1999 Saab 9-3

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Risk. WITHOUT THIS LABEL, SOMEONE MAY USE THE INCORRECT SPECIFICATION BRAKE FLUID, GET DIRT INTO THE RESERVOIR, OR ALLOW MOISTURE INTO THE BRAKE FLUID, RESULTING IN LESS EFFECTIVE BRAKING AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE MAILED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. FAILURES OF THE "EASY ENTRY" CABLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER MANUAL SEATS CAN CAUSE THE SEAT FORE/AFT ADJUSTABLE MECHANISM TO BE UNLOCKED.

Risk. SINCE THE ANCHOR POINTS FOR THE LAP PORTION OF THE FRONT SAFETY BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY, RELEASE OF THE FORE/AFT LOCKING MECHANISM REDUCES THE RESTRAINT CAPABILITY OF THE SAFETY BELTS IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CABLE AND SPRING ASSEMBLY.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Risk. THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

TODAY, SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, AN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT IN MOTION, AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS SEATED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED AND ITS SEAT BELT WAS UNFASTENED, HOWEVER A LAPTOP AND SOME OTHER LIGHTWEIGHT OBJECTS WERE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT CRASHED OR DRIVEN OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER, AND TORSO, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. *TT

JUST AS I PARKED MY CAR, MY SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR DEPLOYED/EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE/LEFT EAR AND NECK WERE INJURED.

WHILE PARKED, I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE CAR. MY PASSENGER SIDE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED UPON ENGINE STARTING. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, TINNITUS, AND INNER EAR DAMAGE FROM THE AIRBAG EXPLODING. TOOK CAR TO A GM DEALERSHIP WITH A SAAB TECHNICIAN TO HAVE CAR DIAGNOSED TO EXPLAIN WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED. NO DIAGNOSIS MADE. BUT THEY DID READ ERROR CODE SAYING AIRBAG SENSOR COMMUNICATION FAILURE AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT PRIOR TO INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO SERVICE CODES PRIOR TO INCIDENT EITHER. (I HAD CAR CHECKED 1 WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT)

CAR WAS SITTING IDLING AT KERBSIDE WHILE DROPPING MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN. I WAS TALKING TO MY CHILD WHO WAS JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR. PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BY ITSELF WITH NO IMPACTS PREVIOUS IMPACTS OR ANY MOVEMENT OTHER THAN ONE MINUTE PREVIOUS THE SEAT WAS TILTED FORWARD AND THEN BACK TO LET KIDS OUT OF BACKSEAT. THIS WAS SECONDS AND INCHES AWAY FROM RESULTING IN A DEATH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE LEFT ARM, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

DRIVERS SEAT BELT STUCK IN RETRACTED POSITION. UNABLE TO USE STUCK BELT. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AS A RESULT OF THIS. NO SEATBELT OR AIRBAG. THIS IS A CONVERTIBLE NOT COVERED IN THE CURRENT RECALL BUT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SINCE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS IS DANGEROUS, THE VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE. *TR

GOT INTO MY CAR, TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND THEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS PARKED, THE AIRBAG JUST WENT OFF FOR NO REASON. *TR

PREMATURE DIC FAILURE. CONSISTANTLY BURNS OUT SPARK PLUGS. *TR

FOR MY 1999 SAAB 9-3, BASE ENGINE, I REPLACED THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE, AT 128,800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE PART ALONE WAS $488 AND THE TOTAL INSTALLATION COST AND PARTS (INCLUDING A HOSE AND FOUR SPARK PLUGS) WAS $760. MODEL YEARS 2000 THROUGH 2002 WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PART. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. LATER THAT DAY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. HER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND ENSURE MAXIMUM PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE WIRING WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 141,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START HIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE CRANKED, BUT HE RECEIVED NO SPARK. HE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. HE ALSO REMOVED THE SPARK PLUG WIRES AND NOTICED THAT VARIOUS PARTS WERE CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE IGNITION. A JUNKYARD MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE), WHICH PERTAINED TO THE 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3'S. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $464. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,356.

ENABLED DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER FOR FIRST TIME SINCE LAST WINTER/SPRING. WHILE DRIVING, LEFT SIDE OF MY LOWER BODY STARTED BURNING, AND I SMELLED SMOKE. PARKED CAR. DIME SIZED HOLE WITH SMOLDERING EDGES WAS PRESENT ON MY DRIVERS SEAT. UPON TOUCHING IT, MY FINGER TIP WAS BURNED. IMMEDIATELY DISABLED SEAT HEATER AND STOPPED CAR. CONTACTED SAAB USA. REFERRED ME TO DEALER WHERE I AM TAKING CAR TOMORROW. THEY WILL DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AND DECIDE IF THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT. IN MY OPINION, AND BASED ON COMPLAINTS I'VE READ FROM OTHERS, IT IS. VERY SCARY SITUATION. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 SAAB 9-3 WITH MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL. THE BLOWER SWITCH WAS ERRATIC FOR A FEW WEEKS (ON/OFF POSITION SHIFTED) BUT LAST NIGHT DURING A SHORT JOURNEY THE BLOWER WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND A BAD ODOR BECAME PRESENT IN THE CABIN. THIS MORNING I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THAT THE BLOWER SWITCH AND WIRING CONNECTOR AND WIRES HAVE MELTED. IT IS LIKELY THAT IF THE JOURNEY HAD BEEN LONGER A FIRE WOULD HAVE RESULTED. THE SWITCH AND CONNECTOR AND WIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE REASON FOR THE BLOWER SWITCH ERRATIC BEHAVIOR NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB

THE DRIVER OF THE 1999 SAAB 9-3 WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE ON MA RTE. 128 SOUTH. HER SON WAS IN A CHILD CARSEAT TIGHTLY BELTED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER. THE SWITCH ON THE BELT BUCKLE WAS SET TO THE "CHILD SEAT" SETTING. THE DRIVER SIGNALED AND BEGAN TO CHANGE LANES TO THE MIDDLE LANE WHICH WAS CLEAR OF TRAFFIC. AS SHE WAS SHIFTING LANES, ANOTHER VEHICLE, A LIGHT-COLORED SEDAN, BEGAN TO MOVE SHARPLY INTO THE MIDDLE LANE FROM THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE, AND HER CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL IN A FRONT-END COLLISION. THE DRIVER WAS THROWN FORWARD BUT WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT, WHICH HELD HER. HER AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE. HER SON'S CAR SEAT DID NOT REMAIN IN PLACE, BUT WENT FORWARD AND TIPPED OVER ON ITS SIDE, FACING THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR, SO THAT WHEN THE DRIVER OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR TO CHECK ON HER SON, AT FIRST SHE COULDN'T SEE HIM, AND SHE HAD TROUBLE EXTRACTING THE CAR SEAT. AN OFF-DUTY FIREMAN STOPPED TO HELP, CUT THE SEAT BELT AND EXTRACTED THE SEAT. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND TREATED FOR WHIPLASH; HER SON DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE SUSTAINED INJURY. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURER, AND THE INSURER TOWED THE CAR AND WANTS TO DISPOSE OF IT. WE (THE DRIVER AND HER HUSBAND) CONTACTED SAAB SEVERAL TIMES TO ASK THAT THE VEHICLE BE EXAMINED PRIOR TO DISPOSAL TO ADDRESS CONCER

ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 6, 2006, MY 1999 SAAB 9-3 WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO WARM IT UP TO TAKE MY FIVE YEAR OLD TO SCHOOL. MY 5 YEAR OLD SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AS THE CAR WAS WARMING UP. WITHOUT NOTICE OR PROVOCATION THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY 5 YEAR OLDS FACE. THIS VIOLENT EXPLOSION CAUSED A SCRATCH AND REDNESS ON MY DAUGHTERS FACE. UPON SPEAKING WITH SAAB I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING, AND UPON THEIR INSTRUCTION - I TOOK THE CAR THE LOCAL SAAB DEALER, WHO UPON EXAMINING THE CAR SAID THAT THE REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING IS INCONCLUSIVE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. SAAB IS GIVING US THE RUNAROUND, AND WE NEED SOMEONE TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS INCIDENT. I AM HOPING THAT FILING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP. *JB

THE KNOBS FOR THE HEAT, AIR, AND WHERE THE HEAT AND AIR GOES BREAKS OFF! I HAVE REPLACED EACH ONE ONCE, AND THE COST WAS 135.00. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH ON A SNOW COVERED HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE RECOGNITION CASSETTE MODULE FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 11/3/2006 - ON 11/24/05 THE VEHICLE'S DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN THE SNOW. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE THE REPAIR FACILITY ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TWO OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT RAW FUEL DAMAGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DURING THE INITIAL FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, MY 1999 SAAB 9-3 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF A PROBEM UNTIL A SINGLE "CLUNKING NOISE" WAS DETECTED AND THEN THERE WAS NO POWER IN 5TH OR 4TH GEAR. BY THE TIME I DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR, THE ENGINE HAD STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY/ALTERNATOR, AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS LIT. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESARTED. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DISTRESS LANE AND SUMMON HELP (911). THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIRS. THE LOCAL SAAB DEALER DETERMINED THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) HAD FAILED (BURNED UP). THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED ME OF A RECENT RECALL (I BELIEVE IT'S 05V-399) FOR THE 2000 - 2002 MODEL YEARS AND THAT PERHAPS THE IDM ON MY CAR HAD A SIMILAR DEFECT. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW IDM (REPLACEMENT PART 55-561-132) AND 4 NEW SPARK PLUGS WHICH HAD BEEN FOULED FROM MY REPEATED EFFORTS TO RESTART THE CAR. I DID NOT RECEIVE OLD PARTS BACK.

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED ON MY 1999 SAAB 9-3. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND I FEEL THIS RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE '99 MODEL AS WELL BECAUSE THIS PART HAS A LESS THAN REASONABLE LIFE. *JB

THE DIRECT IGNITION FAILED ON MY 1999 SAAB 93. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON WHICH ALERTED US TO THE PROBLEM. MY AUTHORIZED SAAB MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS THE WISEST COURSE TO REPLACE THIS FAULTY PART BEFORE IT FAILED COMPLETELY. THE COST TO DO SO $500 OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO REPLACE THIS INHERENTLY FAULTY PART. *JB

1999 SAAB 9-3 IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE. *JB

I BELIEVE MY 1999 SAAB 9-3 SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECENT SAAB IGNITION MODULE RECALLS, MY IGNITION MODULE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE 2000 MODELS, THE RECENT FAILURE OF THIS PART INVOLVES SAFETY FACTORS SAME AS THE 2000 MODELS, REPLACEMENT COST IS OVER 400.00 AND SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. *JB

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE) FAILED. ENGINE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. CAR WAS TOWED, EVALUATED, AND THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE THAT FAILED WAS IDENTICAL TO THE IDM THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL FOR 2000-2002 MODEL YEARS. I AM REQUESTING THAT THE RECALL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 1999 MODEL YEAR. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAILED PART. *NM

ON THURSDAY JAN 26 2006 AT APROX 12 PM I PARKED PUT CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND WENT INTO THE BANK IN CANTON, GEORGA. ON RETURNING I GOT INTO CAR, PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION ,AND AS I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DESTROYING THE DASHBOARD/DAMAGING THE WINDSHIELD AND BLOWING OUT THE RADIO AND VARIOUS CONTROL KNOBS.*AK

NOTE: THIS IS THE EXACT PART AND SYMPTOM DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V399000 FOR 2000-2003 YEARS. 1) I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL, AND THE CAR STOPPED DRIVING. 2) ONCE IT CAME TO A STOP, I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR. ) THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED, AND THE SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE SAME PART THAT IS COVERED IN THE 2000-2003 RECALL. *AK

DIC (DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE) FAILURE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE IDM CASSETTE OR IGNITION COIL. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE IGNITION CASSETTE FAILING AND THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, AS WELL. APPEARS THAT THERE IS A PENDING RECALL ON THE 2000-2002 MODELS AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RECALL EXTEND TO THE 1999 MODELS; SAME MODULE. I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE PENDING RECALL ON THE 2000-2002 MODELS EXCEPT THAT I HAVE A FRIEND WHO RECEIVED A LETTER AND I DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE. PLEASE ADVISE WHY THE DEFECT INVESTIGATION PE05017 WAS CLOSED PENDING GM'S ACTIONS ON THE 2000-2002 MODELS. THE 1999 MODEL AND ANY OTHER AFFECTED MODELS SHOULD BE COVERED BY ANY RECALL, AS WELL. I'M SURE MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF ABILITY TO REPORT ISSUE AND REALIZE THAT IT IS A MAJOR DEFECT. PLEASE ADVISE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS WORKING PROPERLY AT THIS TIME. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. HE TRIED TO RESTART IT TEN MINUTES LATER BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR LATER MODEL VEHICLES AND THE PART WAS THE SAME UNIT THAT WAS IN THIS VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB UPDATED 11/29/2005. *NM

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (AKA DIRECT IGNITION MODULE, IDM, DI, DIC) HAS DIED ON MY 1999 9-3 2 TIMES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW, IT NOW HAS 66,000 MILES. WHEN THE DI CASSETTE DIES THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUTS DOWN WHICH CAN RESULT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF ONE IS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. MY DI CASSETTE FIRST DIED AT 50,000 MILES. THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT START, NO PRIOR WARNINGS. A BRAND NEW DI CASSETTE FROM SAAB WAS PUT IN. THE 2ND DI CASSETTE DIED AT 63,000 MILES, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING AGAIN. THE CAR SHUT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING, AND I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SINCE I WAS GOING SLOW. DI CASSETTE WAS REPLACED AGAIN, SO I AM CURRENTLY ON DI CASSETTE #3. THE PART IS UNCHANGED, SO I FEAR IT COULD DIE AGAIN AT ANY MOMENT. I'VE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR ALL OF THE DI CASSETTES. *JB

IN THE COUPLE OF MONTHS PREVIOUS TO THIS INCIDENT, MY VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON THREE TIMES, STAYED ON FOR A DAY OR TWO, AND THEN SHUT OFF. EACH TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON (FIRST IT BLINKS, THEN REMAINS STEADY UNTIL TURNING ITSELF OFF) I EXPERIENCED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SOME KIND OF IGNITION FAILURE. ON THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING IN THE PASSING LANE HEADING NORTH/EAST ON ROUTE 365 FROM VERONA TO ROME, NY WHEN I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE IGNITION FAILURE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (FIRST BLINKING, THEN STEADY) AND I HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. I MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT LANE PREPARING TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER, BUT THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS AND I CONTINUED ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL IT SHUT ITSELF OFF LATER IN THE DAY AS I WAS RETURNING HOME (A TWO AND ONE HALF HOUR TRIP). I PLAN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED.*JB

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-70, THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED ON MY 1999 SAAB 9-3. THE ENGINE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY WHICH AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO A SIDE STREET. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE SAAB PARTS DEALER, BOUGHT ANOTHER FOR AROUND $375, AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. ONCE THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. *NM

DASH INFORMATION DISPLAY PIXELS BURN OUT/DISAPPEAR. WHILE ANNOYING FOR TIME AND RADIO DISPLAY, THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS THIS DISPLAY REPORTS TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE (IN ICY CONDITIONS) AND MECHANICAL/FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. IF THE DISPLAY IS ILLEGIBLE A DRIVER COULD MISINTERPRET A PROBLEM.

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN HOME DRIVEWAY. DRIVER SHUT HIS DOOR NORMALLY AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED, HITTING PASSENGER WHO WAS STILL GETTING ADJUSTED IN HER SEAT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND THE COMPUTER RECORDED A CODE REFERRING TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. *AK

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHEN THE FUSE TO THE FUEL PUMP BLOWS. *MR THE MECHANICS SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. *SC *JB

PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG SYSTEM IN 1999 SAAB.*MR THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP TRIED FOUR TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THEY DID NOT REPAIR ANYTHING, THEY JUST TURNED OFF THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE LAST TIME THEY REPLACED A PART, HOWEVER THEY PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

THE AIR BAG ALARM IS "ON" IN THE CAR, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT WILL BE IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT WITHIN THE LAST 15 MONTHS! APPARENTLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT?? *JB SINCE THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK WHILE THE LIGHT IS "ON", AND SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH A SAFETY FEATURE, IT COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. AFTER ALL, THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON. *JB

HEATER BOX FROZE UP UPONE TURNING THE CONTROL DIAL TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD...INTERNET DISCUSSION BOARDS SAY SAAB KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO FIX PROPERLY AND PERMANENTLY...PROBABLY TAKING THIS TO SMALL CLAIMS BASED UPON WHAT I'VE READ...

I WANTED TO ALERT YOU TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE '99 SAAB 9-3. THEY HAVE A CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM CONTROLS TO BECOME SO STIFF THAT IT CAUSES THE KNOB TO SNAP OFF RENDERING THE SYSTEM USELESS. SAAB IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRES THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS THAT IN THEIR TERMS "MAY" SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. THESE INCLUDE REPLACING THE KNOB ($10.00), THE SHAFT ($200.00), AND THE VENTILATION CONTROL BOX ($600.00). IT APPEARS THAT SAAB CONSIDERS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS TO BE A LUXURY NOT A NECESSARY SAFETY SYSTEM. I THINK THAT YOUR AGENCY WOULD DISAGREE WITH SAAB ASSESSMENT AND SHOULD REQUIRE A MORE PROACTIVE CORRECTIVE PLAN FROM THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. *LA

THE CONSUMER HAD JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK WITH FUEL AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING PROBLEM. *NLM

THE CONTROL KNOB FOR THE DEFROSTER/AIR DIRECTION HAS BROKEN 7 TIMES. THE SAAB DEALER, SAAB NASHUA NORTH SAID IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THAT YEAR AND MODEL. SAAB HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR NOW THAT THE WARRENTY HAS RUN OUT.*AK

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IF TRAFFIC COMES TO A SUDDEN STOP, BRAKING IS HORRIBLE. THE CAR DOES NOT GRIP THE ROAD IT SLIDES. WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, CAR HESITATES FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN JERKS INTO ACTION. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR IS LITERALLY FALLING APART PIECE BY PIECE. *NLM

CRADLE BOLT HEAD (SAAB PART NUMBER 43-45-674) WAS FOUND UNDER LEFT SIDE OF CAR. IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN FRACTURED. CAUSE UNKNOWN, BUT DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO POT HOLE. IT COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN OVER TOQURED AT INSTALLATION/SERVICE, OR DEFETIVE BOLT.

99 SAAB 93 - AT 60K MILES..NEEDED TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD...TURN THE VENTILATOR CONTROL AND IT SNAPPED OFF...SAAB TELLING ME THEY ISSUED DEALERS A BULLETIN ON THIS..REPAIR COST ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600 AND UP TO $2000.00 US DOLLARS...WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE REPAIR FOR 1 YEAR INFERRING THAT AT 120K MILES THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN...PERSONALLY FEEL THE ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVELY ENGINEERED . VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT THE COST TO REPAIR CAN APPROACH 1/5 THE CAR'S BLUE BOOK VALUE...VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL OCCUR AGAIN AFTER BEING REPAIRED AND PUT MY SAFETLY IN JEAPORDY. *JB

TURNED SWITCH TO ON POSITION, VEHICLE STARTED UP AND BACKED INTO A GARAGE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES WHEN STARTING ENGINE, THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS TO BE FULLY DEPRESSED. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED CLUTCH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED TO START VEHICLE. NLM *JB

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT, AND CUSTOMER LOST CONTROL. BUT, WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF ROAD. CONTACT DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE TIRES AND RIMS WERE DEFECTIVE (MICHELIN PILOT 225/50R16). NLM

WHEN TURNING THE DIAL WHICH CONTROLS THE DIRECTION OF VENTILATION OUTPUT (WINDSHIELD/DASH VENTS/FLOOR VENTS), THE ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE DASHBOARD BREAKS, NOT ALLOWING YOU TO CONTROL VENTILATION OUTPUT. THIS KEEPS THE DRIVER FROM BEING ABLE TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS OF FOG. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS BROKEN, AND THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***739722