34 of the 227 complaints about the 2006 Saab 9-3 are about the braking system — 15% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 33,200 miles.
34
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN DRIVE THERE IS INTERNAL FUEL ISSUE CAUSING ENGINE TO MISFIRE AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE
NHTSA complaint #11173160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE THIS MORNING THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE VERY DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE AND HAD TO FORCIBLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE (WHICH STILL DID NOT PROVIDE FULL BRAKING FORCE) AND AVOID RUNNING INTO THE PARKED VEHICLE BEHIND ME. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. TYPICALLY OCCURS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR SOME TIME (E.G. OVER NIGHT OR DURING THE WORK DAY) - JUST REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND THIS HAD ABSOLUTELY NO POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE PROBLEM. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10644438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MULTIPLE SHORTS INDICATED ON SID. ORIGINAL MESSAGE "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FAILURE". THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONGST SAAB OWNERS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. OCCASIONALLY, AN ASSOCIATED AN ABS FAILURE INDICATION WILL APPEAR WHILE TRAVELING. HAVE NOT NOTICED A LOSS IN ABS FUNCTION YET, BUT IT WAS DRY WHEN THESE SHORTS OCCURRED. THE FAILURE IS ASSUMED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION AND ITS USE HAS BEEN LOST.
NHTSA complaint #10592938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AFTER SITTING, THE BRAKES HAD GREATLY INCREASED PEDAL EFFORT TO APPLY AND GREATLY REDUCED BREAKING RESULT. THE CAR FAILED TO STOP AND STRUCK A POLE WHILE BACKING UP.
NHTSA complaint #10542489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
2 INCIDENTS OCCURRED. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 1 WEEK AND, OCCASIONALLY ON COLD STARTS, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP AND STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD TO DEPRESS MAKING BRAKING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. ADDITIONALLY, ON OCCASION, IF I ACCELERATE AND THEN ATTEMPT TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS MAKING STOPPING DIFFICULT. THIS HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT DURING HGH TRAFFIC SITUATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10532103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE HAD MY 2006 SAAB 9-3 IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR AN ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/STABILITY CONTROL FAILURE. EACH TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TELL ME THAT THE COST IS AROUND $385 FOR A HUB ASSEMBLY, NO LABOR INCLUDED. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE WIRE LEADING TO THE WHEEL CORRODES. NOW MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY WANT TO PUT IN A REAR HARNESS FOR THE SAME SYSTEM AND WANT TO CHARGE ME $315 JUST FOR THE PART, DOESN'T INCLUDE LABOR. THIS PART HAS BEEN FOUND FOR AROUND $120 ELSEWHERE. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS THE CAR ACTS AS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ANIMAL WHEN IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN 40 DEGREES F OR LOWER.
NHTSA complaint #10496655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A VERY ROUGH IDLE. THEN WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO REVERSE FROM A COLD START THE BRAKES WOULD BE INOPERABLE (BRAKE WOULD NOT PRESS DOWN). THROWING CAR INTO A DIFFERENT GEAR WAS ONLY WAY TO STOP CAR. VERY SCARY WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE ONE MORNING AND REVERSED INTO TRAFFIC BUT COULDN'T STOP. TOOK TO SERVICE REPAIR TO FIND THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED REPLACED. SAID THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE FAILURE IN CAR OF THIS AGE/MILEAGE WHO HAS VERY REGULAR SERVICE RECORD.
NHTSA complaint #10472330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON JULY 22ND 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 EST, I STARTED MY CAR, A 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO SPORT SEDAN AND PLACED IT INTO REVERSE TO EXIT MY GARAGE/ DRIVEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. AS I NEARED THE STREET I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN AND ENTER THE STREET BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TO BE INEFFECTIVE AND I ENDED UP PUTTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND ENTERING THE STREET AT AN ANGLE. AFTER I HAD STOPPED IN THE STREET I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND SHORTLY (2MIN) I WAS ON MY WAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO MY SAAB DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. DURING THE REST OF THE SUMMER I DROVE THAT CAR I HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. (IT IS MY PARENTS CAR THAT I DROVE WHEN I WAS HOME FOR THE SUMMER). I LATER FOUND OUT THAT MY PARENTS ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM INTERMITTENTLY SO I BEGAN SEARCHING ONLINE AND FOUND OTHERS THAT HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND REFERENCED A REPORT PE08005 WHICH SEEMED TO DESCRIBE MY PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THIS REPORT TO THE SAAB DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER SEEN IT AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10405979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOW OF VEHICLE POWER BRAKE ASSIST. AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, WHEN THE CAR WAS FIRST STARTED THE POWER BRAKE ASSIST WOULD NOT WORK OR WOULD WORK AT A REDUCED RATE. THERE WERE NOT CHECK ENGINE OR BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY US OF A FAILURE. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. IT TOOK NEARLY 20 FT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. HAD THIS OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT OR IN ANOTHER LOCATION WERE A PERSON OR VEHICLE WAS CLOSE BY AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED I BELIEVE THE PART # IS 12822387. HAD A NOTIFICATION BEEN GIVEN THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE SUCH AS A CHECK ENGINE OR BRAKE LIGHT, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS BIG OF AN ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10395349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON A COLD START, THE BRAKES FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10375328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE BROKE APART, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER AND CHECK ENGINE FAULT. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AFTER INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10341358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON COLD STARTUP THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER ASSISTED BRAKES. THIS HAS LEAD TO NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE YOU GET IN THE CAR AND BEGIN TO BACK OUT AND NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT TAKES NEARLY A MINUTE AFTER STARTUP OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT IS SAFE TO PUT IT IN GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10336065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FOUND MY CAP TO MY BRAKE RESERVOIR CRACKED OPEN LIKE A TIN CAN ABOVE THE THREADS. THE PLASTIC LITERALLY SPLIT IN TWO. THE CAP STILL COULD BE TWISTED ON AND OFF EASILY, BUT WOULD NO LONGER PREVENT BRAKE FLUID FROM ESCAPING. CAP WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. I HAVE HEARD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH MY CAR POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE TURBO. 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO 2.8L V6.
NHTSA complaint #10324056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. MORE NOTICEABLE AT COLD STARTS PULLING OUT FORWARD OR BACKWARD. BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND WE PARKED THE CAR AND CONTACTED THE DEALER. THEY HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR FOR 4 WEEKS AND ARE WAITING ON A PART FROM THE FACTORY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THIS CAR AND COULD VERY EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES OR DEATH. I AM A MALE AND IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO GET THE CAR STOPPED ON AT LEAST 2 OCCASIONS. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON ONE OCCASION TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS CAR HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS A VACUUM LINE ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER BUT THE REPLACEMENT MUST COME FROM SAAB. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10293380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2006 SAAB AERO V6, AT A COLD START AND WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES VERY HARD AND THE CAR WILL NOT STOP FOR 15 -20 FT.
NHTSA complaint #10285770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SIMILAR ISSUE TO NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION # PE08005. LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST AFTER A COLD START UP AND REVERSING. THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STOP, REQUIRING HIGH PEDAL PRESSURE, UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED UP FOR ~30 SECONDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS. IT IS MORE PROMINENT AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS. ALSO WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, WHEN A BUMP IS HIT WHILE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, BRAKES MAKE A METAL-ON-METAL GRINDING SOUND AND THE BRAKING ACTION DOES NOT WORK UNTIL ADDITIONAL PRESSURE IS APPLIED. THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN BRAKING ON SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS SUCH AS SNOW OR RAIN. THIS CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN MY CAR DID NOT STOP FOR ANOTHER 10 FEET THAN INTENDED AND ENTERED AN INTERSECTION ON A RED LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10279733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IMMEDIATELY, THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE IDLING WITHIN THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,550.
NHTSA complaint #10278816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST AFTER A COLD START UP. THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STOP, REQUIRING HIGH PEDAL PRESSURE, UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED UP FOR ~30 SECONDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10278365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON COLD START, MY HYDRAULIC BRAKES FAILS TO OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10231436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CAR WILL NOT STOP WHEN IN REVERSE AFTER MORNING START-UP. NO BRAKING POWER IN REVERSE EVEN AT IDLE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED 3 TIMES BY DEALERSHIP. CAR IN AGAIN FOR SAME PROBLEM ONLY 5 DAYS AFTER PREVIOUS "FIX" IN SHOP AGAIN NOW ALMOST 2 WEEKS AS OF TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #10231479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I OWN A 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO SPORT COMBI. TWO WEEKS AGO, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ROCK HARD AT THE TOP OF THE STROKE. IT TOOK ME NEARLY 75 FEET TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 2-3 MPH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE BRAKE BOOSTER IS BACK ORDERED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS COMPLAINT. EACH TIME THE AUX. BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10230224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN A BUMP IS HIT WHILE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, BRAKES MAKE A METAL-ON-METAL GRINDING SOUND. WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED AFTER BRAKING (PULLING INTO OR OUT OF PARKING SPACE) METALLIC CLICKING SOUND IS HEARD. BRAKES WORK BETTER AFTER CAR IS WARMED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10227403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST AFTER A COLD START UP. THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STOP, REQUIRING HIGH PEDAL PRESSURE, UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED UP FOR ~30 SECONDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THE CAR HAS BEEN LEFT WITH 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, TO ALLOW THEM TO OBSERVE AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. I HAVE GIVEN THE DEALERS INFO ABOUT THE CURRENT NHTSA INVESTIGATION (PE08005) PERTAINING TO THIS SAME COMPLAINT FOR THIS MODEL CAR FROM SEVERAL OTHER SOURCES, AND NOTED THAT EARLIER MODELS OF THIS CAR WERE RECALLED FOR A (POSSIBLY) SIMILAR DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10226404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE PUMPED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, SHE ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER PE08005 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATE 04-02-08 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE MAST CYLINDERE. UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10220221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE PUMPED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, SHE ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER PE08005 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATE 04-02-08 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE MAST CYLINDERE. UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10220221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO HAS A SERIES OF UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING MOTIONS. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKING SENSOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED - HOWEVER BRAKE PRESSURE AND CONTROL ARE UNPREDICTABLE. LETTING UP ON THE BRAKE SLOWLY RESULTS IN A LOSS OF ALL BRAKE PRESSURE IN A NON-PROGRESSIVE FASHION. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES THAT ONLY BY PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE STOP THAT THE CAR CAN BE HELD IN PLACE WHEN IDLING.
NHTSA complaint #10218466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MY 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO HAS A SERIES OF UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING MOTIONS. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKING SENSOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED - HOWEVER BRAKE PRESSURE AND CONTROL ARE UNPREDICTABLE. LETTING UP ON THE BRAKE SLOWLY RESULTS IN A LOSS OF ALL BRAKE PRESSURE IN A NON-PROGRESSIVE FASHION. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES THAT ONLY BY PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE STOP THAT THE CAR CAN BE HELD IN PLACE WHEN IDLING.
NHTSA complaint #10218466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
MY 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO HAS A SERIES OF UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING MOTIONS. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKING SENSOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED - HOWEVER BRAKE PRESSURE AND CONTROL ARE UNPREDICTABLE. LETTING UP ON THE BRAKE SLOWLY RESULTS IN A LOSS OF ALL BRAKE PRESSURE IN A NON-PROGRESSIVE FASHION. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES THAT ONLY BY PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE STOP THAT THE CAR CAN BE HELD IN PLACE WHEN IDLING.
NHTSA complaint #10218466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
INTERMITTENT LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST ON COLD START, GIVING VERY HARD PEDAL. RECOVERS WITH SEVERAL PUMPS OF BRAKE PEDAL, OR SEVERAL SECONDS OF IDLE TIME. BEGAN ABOUT MID-JUNE, 2007, AND WAS REPORTED TO DEALER. BEHAVIOR IS NOT CONSISTENT, AND MAY VARY WITH WEATHER CONDITIONS. BARELY AVOIDED A LOW-SPEED ACCIDENT IN A PARKING DECK FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER SPECIFICALLY TO IDENTIFY / REPAIR PROBLEM ON 11-7-07. DEALER RESPONSE HAS BEEN POSITIVE, BUT UNABLE TO LOCATE SPECIFIC PROBLEM. DEALER FOUND THAT OTHER SAAB 9-3 AERO (V6) MODELS EXHIBITED SIMILAR CHARACTERISTIC, INCLUDING BRAND NEW 08. FURTHER PURSUIT WITH SAAB GOT NEGATIVE RESPONSE, AS DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, AND REPORTED THE CAR "NORMAL" IN THAT IT BEHAVED AS OTHER SIMILAR MODELS ON COLD START. I THEN REPORTED TO A SAAB OWNER WEBSITE, AND RESPONSES FROM OTHERS LED TO COVERAGE OF CURRENT NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE08005.
NHTSA complaint #10217481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FEAR OF ACCIDENT COMING FROM BRAKE BOOSTER CONTINUING TO GO BAD IN MY CAR. BRAKE WILL STIFFEN AND NOT STOP CAR - WILL ONLY SLOW DOWN. CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT 5 TIMES SINCE NOV. 2006 FOR THIS CONDITION. GM WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BUT REPLACE THE PART AND IT HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES, REPLACED 2 TIMES AFTER COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10215234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.