Porsche Recalls Nearly 200,000 Vehicles for Headlight Issue
Regarded worldwide for its powerful sports cars, Porsche has been subjected to a number of recalls through the years. Recently, nearly 200,000 Porsche models have been recalled by the manufacturer due to problems with headlights on the vehicles. The issue stems from missing screw caps that can result in the low beams being misaligned and failing to comply with federal standards. According to documents that were filed with the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every vehicle of each model included in the recall action is affected by the defect.
What is the Defect That Led to the Porsche Recall?
The Porsche recall concerns an issue with the headlights that causes improper adjustment. The manufacturer noticed adjustment screw caps were not installed on the vehicles at the factory. Although this might seem like a minor issue, it can cause a larger problem when owners try to adjust their own headlights. If headlights are not properly adjusted, they can lead to improper illumination, cause a glare for oncoming drivers, reduce operator’s visibility, and increase the risk of a crash.
The recall covers 17 model years and affects several different Porsche models. Specifically, the recalled cars include the following models:
- 2003 to 2006 and 2008 to 2017 Porsche Cayenne
- 2014 Porsche Cayman
- 2015, 2018, and 2020 Porsche Macan
- 2010 to 2016 Porsche Panamera
While Porsche stated that it does not expect drivers to misuse the horizontal adjustment, it is possible that someone might inadvertently adjust the lower beam horizontal adjustment mechanism to a setting that is improper.
What Should You Do if Your Porsche is Part of the Recall?
If your vehicle is part of the Porsche recall, you should receive a notice in the mail advising you that your car is affected. If you own one of the above Porsche models and you did not get a recall notice, you can call Porsche’s customer service number at (800) 767-7243 to find out whether your car requires a fix. Porsche’s number for the headlight problem recall is ANB4.
You can also determine whether your vehicle is part of the recall by visiting the NHTSA website. By entering your VIN into the search option, the results will reveal whether there are any open recalls in the last 15 years on your vehicle that must be addressed. The NHTSA’s campaign number for the recall is 22V656000.
Once you confirm that your vehicle is affected by the Porsche recall, you should not attempt to make any repairs yourself. Call your local authorized dealership to schedule a time when you can bring your car in for a fix. The dealership will check the installation of the caps on both headlights. If caps are not fitted, they will be retrofitted. By law, necessary repairs for a recall must be made at no charge to the consumer.
Does the Porsche Recall Mean Your Car is a Lemon?
Learning that your vehicle is subjected to a recall can be disappointing and frustrating. But it doesn’t always mean your car is a lemon. Typically, when a vehicle is recalled, the problem is easily repaired with a trip to the dealership. To qualify as a lemon, the vehicle defect must be one that cannot be remedied after reasonable repair attempts have been made.
California has strict criteria to determine whether a new or used vehicle is a lemon. Under California’s Lemon Law, a car must still be under the original manufacturer’s warranty at the time the defect is discovered in order to obtain a replacement or refund. The defect must also be one that substantially impairs the safety or value of a vehicle. While four repair attempts are usually considered sufficient to establish the vehicle is a lemon, only two may be needed in the event the defect could pose a serious safety risk to the driver and others.
A vehicle might also satisfy the lemon law criteria if it was in the repair shop for a total of 30 days or more and repairs were either not made, or they were unsuccessful. Additionally, there is a presumption that a vehicle is a lemon if the nonconformity surfaced within 18 months of delivery, or the first 18,000 miles were driven. This legal presumption can make it easier for an owner to prove their lemon law claim since the burden of proof does not fall on the owner. Rather, the manufacturer would be required to show that the vehicle is not a lemon.
Contact an Experienced Southern California Lemon Law Attorney
If you purchased a Porsche or another vehicle that failed to conform to its warranty, you might have a lemon. A skillful California lemon law attorney can evaluate your claim and advise you regarding your legal rights and recourse. At the Ledbetter Law Firm, we provide high-quality representation and adept advocacy to help our clients secure the compensation to which they are entitled in their lemon law claims.
The Ledbetter Law Firm represents clients throughout Southern California who have purchased lemon vehicles and assists them with obtaining a replacement or refund from the manufacturer. With offices conveniently located in Torrance and San Diego, California, telephone and video conferencing options are also available. Call (310) 878-0067 to schedule a consultation with a California Lemon Law attorney today.
