Recent Software Update / Recall problems

[robclarke24]

Our Macan has just had the Software recall for the DPF and Gearbox (didn't know there was a recall as car was in for something else and it was done).

Since it has been done 200 miles later the car is idling differently (which is not the issue) but under normal driving the car is not as smooth and it used to be, it seems to stutter on gear change - almost as if it can't decide to change up or not. So this is only on normal driving, driving with more enthusiasm it does not have an issue.

Anyone had this update and having similar issues?

Car is 2016 Diesel S PDK and has had the replacement transfer box.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

A symptom of VW dieselgate? Because some owners were complaining of poor running and reduced output many others opting not to have software "update".

 

[robclarke24]

Agree that this is as a result of dieselgate. We were not given a choice, told it was a recall. This is (I think) the second update as a result of dieselgate. In driving it yesterday it seems to want to change up to second far earlier than before, think it maybe changing up too early and bogging itself down?

 

[tidusuk123]

I had serviced my diesel Macan recently and also had this recall done. OPC advised it’s an ECU flash which changes the map of the engine.

I’m experiencing the exact same symptoms you mentioned - and it feels slower too, even in Sport mode. It’s really ruined the way the car drives. I’ve complained to the OPC that did the recall and they have booked it back in to see if anything can be done. They have already confirmed that the flash cannot be reversed and that they did not make a back up of the ECU before flashing it.

Have you done anything with yours to rectify the issue?

Anyone else having this issue?

 

[Ian Gilmour]

I received the recall letter a couple of weeks ago but elected to delay it until 1st service in May. In view of the comments on this post, I'm now wondering whether to have the recall done at all. Is it optional and if you decline it will it affect the warranty?

 

[robclarke24]

Update. We had OPC look at it and they diagnosed a faulty transfer box! - coincidence? not sure! This was our second replacement transfer box and for the first few weeks it was not bogging itself down or slipping, but the performance was still poor. Then it seem to get worse, but by this point we had purchased a replacement vehicle (Discovery - we needed a heavier tow car) so we traded the Macan back to the dealer. With the loss of performance, 2nd transfer box, and the car getting close to 3 years old (we have owned it since new) we cut our loses and moved on.

Good luck to other Macan owners out there with these updates as not sure how you can prove the car does not perform as it did before, and if it doesn't, legally where do you stand as we didn't feel the car was the same performance as the Macan we drove at the Experience Centre - but have no way of proving it!

 

[tidusuk123]

It went it for a service and they said a recall was due. I didn’t ask what it was for but as soon as I picked up the vehicle and drove it away I could feel the change. I had a feeling it was down to the emissions saga and OPC confirmed when I spoke to them.

You can refuse the update but Porsche may not honour your warranty.

If enough of us experience this then Porsche may be forced to take action.

 

[andrew0401]

Well according to OPC Cambridge - no recall, almost certainly no warranty. Car just seem less responsive but no objective measure available.

 

[Ian Gilmour]

OPC told me the recall is optional - no mention of the effect on warranty. Service due in the next 3 weeks so will ask further then.

 

[mclark]

Two OPC’s have told me that for an extended warranty to be purchased all updates have to be completed.

 

[Emi]

I have a 15 month old Macan S from new. It had its software update last week and its performance has changed substantially. The car does not drive as it used to. Its slow and moreover the fuel consumption has increased more than 100% which makes it unaffordable to drive. I see that many others are experiencing the same issues. We should get together and get Porsche to respond. It is so different than it doesn't feel like the car I bought. Porsche would have the default settings of the car so I am hoping they can reverse it.. Has anyone been in touch with Porsche Germany to address the issue directly? Thanks

 

[tidusuk123]

I agree. It needs to be escalated but I wouldn’t know where to start. I raised my issues with Porsche UK and they said I need to discuss it directly with the OPC I bought it from.

I’ve raised it with them. It’s been back once and they changed some settings. It drives a little better now but I still wasn’t happy with it. They picked it back up yesterday and it’s currently with them.

I’m asking that it goes back to the original software but it doesn’t look like that will be allowed.

It’s such a shame. The car drove so well before but since the update it’s horrible.

 

[Dj5086]

Has anyone done a remap of the engine and pdk - not necessarily to increase power or torque but just to get back the responsiveness back when in sport mode since the aj07 firmware update.

 

[delboystoy]

Yes, I have a 'Plug and play' box from a company called 'Chip Express' in St Albans. I decided that as this 'Audi Engine' has over 300bhp when fitted in to the SQ5 that I wanted the same. My car is 2015 so therefore no longer under warranty. The box has four power settings, so you can add as much additional HP as you want up to 325 !! It makes the gear changes smoother and quicker and increases the fuel economy. It is easy to fit and remove so if your car is under warranty it takes literally two minutes to take out when it has to go in to a main dealer []

and should you change to another diesel it can be re-programmed !!

Link below to there web site;
https://www.chipexpress.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImY_0lune5AIVS9reCh2GxQU0EAAYASAAEgJpFfD_BwE

 

[Lancerlot]

Yes, I have a 'Plug and play' box from a company called 'Chip Express' in St Albans.....
and should you change to another diesel it can be re-programmed !!

Do you happen to know how much this would cost and whether the electrical connectors would be changed at the same time?

I wonder if you would be prepared to post a separate thread covering the fitting of the module and your experiences with it. It would certainly be of interest to fellow Macan owners.
Regards,
Clive

 

[rakh1]

Our Macan SD was updated - I travel regularly for 3hrs and also do smaller, more spirited drives - have to say that I have not noticed anything detrimental to performance and the economy for the longer drives is pretty much the same as it was before the update.

 

[delboystoy]

Morning Clive, sorry been away for the weekend.

I bought mine originally for a Mercedes E Class, that 2.2 engine was gutless but should have realised it was not the engine but it's just such a boring car, solid mind you and went from A to B in comfort but boring. Any way sorry gone off at a tangent, you just send the box back to them and for £150 they re-programme it and send you a new loom for which ever car you have chosen as well as a full set of colour picture instructions to give a 'Dummies guide' on how to fit it. You also get a blanking plug if you want to leave the loom in place but just remove the chip say for services or MOT but I used to leave mine on all the time.
The newer ones look easier to adjust than mine they have seem to have moved the buttons to the top, my older one has a panel that has to be removed and then you have to swap some mini plugs around.

Got to say if you want an easy solution to gaining more power with faster gear changes and better fuel economy this little box is pretty good.

 

[Dj5086]

Has anyone any experience with SA Tuning. I’m thinking of having my macan diesel remapped with their #truetune. Good/bad?
thanks

 

[Mandy S]

Had AJ07 re-programme DME to my 2017 Macan S back in August 2019. Basically the 'S' no longer exists - it has since driven in the same gearing as 'non-Sport' mode. Porsche dealership are in complete denial about it. Ended up in tears in the showroom - only then was it taken out for a drive, and soft admission was made that the gearing was different and that a report would be sent out to Reading. This has taken from August to December to get to this point. I feel as if I am being fobbed off by the service dept. So many unhappy people on my last two visits there Porsche are quickly going to get a bad reputation if this is not sorted.

 

[Dj5086]

I have the same problem with my car. Even spoke to one of my barrister friends over this. Basically they interfered with my car without my consent and ruined the driving dynamics in sport mode. It does not exist anymore. It took them six weeks before they admitted it was down to the diesel scandal and that they had in fact updated the firmware. Before this I was told it was because the pdk was reset and it had to learn my driving style again. They will not reverse this and so the car is not as I purchased for €66,000. It's a frustrating car to drive now. You approach a roundabout in 3rd gear and by the time you get around it your up into 5th. (it should still be in 3rd) Basically the car was misrepresented during the sale, and we have a 100% case on this.