- Porsche is recalling 1,702 Porsche 911s equipped with center locking hub and wheel assemblies because as the hubs wear, the wheels could loosen, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The recall includes the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Porsche 911 Turbo and Porsche 911 Turbo S.
- Porsche told the federal government that should the affected vehicles be operated under racing conditions, there is a small possibility that the wheel-retention system may fail.
WASHINGTON — Porsche is recalling 1,702 Porsche 911s equipped with racing-style center-locking hubs and wheel assemblies because as the hubs wear, the wheels could loosen, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall includes the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Porsche 911 Turbo and Porsche 911 Turbo S.
"Over time, the hubs can wear prematurely," said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem. "As the hubs wear, the wheels could loosen, increasing the risk of a crash."
In other documentation filed with the federal government, Porsche said that should the affected vehicles be operated under racing conditions, there is a small possibility that the wheel-retention system may fail.
The German automaker said that it is aware that some 911 owners "occasionally operate them on a racetrack or under similar conditions."
In August 2010, a German Porsche dealer who sponsors racing teams in competitive events on European racetracks informed Porsche AG of a broken center locking wheel and hub assembly on a 911 Carrera GT3 operated under semiprofessional racing conditions. In total, three cars with broken center wheel hubs were discovered on the racetrack. In two cases, there were accidents on the racetracks after the hub failed. No injuries or fatalities resulted from these accidents, said Porsche. It noted that there were "no reported field cases during public-road use."
Porsche said it has developed new components, as well as additional instructions for the use of such components, when the affected vehicles are operated under racing conditions.
The center-locking hub was an option on the 911 Turbo. The feature was standard equipment on, and was installed on 100 percent of every other model in the recall. Porsche said the optional feature can be "discerned by looking at the exterior of the vehicle and by reviewing the list of options installed on the vehicle."
Porsche dealers will replace the center-locking hubs and wheels with an improved design. A new owner's manual supplement will be added to the vehicle's documentation portfolio, as well. Porsche has not yet provided NHTSA with an owner notification schedule. Owners can contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243.
Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned Porsche, be aware that a recall is in the works.
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compressor says:
01:51 PM, 06/16/2011
jeremy_c,
The problem with your analogy is that Porsche has apporved this wheel hub for street use. I agree with the majority of what you say though.
I think a big problem is that a lot of people that track their cars do not perform the required inspections. It doesn't matter if your car is "built for racing". Racing places extremely high stresses on certain components and frequent inspection is required regardless if the part was design for racing or street use. People tend to forget that most race teams will almost tear apart a car after major events to inspect and replace worn parts.
compressor says:
01:47 PM, 06/16/2011
This would never happen in a GTR. The GTR has screws and fasteners which are stronger, cheaper, ligher, better looking, and make you 8min faster around the N-ring than overpriced Porsche parts.
cb_racer, your welcome ;)
jeremy_c says:
12:40 PM, 06/16/2011
People never learn that racing equipment don't belong on street cars, that's why they are called "racing" equipment. My cousin is an automotive engineer and always commented on stupid things that people do to their cars thinking it makes them cool and faster. Examples are racing brake pads and race compound tires which never warms up to to optimal temperature and provides way less grip than normal cheap brake pads and tires. Cross drilled brake disk that are more prone to stress cracks unless they are replaced after every race. 4 point harness in a street car with no roll cage will get your neck broken by holding you to your seat when the roof crumples in a rollover. Center locking hubs are the same. They look cool but is not suited for the street where they are subject to corrosion. Most people know that putting on a stethoscope doesn't make they become a doctor and yet somehow they are dumb enough to believe that they can become Michael Schumacher by making their cars look like a race car.
gtrguy2012 says:
11:17 AM, 06/16/2011
Surely the engineer in charge of this at Porsche will be shot at dawn for his grave mistake.
lol @ cb_racer.
cb_racer says:
11:13 AM, 06/16/2011
Haaaaaa, that's a good one.
Where is the GTR guy saying that this would never happen in the GTR and the GTR has better screws and fasteners? BTW, Porsche bolts are completely over priced and they are not even the best bolts in the industry. He,he,he...
It's coming...