Battery failure/extended repair times

[izzcool]

So my 2020 black-on-black Taycan 4S is indeed a precision driving instrument, but its electrical/software sytems are dismal failures. It is not unusual that manufacturers that classically create marvelous hardware are unable to achieve the same with software. This is clearly a problem with Porsche AG. At 41K miles, my car is on its 3rd high voltage heater (each repair took 2 weeks apiece) and recently upon returning from vacation, I received the warning message "Elecrtical system error...Park vehicle in a safe place." Tried a number of solutions proposed by those with similar experiences in this forum, but no luck. The car sat paralyzed in in my garage with the battery charged to 85%. After my dealership's diligent week of searching and data accumulation, the Porsche people in Germany asked that the main battery be returned, and a new one will be sent in exchange. Wait time? Two months. So added up, that's 3 months without my car and paying the usual hefty lease payments when wants a Porsche. Yes they offered a Macan loaner, but I turned it down. Thoughts any one? I did contact 800-PORSCHE, and will provide details of that experience if there is any interest.

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[Tooney]

Sorry you are having these experiences.
Regarding it taking two months for battery replacement: Do you have any idea what the components of that time are and how long they take?
--Does your car's battery have to be sent to Germany before a new one is shipped?
--Getting the parts? Are battery parts in the US or do they come from Europe?
--Time waiting for the shop to start the work once parts arrive?
--Waiting for a Porsche regional specialist to visit the shop to do the work?
--Time in the shop to do the work?

Others in forum have reported waiting for 3 to 4 months to have HV battery repaired or replaced. I'm trying to understand why it takes so long.

And I would like to know what you learned from 800-porsche.

 

[Ztarman]

I'm sorry to hear about your problems too, I have experienced similar and was asked by another forum member to stop complaining and why i didn't just ask for a new car replacement and refer to 'lemon laws', I'm sure its not so simple, but did you try this?

 

[GLM1]

So my 2020 black-on-black Taycan 4S is indeed a precision driving instrument, but its electrical/software sytems are dismal failures. It is not unusual that manufacturers that classically create marvelous hardware are unable to achieve the same with software. This is clearly a problem with Porsche AG. At 41K miles, my car is on its 3rd high voltage heater (each repair took 2 weeks apiece) and recently upon returning from vacation, I received the warning message "Elecrtical system error...Park vehicle in a safe place." Tried a number of solutions proposed by those with similar experiences in this forum, but no luck. The car sat paralyzed in in my garage with the battery charged to 85%. After my dealership's diligent week of searching and data accumulation, the Porsche people in Germany asked that the main battery be returned, and a new one will be sent in exchange. Wait time? Two months. So added up, that's 3 months without my car and paying the usual hefty lease payments when wants a Porsche. Yes they offered a Macan loaner, but I turned it down. Thoughts any one? I did contact 800-PORSCHE, and will provide details of that experience if there is any interest.

 

[DirtyPop]

I feel like your car meets the lemon law requirements, 3 times in the shop in a short amount of time. I would definitely look into that of course if you are in the US. You might get all of your money back if it does pass. Please keep us updated. That really sucks!

 

[izzcool]

In Maryland, the vehicle must be less than 2 years old, and driven less than 18K miles. My car exceeds both.

 

[izzcool]

The component to be replaced is the main battery itself. I assume the old battery will be sent back to Germany, but do not know whether it must be received before shipping a new one. Given its size and weight it will be literally shipped, likely causing the long wait. Once the battery arrives it should not take long to install the new one. However electronic bugs could arise. There has been no mention of a Porsche regional specialist visiting the shop, but he/she may be required. Hopefully it does not take 3-4 months of waiting as you mentioned.

I called 1 800 Porsche and spoke with a delightful and informative representative. I wanted to know what mitigation Porsche AG might offer, given the 3 months (total) my car was and will be in the shop. She politely responded that Porsche will not waive the lease payments and can only offer vehicles that are available as loaner cars (e.g. Macans). To escalate this matter, I needed to provide proof of vehicle ownership and lease payment verification. My lease is with Porsche Financial. She did say that Porsche will work things out “at the end” but was not at liberty to let me know what those things were. I am not anticipating anything equitable. I’ve always felt that at Porsche AG the customer isn’t king – Porsche AG is.

 

[RoseyPSU]

The component to be replaced is the main battery itself. I assume the old battery will be sent back to Germany, but do not know whether it must be received before shipping a new one. Given its size and weight it will be literally shipped, likely causing the long wait. Once the battery arrives it should not take long to install the new one. However electronic bugs could arise. There has been no mention of a Porsche regional specialist visiting the shop, but he/she may be required. Hopefully it does not take 3-4 months of waiting as you mentioned.

I called 1 800 Porsche and spoke with a delightful and informative representative. I wanted to know what mitigation Porsche AG might offer, given the 3 months (total) my car was and will be in the shop. She politely responded that Porsche will not waive the lease payments and can only offer vehicles that are available as loaner cars (e.g. Macans). To escalate this matter, I needed to provide proof of vehicle ownership and lease payment verification. My lease is with Porsche Financial. She did say that Porsche will work things out “at the end” but was not at liberty to let me know what those things were. I am not anticipating anything equitable. I’ve always felt that at Porsche AG the customer isn’t king – Porsche AG is.

The wait time is for (presumably) a battery to be produced and sent, via ship, to Baltimore, then FedExed (yes, they use FedEx) to your dealer. The original battery does not need to be returned prior to a new battery being sent. Actual install is a day or two once the battery arrives. For me, this process was 4 months from the red screen of death.

Porsche NA will offer financial compensation: stay on top of them. Save all of your gas receipts and other expenses. Take the loaner if you need something to drive.

Also, look in to Porsche Drive. You may be able to do a long term Taycan rental through Porsche Drive and get Porsche NA to cover the cost. At least that way, you're in a Taycan while you wait for your battery.

 

[Tooney]

The wait time is for (presumably) a battery to be produced and sent, via ship, to Baltimore, then FedExed (yes, they use FedEx) to your dealer. The original battery does not need to be returned prior to a new battery being sent.

Why can't spare Taycan batteries be stored in NA to expedite replacement? Are there electrical performance issues, or is it all about minimizing Porsche repair parts inventory costs?

Did your Taycan's battery fix require waiting for a non-local Porsche specialist to visit the shop?

 

[RoseyPSU]

Why can't spare Taycan batteries be stored in NA to expedite replacement? Are there electrical performance issues, or is it all about minimizing Porsche repair parts inventory costs?

I'm sure it's a logistics issue. 99% of the batteries go toward new Taycans and then, when one is needed as a replacement, it's pulled off the line and shipped out. That's a guess but why keep good batteries laying around in a different country?

Did your Taycan's battery fix require waiting for a non-local Porsche specialist to visit the shop?

No. New battery arrived and they just popped it in. It only takes about an hour or so. It's all of the diagnostics they have to run after it's installed that take up the time. I think they only need the specialists when they're replacing a cell within the battery.

 

[izzcool]

Thanks folks. Your posts have been more than helpful. Will look into a long term rental thru Porsche Drive. Looks like the two month wait they quoted would only be under the best of circumstances.
I am awaiting a callback from a Porsche customer relations specialist. Will let you all know.

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