1,700 Porsche 911 models with center-locking hubs recalled

Report Date : June 16, 2011 at 12:33 PM
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V285000

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):

PORSCHE / 911 GT2 RS 2010-2011
PORSCHE / 911 GT3 2010-2011
PORSCHE / 911 GT3 RS 2010-2011
PORSCHE / 911 TURBO 2010-2011
PORSCHE / 911 TURBO S 2010-2011

Manufacturer: PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: JUN 09, 2011

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V285000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS

Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,702

Summary:
PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011, 911 TURBO; TURBO S, 911 GT3, GT3 RS AND GT2 RS HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 18, 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17, 2010, AND EQUIPPED WITH CENTER LOCKING HUB AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES. OVER TIME THE HUBS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.

Consequence:
AS THE HUBS WEAR, THE WHEELS COULD LOOSEN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTRAL LOCKING HUBS AND WHEELS WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.

Notes:
PORSCHE'S SAFETY RECALL NO. AB01. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV

[Source: NHTSA]

 

That's not good. Lucky they picked it up early.

 

That would really suck for the guys that have already modded their wheels. Ie powdercoat/paint.

 

^^Why? it has nothing to do with the wheels, well not the locking mechanism on the wheel. The problem is with the hub, where the wheel sits.

EDIT- reread!

 

^^ That was my first thought too, but upon re-reading:

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTRAL LOCKING HUBS AND WHEELS WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.

 

^^ Oh wow, wonder how I missed that. Looks like I'll be heading to the dealer because mine was built during that period. Good thing I hadn't painted the wheels black yet. Expensive recall, but much better then a lawsuit.

My mistake, will return to elementary school for reading lessons.

 

I have a hunch after reading a few threads on this that the potential issue is due to the revised torque spec. Given that the hubs and wheels show no difference in look or part number and the recall is only pre 9/2011 mfg cars, I am thinking that the TSB dealers and we saw a few months ago was the "fix". Tighten your wheels more. After that prod date, the factory and dealers were tightening them down appropriately preventing any damage that could have been caused. But for earlier cars there is a possibility they were running with a torque figure too low to safely maintain the hub and wheel, so that possibility has led to a recall. In effect to replace the potentially damaged components, but not due to a design change...rather a torque spec.

Does that seem right or am I being hopeful here?

 

I hope my dealer is planning on refunding the 85 dollars they charged my for the lubrication needed for the "fix" you're referring to which was the extra torque.

 

1700 models? I figured with the new gt3rs 4.0 they were up to 1750... hmm, time for a re count!

/joke

Hope everyone is safe out there.

 

went to the dealer yesterday but they only changed all hubs and not the wheels.