CPO warranty issue - squeaky suspension

[Mtk]

Hey everyone. Recently front suspension started making squeaky noises while driving on bumpy roads. It was becoming louder and louder, until I stopped using the car - the sound became embarrassingly loud. It’s a 2021 RWD Taycan, 35k km mileage, bought few months ago from local Porsche dealership and it came with CPO warranty. After visiting the dealership and showing them the issue, their reply was that this squeaky sound is coming from a ball joint, which for some reason doesn’t have any lube left inside. However, the suspension is still OK and there is no free movement in joints/arms. So they are not able to replace the ball joint under warranty and I have to pay for it, as “the noise is not considered as a defect”. They said I can continue driving until ball joint wears out completely, and they will be able to replace it for free once free movement is there.


Did anyone face similar issue with warranty? Should they replace under warranty just because of the sound?

I’m located in Northern EU and we only have 1 dealership here, so I’m not able to check with others. And maybe someone has contacted Porsche AG directly? I’m not able to find any direct contacts in Germany, if someone has them - please share.

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[Jasper4S]

@tomtom901 you had this issue right? If I remember correctly it was fully covered by warranty?

 

[tomtom901]

@tomtom901 you had this issue right? If I remember correctly it was fully covered by warranty?

ah same guy as on Reddit, yes, but for me it was covered under factory warranty, not CPO

 

[D00notD00d]

Germany customer service [email protected]
Your warranty document will include an escalation contact.
See also https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/threads/front-suspension-squawk.18119/page-2

Did your service centre try to grease any parts? Is climate a factor?

Perhaps your line of argument is that whilst there may be no free play, if it isn’t a serviceable item it shouldn’t become so dry in some climates that it makes old car like embarrassing squeaks and groans that negatively affect the Porsche luxury brand reputation. If the part will eventually fail, could they consider bringing forward the warranty claim on a goodwill basis?

The issue could be that it is often advisable to replace suspension/steering parts in pairs, increasing the cost. If it comes to it you may be able to negotiate sharing the cost.

Also check your country’s used car consumer purchase legislation

 

[Chiu]

I have the same problem. There is an abnormal sound when passing through a speed bump.

 

[D00notD00d]

@Mtk - forward the bulletin & remedy attached in the previous post to your warranty/customer service contact, stating this is a recognised defect.
Note the remedy does say that claims under the extended warranty are not possible, so you‘ll have to negotiate that.

 

[rim23]

I have the same problem. There is an abnormal sound when passing through a speed bump.

It’s a CPO car. He doesn’t have factory warranty, but extended warranty. The document clearly states that this claim cannot be processed as Porsche approved warranty.

I also turned to them with this problem here in Finland and they could do nothing, but suggest to change them with cost of 3k euros.

The only thing you can do is to remove the wheels, wash the the joints, then apply some rubber friendly grease.

This partially solved my problem

 

[D00notD00d]

Caveats first. I don’t know consumer law in the OP’s country or the extent to which climate is a factor. I also don’t know the volume of the noise, how often it occurs and therefore the chances of successfully challenging Porsche’s refusal here.

Circumstances

1. Porsche is retailing cars to operate in cold climates (assuming that’s a factor here) and some make embarrassing noises unbefitting of a premium brand.
That they will replace the item under the manufacturers warranty confirms acceptance of a manufacturing defect.

2. Whilst the approved warranty states acoustic defects which do not impact functionality are not covered, it could be argued that a functional requirement of a steering/suspension bush is to operate silently (hence in some examples the design includes lubrication points).The OP could seek legal advice & representation

 

[Mtk]

Thanks everyone for your replies. During my visit to the dealership, they indeed have lubricated the ball joint, although it didn’t help for long - after few hours the noise was back. Some time later, with help from a friend of mine, more lube was applied to the ball joint and control arm. At first, nothing changed. I left the car parked for 3 days without use. Recently I’ve tried to drive it, and the noise was gone. Approximately 300 km later, still no noise. So @rim23 advise is what helps me for now.

Regarding the replacement under CPO warranty, dealership explained very clear that Porsche AG won‘t approve this job (As stated in the above mentioned bulletin). @Chiu thanks for attaching this doc.

tl;dr If the creaking sound is present, CPO warranty won’t cover it unless there is free movement in the control arm. Lubrication will fix the issue for unknown time.

 

[rim23]

Thanks everyone for your replies. During my visit to the dealership, they indeed have lubricated the ball joint, although it didn’t help for long - after few hours the noise was back. Some time later, with help from a friend of mine, more lube was applied to the ball joint and control arm. At first, nothing changed. I left the car parked for 3 days without use. Recently I’ve tried to drive it, and the noise was gone. Approximately 300 km later, still no noise. So @rim23 advise is what helps me for now.

Regarding the replacement under CPO warranty, dealership explained very clear that Porsche AG won‘t approve this job (As stated in the above mentioned bulletin). @Chiu thanks for attaching this doc.

tl;dr If the creaking sound is present, CPO warranty won’t cover it unless there is free movement in the control arm. Lubrication will fix the issue for unknown time.

Yeah, unfortunately it’s not the best way how they handle it. My car started to produce these sounds right after the end of the factory warranty and they didn’t want to approve that work quoting me 3k euros instead :\

 

[logic]

I wanted to share that I might have inflicted this myself after power washing the wheel arches. ?

Days later, mine made a creaking noise, only when backing up and going over a bump (backing up from my driveway or other parking spots), coming from the front suspension, left upper side. Embarrassing and very noticeable in a quiet car.

Drove the car for months until it had to be recalled for new brake lines...
Mentioned the creaking suspension, but they couldn't reproduce the noise.
Took the chief mechanic for a test drive and it only took a few seconds before we heard the noise.
Made a second appointment to investigate the creaking noise.

Seriously, just a week before the next appointment the noise was gone.
No one did anything.
Or maybe someone already lubricated something, regardless of whether the sound could be reproduced.

I know it's only anecdotal, maybe it rings a bell to others. Glad it is fixed anyways!

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