Taycan stolen

[ljump12]

Thanks for your thoughts and feedback....Ok, so more details for those interested.

This happened last Thursday July 29th, so it has been a week.

The PCM was indeed disabled and in privacy mode because of the software updates. The story from the dealer (and cops). A couple came in to test drive a car (why would they not have DL's of said people?). They opportunistically picked up my keys which were hang-tag matched to my car sitting in the service breezeway. Security cameras show my car being driven out of the dealership with the couple's car as well. They were able to capture the license plate of the couple's car which turned out to be stolen in NJ (my dealer is in PA).

I had an E-ZPass in the car, and there was a transaction on a toll in PA that afternoon and nothing since. The detective called me and said there was a static camera that captured the car being driven in southern new jersey on Saturday evening July 31st/ Sunday morning August 1st.

We called 1-800-PORSCHE and they cannot track anything since the privacy mode is on in the car. We cannot retroactively install anything remotely either.

The dealer has verbally accepted responsibility and has given me a loaner. I have talked to my insurance company and flagged the car as being stolen.

I would not like to go through my insurance company for the reasons mentioned in this thread.
The forum had helped me with my custom build, as this is/was my first Porsche. I also invested in a ceramic coating etc and am pretty bummed out about all this.

If the dealer doesn't offer me an adequate reimbursement I wonder if I should considering suing them for negligence. I have never sued anyone, nor have the inclination to do, but for this, I would certainly consider it.

The detective is also investigating whether there was an insider from the dealership involved.

Thank you for the details... I'm sorry that sounds like a really unfortunate situation.

If I were you I think I would try work in good faith with the dealer to work out a solution. If the car is recovered in good condition I would expect some compensation, especially if it ends up on insurance. (Think 10k+). If any damage, I would probably request that they order a new identical car, and pay for it to be ceramic coated again.

I would probably hire a lawyer if the dealer at all tries to negotiate away from what you think you deserve here. That's what lawyers are for... I don't think it's a scummy move at all.

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[SWORDER]

So sorry to hear this, man. What an awful and totally preventable experience.

The PCM was indeed disabled and in privacy mode because of the software updates. The story from the dealer (and cops). A couple came in to test drive a car (why would they not have DL's of said people?). They opportunistically picked up my keys which were hang-tag matched to my car sitting in the service breezeway. Security cameras show my car being driven out of the dealership with the couple's car as well. They were able to capture the license plate of the couple's car which turned out to be stolen in NJ (my dealer is in PA).

Thanks for sharing this. I was just about to post about how it's really hard to steal a car nowadays using old school methods like hot-wiring. You basically need a tow truck to steal a car. It never occurred to me that a random customer could just drive off with a car. Crazy!

The detective is also investigating whether there was an insider from the dealership involved.

I feel like this is almost certainly the case. Please keep us posted. I'm really interested to hear what happens with this.

As an aside, if I'm a car thief, seems like a Taycan is that last car I'd want to steal. Seems like I'd want to go for something understated like a Honda Accord where I can strip the parts and sell them. The whole thing is just so weird.

We called 1-800-PORSCHE and they cannot track anything since the privacy mode is on in the car.

FWIW, I'm one of those people who keeps privacy mode permanently on since I don't use the Connect app. I vaguely remember that when I enabled it, there was disclaimer indicating that, privacy mode or not, Porsche is still able to track the vehicle's location. Kind of defeats the purpose of "privacy mode" of course, but I remember reading about that on this site too. It's intriguing that they claim to be unable to track the location.

 

[chrisk]

It's intriguing that they claim to be unable to track the location.

They will not track the location unless you have purchased the tracking package. If they happily tracked stolen cars that did not subscribe to the package then nobody would buy them before their car was stolen.

However, here is another thing you might try. The car is connected to LTE (either via ATT or Verizon). I am not sure if Privacy mode deactivates the signal but the ATT might be able to triangulate the signal and locate the car (if they have not removed the sim card or they have not disconnected the 12v battery). Maybe ask the Police to request that from the mobile provider.

 

[SWORDER]

However, here is another thing you might try. The car is connected to LTE (either via ATT or Verizon). I am not sure if Privacy mode deactivates the signal but the ATT might be able to triangulate the signal and locate the car (if they have not removed the sim car or they have not disconnected the 12v battery).

Exactly. You've got the IP address and cell tower pings from the OTA connection.

My car which I keep in privacy mode does tell me when new OTA updates are ready to be installed so I can confirm that the LTE signal isn't deactivated in privacy mode.

 

[kort]

As an aside, if I'm a car thief, seems like a Taycan is that last car I'd want to steal. Seems like I'd want to go for something understated like a Honda Accord where I can strip the parts and sell them. The whole thing is just so weird.

there are groups that steal cars to order, if this is the case the car could already be in a container

 

[charliemathilde]

Doesn’t matter. If it’s not recovered immediately, you don’t want it back. You have no idea what they’ve done with it, how they trashed it, abused it, or if they involved it in other crimes.

lawyer time. Hopefully the dealer shrugs and has their insurance just bite the bullet.

having your insurance deal with it has its pros and cons. It’ll be resolved a lot faster from your perspective as the insurance company then goes to recoup their cost from the dealer instead of you. Hard to say what it’ll do to your future premiums.

 

[charliemathilde]

If your car gets stolen, you don't want it back. It'll probably have a branded title. Likely will get trashed too.

Way better to just get whatever payout you can, and order another one.

+1000

 

[andrewket]

Or even a frigging $29 apple airtag....

I have two hidden in my car. Good arguments to not want it back, but it would be worth it to watch the purp walk/watch their sentencing hearing.

 

[andrewket]

there are groups that steal cars to order, if this is the case the car could already be in a container

Do they offer “track my dream” and is it more accurate than Porsche’s?

Sorry.. too soon.

 

[atebit]

Hopefully the purps aren’t on this forum, open-sourcing our “strateeegeries”…

 

[Sampocketpc]

Sorry to hear.

 

[Miwa]

That sucks, sounds like they're eventually going to find it, since it wasn't immediately sent to be chopped or shipped.

Hopefully the thieves total it for you.

 

[kmcdonal]

Latest update as per detective. Car was involved in a few high speed pursuits this week in Northern PA, and managed to elude the police. All the more reason not to want it back as they have most certainly abused it.

Will keep you posted... thanks for your feedback and support.

Sorry to hear it. I bet the cops had their hands full trying to chase your car.

 

[Dee]

Did you check the vehicle location in the Porsche Connect app? If the thieves or dealership tech switched your PCM to privacy mode then I suppose that won't work. Did you happen to purchase the Car Security Package that works even in privacy mode? Perhaps you can still purchase that package and Porsche can remotely activate it?

Privat mode doesn't deactivate the tracking (and SOS btw).
At least not in my country.
Several Porsches have been caught and returned to their owners already.
It's a pretty good system.
We have something that is called Porsche call center which calls if something wierd is going on.
I once forgot to put it in repair service (app) so the first test drive of the mechanic my phone rang...oops.

Or you can call them so they can track the car and notify the police.

 

[sbs]

Privat mode doesn't deactivate the tracking (and SOS btw).
At least not in my country.
Several Porsches have been caught and returned to their owners already.
It's a pretty good system.
We have something that is called Porsche call center which calls if something wierd is going on.
I once forgot to put it in repair service (app) so the first test drive of the mechanic my phone rang...oops.

Or you can call them so they can track the car and notify the police.

In the US, privacy mode prevents Porsche from tracking the car apparently

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