Rain water flooding under drivers side seat

SANDIVQ

MEMBER
2001 PORSCHE BOXSTER
1.7L
5 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
87,000 MILES

Hi, I own a 2001 Porsche Boxster. In march 2015 I took it to The Porsche dealership Tucson to have both window regulators replaced, unclogged all drains, replaced headlight switch and an oil change. The final cost was $2300.
It was fine until it rained. I've had this car for 5 years and rain water never went in the car, Unfortunately the floor under the driver's side was flooded. My alarm went crazy. I removed the water and dried it, the car started but was unable to open the trunks, or roll down the windows. I did call the Porsche dealership to tell them that this happened a month after they had serviced it. They wont allow me to speak to a mechanic over the phone, I need to bring the car in. I just spent $2300 and need to save more in order to take it in. I understand that the central alarm control unit is under the drivers seat. Probably fried. Is this expensive to fix? Could the window regulator replacement be the reason I now have a leak? I hope they don't take advantage of me because I am a woman. But I am convinced something was not sealed correctly, if sealed at all due to the fact that this never happened prior to their service. Any advice or thoughts on this would be so helpful.

8 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,742 POSTS

The mistake you're making is not understanding how this is handled by reputable repair shops. You correctly brought the problem to their attention as soon as you learned of it, but you're assuming you're going to have to pay for the repair. Most people are angry just with the fact they have to take time out of their busy day to take the car back, but as in any other profession, the mechanic deserves the chance to inspect his work and correct any mistakes. I know you'll find this hard to believe, but we have been known to make a mistake now and then, ... Just to see if you'll notice.

A drain hole could be blocked with debris. A plastic water shield could have been stuck back with a gap that lets water run through the opening and inside the floor area. Since shops thrive on repeat business, it is in their best interest to keep you happy. If the mechanic caused the problem, the shop should take care of it. If they claim the cause is not related to the recent service, reply back with their diagnosis and we'll try to determine if it sounds legitimate.

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Friday, July 31st, 2015 AT 12:56 AM

SANDIVQ

MEMBER
2 POSTS

It is hard to believe but it makes sense. I will stop stressing over this.

Thank you. I appreciate your quick response.

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Friday, July 31st, 2015 AT 6:31 PM

LEXI BRIANA

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi everyone!

So, unfortunately I’ve experienced unexplainable problems with my Boxster twice within six months. After it rains, my windows are going up and down by themselves, my lights are flashing, the interior soaked, the list goes on. I’ve taken it to Porsche to get repaired once again since Aug 2017, but now they’ve doubled the repair cost. I’ve reached out to Porsche corporate about this issue since I recently paid $4000 in Aug 2017 to get it fixed, and now it’s Mjar 2018 with the same issue at $8000.

Sadly, they stated that it isn’t apart of their 12 month warranty nor is it their problem. Thankfully, Ive kept all my service records because telling me that the water damage was my fault because I didn’t have it garaged is insane. The car is only worth about $20,000, but they expect me to kept filing claims because of their crappy design.

With that being said, I’m started chatting it up with an attorney over this matter and I will be filing a lawsuit with this company. If anyone whose experienced this issue, or know someone who has, would like to join this lawsuit, feel free to forward your information to me. I think we all deserve answers from Porsche and better customer service when we’re paying thousands of dollars for their vehicles.

Name: Alexis C.
Email:alexisbclark07@gmail. Com
SN: The car wasn’t even driven 1,000 miles in those six months, so you guys could understand my frustration.

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Tuesday, March 27th, 2018 AT 2:02 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
12,968 POSTS

Good luck with getting anything from an auto maker. I would say to look online for Porsche specific forums and search for the specific issue to find others who have the same problems and paid to get it repaired.

As for the leak itself, it sounds like the shop didn't find the correct leak(s) when they tried either time. When it has this issue is the car parked or do you get water entry only while driving? Does it leak every time it rains? What did they do to locate the leak (if you know) IE: pulled the seats/carpets/interior panels? Smoke or ultrasonic testing?
What year is it?

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Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 AT 5:17 PM

LEXI BRIANA

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi Steve,

Luckily my father in law has been a county court judge in Florida for a while, so he has experienced attorney friends to help with this issue. I believe that this issue after reading several Porsche forums happens ALL the time so Porsche should be well aware of what to fix. When they diagnosed my car, if they didn’t fix the “right drains” then that’s their problem, but I’m not going to keep paying to get it fixed when they’re suppose to be the “experts.”

Btw, the car is an 2009.

Luckily, I have about four people helping support this lawsuit, so Porsche can fight all they want, but it’s a crappy design on their part and anyone possessing a soft top convertible of any year will experience this issue. They need to recall all the vehicles and fix them, but I will not give up because it seems impossible. They’re smart. They don’t want bad publicity about their “luxury cars.”

Also, for the leak itself, they pulled my entire car apart and supposedly dried and clean my drains. They even ordered a new drain system. (This is what is on my service record) It has flooded every single time it got a heavy rain. It keep it in the shop regularly, so this issue should not keep occurring.