for $13,000 but would offer no warranty on the transmission.

Sorry but your independent Porsche repair shop is mixing apples and oranges. The known issue is the transfer case. That has been reworked by Porsche and it is now covered by them even outside warranty. There is no need to remove engine and it is not a $21k repair. Just search on this Forum and see how many owners of Macan 2015 had to replace the entire transmission. Maybe 1 or 2 or none?

 

[yrralis1]

I've mentioned this before, I think. A neighbor of mine has a Cayman whose PDK failed after it was out of warranty. He purchased it used from a non-Porsche dealer, but has had it for several years now. Our local dealer was able to work a deal with PCA to cover most of the cost of a new PDK for him. He was still out of pocket for something just under $4K, but was willing to pay that, considering the bill would have been around what you're being quoted. I hope that you can get some help from PCA if you push. They might be more gracious if you point out that this isn't your first Porsche.

Good luck & keep us posted.

I said the same thing until I heard 90k miles . It’s not just Porsche either . I know two different Bmw cars where high mileage tends to get cut . I don’t blame him for trying and encourage the effort . I just feel it’s a hard thing to fly with those factors .

 

[yrralis1]

The MSRP of a new transmission (part only, no labor) is nearly $25,000, although often discounted well below $20,000. If you think that's bad, the MSRP of a replacement engine is more than $43,000, although often discounted well below $40,000,

So that gives you an idea of the risk of keeping a Macan out of warranty. On the other hand, there have been very few reports of owners needing new engines and transmissions. But there is a risk.

I do recall a while ago another forum member received a similar dealer diagnosis, and successfully used the following local transmission shop for a rebuild, and if I recall correctly the cost was in the $6000-$7000 range:

https://www.alltransmissionworld.com/what-you-should-know-about-dual-clutch-transmissionswhat-you-should-know-about-dual-clutch-transmissions

Keep in mind the Macan PDK is Audi derived. If you find a shop that rebuilds Audi dual clutch transmissions, they should have little issue working on yours.

Those new motor prices sound correct but there are people who have bought rebuilt motors fir less . This is not of my domain but I did read a discussion on it and it’s an alternative avenue .

 

[1oldf]

transmissions have "known" issues ????
Does someone knows what these issues are....

 

[Macanakey]

Wow that's great that they helped him out. I was originally told by my dealer that Porsche would pay a portion and the dealership would pay a portion and I would be responsible for $4-5000K. I was good with that. And then my dealer said Porsche wouldn't help and I was back to where I am now. I can't believe they would help someone who bought their car from a non-Porsche dealer. I did point out this isn't my first Porsche and that didn't seem to matter. So disappointed.

I'm surprised & disappointed that the dealer backed out on you after offering to help out. I'd go straight to Porsche Corporate & push the fact that this is isn't your Porsche. That's got to count for something. I'd also start consider a low level PR campaign, or threaten one at least. I'm awful with social media, but when my Macan was stuck at the dealership for 2 months, waiting for a transfer case, I tweeted at PCNA with a "hey, what's going on?" They replied right away & were pretty helpful in getting the car fixed.

Again, so sorry. This really sucks & I feel for you.

 

[1oldf]

found this site that has good info on common issues with the macan

Expert Solutions for Porsche Macan Common Problems

Symptoms with expert solutions for Porsche Macan common problems. Find a diagnosis to the most common Porsche Macan Issues.

www.pcarwise.com

 

[PeterVV]

found this site that has good info on common issues with the macan

Expert Solutions for Porsche Macan Common Problems

Symptoms with expert solutions for Porsche Macan common problems. Find a diagnosis to the most common Porsche Macan Issues.

www.pcarwise.com

Looks like an excellent website, but I wonder what they mean by “common“ problems? How could this possibly be a common problem when virtually no one on this forum has experienced it? Wondering if perhaps what they mean is that those are the most common problems, but that actually most of them are uncommon. Even the well-documented transfer case issues and timing chain cover bolts are not really “common” as they seem to effect only a few percentage points of Macans at the most.

 

[akisf226]

My 2c with regard to the $21k repair bill.. Did the dealership provide an itemized list of all components required to do the job? Labor cost per procedure? Brief description of the work required? Did they suggest or speculate of what might have caused the malfunction to the transmission? Some of that information might be helpful as ammunition when calling Porsche corporate. Sometimes there can be some goodwill in splitting the repair cost. Even if it is 25%-75%. I wouldn't give up so easily. Perhaps a different dealership would be willing to go the extra mile for you to earn your future business. Some points to think about or ponder.

 

[Korilyn]

Looks like an excellent website, but I wonder what they mean by “common“ problems? How could this possibly be a common problem when virtually no one on this forum has experienced it? Wondering if perhaps what they mean is that those are the most common problems, but that actually most of them are uncommon. Even the well-documented transfer case issues and timing chain cover bolts are not really “common” as they seem to effect only a few percentage points of Macans at the most.

I did a quick search on this forum and found quite a few threads about transmission issues. Here is one about a 2015 Macon S transmission:

Discussion Starter • #1 • Nov 22, 2018 (Edited)

Hello Guys & Gals. New guy here. I searched this forum as well as the General forum before I asked this so hope I am not starting an inappropriate new thread. I am a happy 2001 Boxster owner considering two different 2015 Macan S’. Porsche dealer has warned me NOT to buy a 2015 without an extended warranty that covers the transmission. I’ve done a search on the engine forum and there were quite a few posts on this subject from 2104 but nothing since. Anyone have any intel on this? My first-choice Macan from a Mercedes dealer has the factory warranty that expires in two months and I’d prefer not to have to spend big money on a third party warranty. Distant 2nd choice car (wrong color, mileage and options) is from a Porsche dealer and has had the transmission replaced and has 2 more years of warranty. Should I be afraid of the first car? Thanks for any help.

 

[Korilyn]

I'm surprised & disappointed that the dealer backed out on you after offering to help out. I'd go straight to Porsche Corporate & push the fact that this is isn't your Porsche. That's got to count for something. I'd also start consider a low level PR campaign, or threaten one at least. I'm awful with social media, but when my Macan was stuck at the dealership for 2 months, waiting for a transfer case, I tweeted at PCNA with a "hey, what's going on?" They replied right away & were pretty helpful in getting the car fixed.

Again, so sorry. This really sucks & I feel for you.

It wasn't the dealer who backed out -- it was Porsche Corporate. My dealer has been advocating heavily for me. The rep at corporate told me they intended to share the cost with my dealer. She asked if it was my first Porsche and I told her it wasn't. She said she spoke with the manager at my dealership (which she did) and said she would escalate my case (it had been 3 weeks of waiting) and get approval and I should be all set. Next thing I heard was from the manager at Porsche who called me to say that Porsche Corporate decided they were not going to help. No explanation. Thanks for your suggestions and kind words. This really does suck.

 

[Korilyn]

My 2c with regard to the $21k repair bill.. Did the dealership provide an itemized list of all components required to do the job? Labor cost per procedure? Brief description of the work required? Did they suggest or speculate of what might have caused the malfunction to the transmission? Some of that information might be helpful as ammunition when calling Porsche corporate. Sometimes there can be some goodwill in splitting the repair cost. Even if it is 25%-75%. I wouldn't give up so easily. Perhaps a different dealership would be willing to go the extra mile for you to earn your future business. Some points to think about or ponder.

No, they didn't give me a detailed list, but they did provide one to Porsche Corporate. The dealer also thought that Porsche Corporate was going to split the costs and I would pay the remaining $4-5000K. I would be very happy with that scenario. But then Corporate backed out & the best the dealership has offered is 5k off of the 21k quoted. Not worth fixing at that price.

 

[Korilyn]

No, they didn't give me a detailed list, but they did provide one to Porsche Corporate. The dealer also thought that Porsche Corporate was going to split the costs and I would pay the remaining $4-5000K. I would be very happy with that scenario. But then Corporate backed out & the best the dealership has offered is 5k off of the 21k quoted. Not worth fixing at that price.

Also, I neglected to answer your question about speculation: I asked how this could happen when the car was so well-maintained and was told, "Sometimes it just happens."

 

[jzwu]

Anything or sh^t happens. It’s a game of probability.

 

[Wolverine]

I did a quick search on this forum and found quite a few threads about transmission issues. Here is one about a 2015 Macon S transmission:

Discussion Starter • #1 • Nov 22, 2018 (Edited)

Hello Guys & Gals. New guy here. I searched this forum as well as the General forum before I asked this so hope I am not starting an inappropriate new thread. I am a happy 2001 Boxster owner considering two different 2015 Macan S’. Porsche dealer has warned me NOT to buy a 2015 without an extended warranty that covers the transmission. I’ve done a search on the engine forum and there were quite a few posts on this subject from 2104 but nothing since. Anyone have any intel on this? My first-choice Macan from a Mercedes dealer has the factory warranty that expires in two months and I’d prefer not to have to spend big money on a third party warranty. Distant 2nd choice car (wrong color, mileage and options) is from a Porsche dealer and has had the transmission replaced and has 2 more years of warranty. Should I be afraid of the first car? Thanks for any help.

Sorry, but you’re not fooling anybody here as to what your intention is… To badmouth the Porsche Macan in the hopes that you’re making some noise will get PCNA to step up and cover your transmission failure at 90,000 miles.

At the top of this thread when I saw three people ask you how many miles are on your car and when you failed to answer, I suspected something was fishy. Only when you were called out on the issue did you disclose that your car has 90,000 miles on it.

Now you are claiming you did a quick search of our forum and found quite a few threads about transmission issues. Just how many threads did you find, and what were the actual topics? How many of them have to do with transmission failures to the point that they need to be replaced?

Anyone who has been a member here for a while knows that there have been very few reports of major transmission problems, and it’s very clear what kind of picture you are attempting to paint on this.

We know what your purpose of posting on this forum is, and you have been exposed.

 

[DanNYC]

It’s about time someone called this thread for what it is.

 

[Korilyn]

Sorry, but you’re not fooling anybody here as to what your intention is… To badmouth the Porsche Macan in the hopes that you’re making some noise will get PCNA to step up and cover your transmission failure at 90,000 miles.

At the top of this thread when I saw three people ask you how many miles are on your car and when you failed to answer, I suspected something was fishy. Only when you were called out on the issue did you disclose that your car has 90,000 miles on it.

Now you are claiming you did a quick search of our forum and found quite a few threads about transmission issues. Just how many threads did you find, and what were the actual topics? How many of them have to do with transmission failures to the point that they need to be replaced?

Anyone who has been a member here for a while knows that there have been very few reports of major transmission problems, and it’s very clear what kind of picture you are attempting to paint on this.

We know what your purpose of posting on this forum is, and you have been exposed.

I'm not sure what you mean by being exposed — I have been completely transparent. I have driven the car for 90k, kept it impeccably maintained, and thought the car would have a lot more miles in it than that. I'm not here to argue with you. This forum (and others) has been very helpful with providing information that I only wish I'd had earlier. I'm here to research, gather information and find a solution. You're accusing me of being here simply to kick up some dust, and if that's what you think, I'm completely ok with that. Not all threads on this forum are for me either and I just keep scrolling. To those who've reached out, thanks so much for your assistance. Very much appreciated.

 

[Digby]

I'm not sure what you mean by being exposed — I have been completely transparent.

Transparent? You sound like one of our politicians whose name I will not mention. Trying to hide the fact your car has 90,000 miles is not exactly being transparent.

Unfortunately with pretty much any car you will see a few transmission failures at this mileage level, and there are plenty of cars where the cost of a complete transmission replacement at 90,000 miles would come close to the value of the car.

You need to find a transmission shop that rebuilds these. At 90,000 miles, the price will make more sense, plus you can expect to get a warranty.