I purchased my 2004 Saab 9-5 in 2023. I was under the impression that everything was running and that drivability was proper. When I attempted to drive the automobile it would start, idle 7 minutes and stall. It would not start again for about 35 minutes. I tried to use it, and this behavior continued. Often, in traffic it would stall while I was moving at low speed, and moderate speed: Without warning, it cuts out and won't start for 40 minutes. I have spent money with my mechanic, over $1,000. I personally bought many parts: MAF sensor, fuel pump relay, fuel filter, and fuel pump. I replaced the Coolant Sensor. After all this the vehicle still stalls 5 minutes after warmup. If it drives to warm up, it stalls and won't restart for 40 minutes. After I replaced the Crankshaft Position Sensor, (CPS), it has never restarted. I bought 3, one a Bosch branded model, and It has never restarted. Many other drivers complain in forums, like Saab Forums, that they are experiencing the same problems. As you know, stalling at highway speeds can cause death. Clearly the problems with the Saab motorcars, produced, owned, and sold through General Motors, are something that poses a hazard, and should be repaired at GM dealership's expense. P.S. The vehicle's immobilizer device has caused my vehicle to not start at all. The key fobs have stopped functioning at all. I replaced the batteries, and they won't connect to the engine. The vehicle will crank, but no start. Battery runs down, with crank, but no start behavior. Can General Motors either: 1. replace the entire engine, 2. repair the "stall, no restart" situation, 3. moreover repair my seeming to be, "anti-theft system, no start" situation, called DICE/TWICEsystem, 4. achieving an actual fix for these older, but cherished sporting cars? Please check these links for confirming information: saabforums.com/forum/saab9-5-12/engine-turns-over--but-wont-start-9066/ www.saabcentral.com/threads/cranks-but-wont-start.689898/
NHTSA complaint #11660144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER DRIVING MY CAR TO MY DESTINATION, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK BUT THE CAR WON'T STAY IN PARK. THE CAR POPS OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE, THEN IT WON'T START WHEN I GET BACK INTO MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10618403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE OWNED A 2004 SAAB 9-5 SPORT COMBI WAGON SINCE 2006. TWICE, OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS (2011, 2014), MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD AN IGNITION SWITCH INCIDENT WHERE HE WAS THE DRIVER AND I WAS THE PASSENGER. IN BOTH INCIDENTS, I TURNED AROUND TO TALK TO MY DAUGHTER (2011) AND THEN DAUGHTERS (2014) AND INADVERTENTLY BUMPED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WITH MY KNEE. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE CAR BY THE CONSOLE. IT ONLY TOOK A SLIGHT TAP OF MY KNEE AND MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE GOING AT SPEEDS OF 75-80 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND GET THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10608119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ENGINE ON MY 4 CYLINDER SAAB 9-5 (2002) HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE OWNING THE CAR, BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN SLOWER TRAFFIC. THE FIRST TIME I REPORTED OFFICIALLY (2007) TO THE DEALER, "NO CAUSE WAS IDENTIFIED." I NOTICED THE LAST TIME THAT IT HAPPENED (AROUND MAY 2011) THAT IT SEEMED TO COINCIDE WITH INADVERTENTLY BUMPING INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH LIGHTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE SYMPTOMS MATCH THAT OF ANOTHER OWNER'S COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE FOR THE 2002 SAAB 9-5. I EXPECTED MY CAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL INVOLVING THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH BUT GOT NO NOTIFICATION. I HAVE ALSO PAID IN JUNE 2008 AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2009 AND JANUARY 2013 TO REPLACE/RESET A FAULTY IGNITION CASSETTE, WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF A RECALL CAMPAIGN AND NOT CHARGED TO ME, BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IN SUMMARY, DUE TO THE CAR SHUTTING OFF, I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE AND THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECENT GMC RECALL. AND THAT THE FAULTY IGNITION CASSETTE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND NOT REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE DOCUMENTED SERVICE RECORDS OF THE ABOVE INCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10596487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE MISFIRING, DUE TO COMMON DI CASSETTE ISSUES THAT PLAGUED OTHER MODELS, SOME OF WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. THIS SHOULDN'T FAIL AFTER ON 60,000, REGARDLESS OF AGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN IT'S EXORBITANT COST. THANKFULLY IT HASN'T FAILED ME ON THE HIGHWAY (YET).
NHTSA complaint #10522549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. EACH TIME OF REPLACEMENT THE ACTUAL PART HAS MELTED, BURNED OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES. THE PART IS MELTING AGAIN MAKING THIS THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT IN A 3 MONTH PERIOD. ENGINE - EXHAUST MANIFOLD/CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND ALL SAAB AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN NORTHERN CA. STATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET PART DUE TO BEING ON BACK ORDER AND NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART OUT OF STATE IN CHICAGO AT QUALITY AUTO PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10510972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS SPORADICALLY ON FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. ON 7/14 COOLANT LEVEL LOW INDICATION CAME ON. COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. FILLED, STARTED ENGINE, COOLANT LEAKED IN A STEADY STREAM FROM THE CAR. TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSED IGNITION CASSETTE AS FAULTY AND WATER VALVE (PART SERVICING HEATER CORE) AS FAULTY AND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO IGNITION CASSETTE. GOOD THERE IS A WARNING, BUT IT COULD BE MORE SPECIFIC, AS FAILURE OF THIS PART SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE. WATER VALVE LEAK COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING. BOTH PARTS ARE CRITICAL AND FAILURE IN A CAR WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE IGNITION CASSETTE FOR MODEL YEARS 1999-2002 WAS RECALLED DUE TO OVERHEATING. THIS WAS REPORTEDLY FIXED. NOW THE PART THAT HAS FAILED IN A FAIRLY YOUNG CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH NORMAL CHANNELS (SAAB PARTS USA) AND SHOPS ARE CHARGING INFLATED PRICES FOR THE PART (IN MY CASE $850 AS OPPOSED TO $465 LIST PRICE; AND MY DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SELL IT FOR LESS. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT PAY MORE THAN LIST AND I AM BEING ASKED TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE). THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM WHEN A PART STANDARD TO OVER A MILLION VEHICLES IS NOT AVAILABLE EXCEPT FROM SHOPS WHO HAVE COLLECTED THE PARTS IN INVENTORY AND ARE NOW SELLING THEM ON SOMETHING NOT UNLIKE A BLACK MARKET.
NHTSA complaint #10466591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR WAS BUILT IN 2002 AS WELL AS OTHERS REPORTED, I PURCHASED IT USED 3 YEARS AGO WITH 64K MILES. MY DIRECT IGNITION CONTROL IN 2003 9-5 LINEAR SEDAN 2.3T CEASED. UPON RESEARCH, MY DIC IS THE ORIGINAL PART 9197559 TK3.6 2000-2002 ARE RECALLED AND 'SOME' 2003 VIN'S. WITH THE OVER ABUNDANCE OF DIC FAILURES WITH THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER, THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED AS A WHOLE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE DIC, THE ENGINE IS LEAKING AT THE SEAMS OF THE HEAD FROM WHERE THE BOLTS ARE LOCATED, INSIDE THE DIC AND ENGINE SECTION IS PERFECTLY CLEAN. BOLTS IN THE HEAD OF THE ENGINE LOOSE, 1 WAS LIFTED OUT ENOUGH TO JUST REMOVE STRAIGHT OUT. CAR BLOWS BLUEISH SMOKE WHEN IT WAS STARTING, SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE (GM KNOWN ISSUE), OIL / ENGINE / HEAD KNOWN ISSUES, SUSPENSION KNOWN ISSUES (AMONG OTHER SERIOUS SAAB FAILURES). I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. THE KNOWN RECALLS MUST BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE PARTS, NOT JUST 'YEAR' OR 'SPECIFIC VIN'. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE, RELIABLE CAR BUT INSTEAD IS CAUSING SERIOUS FINANCIAL ISSUES. PLEASE HELP THE OWNERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS.. WE ALREADY PAID FOR THEIR 'BAILOUT'! SINCERELY~ CAN NOT TAKE ANY MORE REPAIRS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10432964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL OF THESE REPAIRS IN ABOUT A TWO YEAR PERIOD: ABS MODULE, OIL COOLER, THROTTLE BODY, UPPER RADIATOR HOSE, AND BOTH DIC CASSETTES. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY A $40K CAR. I HAVE LOVED SAAB'S SINCE MY CHILDHOOD, BUT THIS ONE CAR HAS COMPLETELY TURNED ME OFF OF THEM. FIRST THE ABS MODULE WENT, HAD IT REBUILT ($150) AND NO IMPROVEMENT. SO I BOUGHT A NEW ONE ($350). THEN JUST AFTER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY DIED ($450). THEN JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER THE OIL COOLER ($1100) WENT OUT. IT RAN SMOOTH FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT THEN BOTH DIC'S DIED AT THE SAME TIME ($850). IT IS TIME FOR THIS CAR TO GO AWAY, AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SAAB. WHY IS THERE A RECALL ON THE DIC FOR ALL SUBSEQUENT YEARS, BUT NO THE 1999'S? THANK SAAB!!!
NHTSA complaint #10432601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE IGNITION CASSETTE CRACKS CAUSING IGNITION PROBLEMS, STALLING, ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IT MAKES IT UNPREDICTABLE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL PASTED BELOW. WHY DOES IT NOT COVER THESE OTHER MODEL YEARS? NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V410000 WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV MANUFACTURER SAAB CARS USA, INC. RECALL DATE: OCT 23, 2006 POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 5078 DESCRIPTION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE SUMMARY CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS. CONSEQUENCE OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. REMEDY DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 2003. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. NOTE: THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 05V399).
NHTSA complaint #10424440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WITHOUT WARNING, ON TWO OCCASIONS, MY WIFE'S 2003 SAAB 9-5 AERO WAGON HAS STOPPING RUNNING WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR HAS BEEN FACTORY MAINTAINED AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. OBVIOUSLY, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE STOP RUNNING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR INSTALLED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT 6 WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10351082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 95. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE MINUTES WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE OPERATED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #10325172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-5. ON NOV 18, 2008, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY HEAD GASKET, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION CASSETTE WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V399000. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL TO THOSE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 05/13/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT LUNGED FORWARD AND THEN STALL. UPDATED 05/13/09.
NHTSA complaint #10266831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FIRST TIME THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WAS IN MID OCTOBER 2006, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF DRIVING. THERE WAS NO OTHER INDICATION OF A PROBLEM (NOISE, VIBRATION, CHANGE IN HANDLING, ETC). THE OIL HAD RECENTLY BEEN CHANGED, BUT IT WAS RECHECKED AND TOPPED OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ANYWAY. EVERYTHING SEEMED GOOD FOR ABOUT 20 MIN WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME BACK ON DURING A TURN. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT SO I PARKED THE CAR AND TOOK IT TO A SERVICE SHOP TWO DAYS LATER WHEN I RETURNED. IT WAS GIVEN AN OIL CHANGE AND AN OVERALL CHECK. THE OIL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON DURING THE TEST DRIVE. I DROVE IT HOME WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON IN THE FIRST PLACE. IN EARLY 2007, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOO. EVERYTHING WAS CHECKED OVER AND NOTHING FOUND WRONG. EVEN THE SENSORS WERE WORKING FINE. FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF, THE OIL AND ENGINE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF AT ODD INTERVALS ACCOMPANIED BY NO OTHER SIGNS. SOMETIMES THEY WOULD ONLY FLICKER ON AND OFF DURING A SHORT DRIVE AND OTHER TIMES THEY WOULD STAY ON FOR WEEKS AND THEN GOING OFF AGAIN FOR NO REASON. EACH TIME, THE OIL AND ENGINE WOULD BE LOOKED OVER AND NOTHING FOUND TO BE WRONG. THE LAST TIME THERE WAS AN ISSUE WAS ON JUNE 13TH 2008. I WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND THE OIL LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THIS TIME ACCOMPANIED BY A TICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AT THE NEXT EXIT AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. AFTER ANOTHER CHECKOVER, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE IS FAILING DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP AND THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT HAS 98,300 MILES ON IT. ALL REGULAR SERVICES WERE DONE, AND OIL CHANGES WERE DONE AT MORE FREQUENT INTERVALS THAN STATED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $5000.00 TO $9000.00 DEPENDING ON WHAT TYPE OF REPLACEMENT MOTOR WAS FOUND (NEW OR USED). THE VEHICLE IS STILL SITTING IN OUR GARAGE AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN. THE SAAB COMPANY REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10266149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER IGNITION CASSETTE WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN SHE STARTS HER VEHICLE, IT MOVES SLUGGISHLY AND MAKES NOISE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUMES EXIT THE EXHAUST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CASSETTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS HARMING THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #10252814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:45 PM I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN VEHICLE ENGINE STOP. THIS OCCURRED ON A RESIDENTIAL 4-LANE STREET WHILE TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2001 SAAB 95 ARC WAGON. . THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO GLIDE THE AUTO TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THERE WAS A CURB. I THUS REMAINED IN A LANE OF TRAFFIC WITH A DISABLED VEHICLE. THE CAUSE WAS A DEFECTIVE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. WHEN THIS BECOMES INOPERATIVE THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS ENGINE MANAGEMENT SHUTS DOWN AND DISABLES THE CAR. THIS REQUIRED A TOW TO THE DEALER REPAIR SHOP. AND IT REQUIRED A NEW CRANK SHAFT SENSOR PART TO BE INSTALLED. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MAIN IRK ABOUT THIS IS THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE REPLACED THIS PART IN 15 MONTHS. THE ORIGINAL SENSOR THAT CAME WIT THE CAR WHEN I PURCHASED IT NEW LASTED 87,199 MILES AND 5.5 YEARS. THE SECOND SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON JULY 16, 2007. THE THIRD SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT 101,507 MILES...A MERE 15 MONTHS AND 13 DAYS WITH A MILEAGE USAGE OF 14,308 MILES. HAD THIS FAILURE IN OCTOBER 2008 OCCURRED JUST 5 MINUTES BEFORE WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON A SIX-LANE INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH I WOULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM DRIFTING ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO PULL OVER FOR SAFETY. I BELIEVE THAT SAAB HAS A SUPPLIER PROVIDING THEM WITH AN INFERIOR PART.
NHTSA complaint #10247843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RANDOM ENGINE CUTOFF WHEN DRIVING, LOOSING POWER STEERING CAPABILITY AT THE SAME TIME. MOST OFTEN HAPPENED WHEN APPROACHING INTERSECTION AT THE TIME WHEN CAR SPEED WAS LOWERED. HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10246326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED THE CAR USED 5/23/08 WITH 42,700 MILES FROM SAAB DEALERSHIP. WITHIN A MONTH THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED RANDOMLY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON RANDOMLY. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULDN'T HURT ANYTHING AND SHOULD IT BECOME MORE FREQUENT, BRING THE CAR IN. 8/18 TOOK THE CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP WHEN THE LIGHT WAS COMING ON MORE FREQUENTLY. HEADLIGHT RELAY REPLACED, ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO A DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE. SAAB DEALERSHIP ORDERED THE PART WHICH WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER, PART CAME IN 10/9. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN 10/6 DUE TO STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER MOVED ABOVE THE MIDDLE. BYPASS VALVE REPLACED ($450 PARTS/LABOR). VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 48,500 MILES AND IS OUT OF MANUFACTURER WARRANTY AND REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER DEALERSHIPS LIMITED WARRANTY. AFTER AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO THE DI CASSETTE FAILURE I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2000-2002 MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 SAAB 9.5 AERO SEDAN.
NHTSA complaint #10245621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2004 SAAB 9-5 WAGON, WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN NOV 2004. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 31,800 MILES ON THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THIS FAILURE, WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JULY 2008. (IRONICALLY, LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER HAVING TAKEN THE CAR FOR ROUTINE SERVICE/OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION.) AFTER HAVING RUN 2 ERRANDS (I.E. TWO STOPS & STARTS), I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A RELATIVELY BUSY 4-LANE ROAD. JUST AFTER HAVING COME DOWN A HILL & ROUNDING A CORNER, WITH ESTIMATED SPEED 35MPH, THE CAR'S ENGINE CUT OUT, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, & THE BRAKES SEEMED NOT TO WORK APPROPRIATELY. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE IN THE RIGHT LANE, AND WOUND UP COASTING TO A STOP IN THE LANE OF TRAFFIC, AS I HAD SO LITTLE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO MOVE TO WHAT LITTLE SHOULDER WAS AVAILABLE (THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHILE ON A BRIDGE). THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC BEHIND ME BECAME AWARE THAT THE CAR HAD DIED, AND NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN 5 OR 10 SECONDS EARLIER, HOWEVER, IT WOULD ALMOST UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS I WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY UNABLE TO NAVIGATE THE TURN COMING DOWNHILL. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SAAB DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE "CRANK SENSOR FAILED ELECTRICALLY." FORTUNATELY, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY & WAS REPLACED. I WOULD NOT HAVE EVEN THOUGHT TO REPORT THIS HAD I NOT SEEN REPORTS OF SIMILAR FAILURES IN OTHER SAAB MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10237522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-5 (GARY FISHER EDITION). THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY. IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HE HAD TO UNPLUG THE FUSE TO THE ECM, RE-INSERT IT, THEN THE VEHICLE RESUMES NORMAL FUNCTION. HE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE TECHNICIANS CANNOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,233.
NHTSA complaint #10236290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.