2001 Saab 9-5 complaints

FUEL PUMP SPRANG A LEAK PUMPING GASOLINE UNDER VEHICLE AS LONG AS ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING. CAR WAS FLATBEDDED TO DEALER. NEW FUEL PUMP COST $810.00. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER A SHORT DRIVE THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL. HE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A SPOT OF FUEL. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THERE WAS A LEAK WHERE THE FUEL PUMP COMES OUT OF THE GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE 2001 SAAB 9-5 SE (V6 ENGINE) WAGON AT 45-50 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DECELERATED. I KNEW ABOUT DI CASSETTES FAILURE AND STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR OR AFTER THIS EPISODE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL SAAB DEALER. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART FOR FREE DUE TO FUTURE RECALL (DI CASSETT ONLY). THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DAMAGED DUE FAILURE OF THE IDM TOO, BUT IT DOES NOT COVERED AND IT WAS REPLACED AT COST OF $2026.48. +10 DAYS I WAS WATING FOR PARTS. THIS CAR HAS HAD OTHER "SMALL" ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LIKE MULTIPLE LIGHT BULB BURN OUTS, LOSS OF PIXELS ON THE SID DISPLAY, SUDDEN INCREASE BRIGHTNESS OF ALL LIGHTS, FAILURE OF REAR SEATS HEATER. *NM

MY 2001 SAAB 9-5 STALLED ONE DAY ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER I REACHED A SHOPPING MALL. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SAAB DEALER AND THEY REPLACED MY IGNITION SYSTEM FOR A CHARGE CLOSE TO 600 DOLLARS. THEY SPOKE TO ME THAT IT WAS AN ISOLATED EVENT. FROM THE RECALL NOTICE YOU RELEASE I REALIZE THAT IT WAS INTRINSIC MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GOOD WORK. I HOPE I WILL GET A REFUND. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 95. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE AND REPAIR. THE INVOICE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED LUGS: BOLTS. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL. *AK *JB

ON A 2001 SAAB 9-5 SE (V6 ENGINE) STATIONWAGON WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. AS I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO AN EXIT RAMP (WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE OF THE MALFUNCTION), THE CAR STALLED AND A BURNING SMELL WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE CAR AFTER WHICH THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL SAAB DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE ON THE REAR CYLINDER BANK WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE FAILED. FAILURE OF THE IDM ON ONLY 3 OUT OF 6 CYLINDERS CAUSED UNBURNED GAS TO BE DISCHARGED INTO THE EXHAUST WHERE IT REACTED IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CLOGGING THE CONVERTER AND STALLING THE ENGINE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS RUINED WHICH CAUSED THE BURNING SMELL. NO FIRE WAS DETECTED. THE IDM AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 SAAB AERO 9-5. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE INTO THE SAAB SERVICE DEPARTMENT OVER 15 TIMES TRYING TO FIX MY PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND MANY TIMES WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE ALSO HAD MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ELECTRICAL MODULES FOR THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING, HEATED AND AIR CONDITIONED SEATS NOT WORKING AND MANY OTHER ELECTRICAL MODULES GOING OUT. *NM

2001 SAAB 9-5 FUEL PUMP CLIP FAILED SPRAYING GASOLINE UNDER PRESSURE OVER EXHAUST SYSTEM BELOW REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE 2001 SAAB 9-3 FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. NO RECALL FOR THE 2001 SAAB 9-5. *NM

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, CAUSING CAR TO LOSE POWER AND STOP. VEHICLE IS A SAAB 95, 2001, V6, SE WAGON, DATE OF SECOND INCIDENT IS BELOW.*JB

IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAR. CAR SPEED WAS APPX 40 MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND I LOST ENGINE POWER. PULLED CAR OVER AND FOUND BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT OF IGNITION CASSETTE. CASSETTE WAS VERY HOT AND I WAS CONCERNED IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE. CAR WOULD NOT START THEREAFTER. *NM

DT:THE OWNER HAD PROBLEMS WITH SAAB BEGINNING IN JUNE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CAR SHUT DOWN. THE CAR HAD NO ELECTRICAL POWER OR POWER STEERING. THE OWNER GOT OFF THE MAIN ROAD AND GOT ONTO SHOULDER. THE OWNER'S CAR ENDED UP AT SAAB PACIFIC, THE OWNER FOUND OUT THAT HER FRIEND HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT PARTS FAILED ON EVERY 1995 SAAB. MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT IT BUT WERE NOT DOING ANYTHING RIGHT NOW. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FAILED PART WAS AN IGNITION DISCHARGE PROBLEM. THE PART WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS ANOTHER ELECTRIC SYSTEM PROBLEM IN JULY. WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND MIRRORS FAILED THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OWNER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE DICE CASSETTE. THE DEALERSHIP SPENT 3 DAYS FINDING A DICE CASSETTE, AND OWNER DECIDED NOT TO REPLACE THE DICE CASSETTE. THE OWNER WENT BACK TO MECHANIC WHO REPLACED A RELAY FUSE. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY SERVICED AND THE RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE.*AK

I HAVE AN '01 9-5 AND HAVE HAD THE DI CASSETTES FAIL TWICE, ONCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE FIRST DIC FAILURE WAS ON 8/19/2003 AT 62,453 MILES WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD ONE DI CASSETTE AND 6 SPARK PLUGS REPLACED ON 8/20/2003. ON 12/22/2003 (4 MONTHS LATER) WITH 64,080 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SUDDENLY I WAS ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL AROUND 20-30 MPH WITH MUCH SHAKING TO THE VEHICLE. THIS DIC FAILURE CAUSED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BURN UP. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT BOTH DI CASSETTES HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHEN ONE FAILS OR YOU RUN THE RISK OF RECURRENCE. I HAD TWO DI CASSETTE, ONE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ONE THERMOSTAT, AND SPARK PLUGS REPLACED ON 12/23/2003 (ONE DIC WAS CREDITED BECAUSE OF THE PREVIOUS WORK ON 8/20/2003). I WAS ADVISED ON 7/22/2005 THAT I DO NOT HAVE THE LATEST SAAB 9-5 TRIONIC UPDATE THAT INCLUDES CHANGES TO PROTECT AGAINST DI CASSETTE FAILURES. PERHAPS THERE WERE ERRORS IN THE OLD CODE THAT WERE CAUSING ALL THE DIC FAILURES, OR PERHAPS THIS IS AN UPDATE TO ADD FAIL-SAFES TO MINIMIZE THE CHANGE OF DIC FAILURES.

I OWN A 2000 SAAB 9-3 AND A 2001 SAAB 9-5. I HAV HAD THE LUG NUTS REPLACED ON MY 9-5 TWICE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE NUTS WITH THE IDENTICAL TYPE. AFTER COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE CONTINUING TO RUST THEY SAID, JUST BRING THE CAR BACK AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO REPLCE THEM. BOTH OF MY CARS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER SAAB OWNERS WHO ARE FRUSTRATED BY THE SAME ISSUE. ALL WHERE CONCERNED THAT THE LUG NUTS WOULD WEAKEN OVER TIME AND FAIL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I AM LOOKING FOR A PERMANENT FIX WITH A LUG NUT THAT WILL NOT RUST / FAIL. NONE OF MY OTHER CARS (OTHER BRANDS) HAVE EVRY HAD THIS PROBLEM. CLEARLY THEY ARE EITHER MIS-MANUFACTERED OR NOT SPECED PROPERLY. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUESTED TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, WITH A PERMANENT FIX.

I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DECELERATED TO 3-5 MPH. VEHICLE STALLED ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM AND THE CAR SEEMED FINE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE POWER LOSS. I OBSERVED HEAVY SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DETECTED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM SCENE TO LOCAL SAAB DEALER. PROBLEM WAS DIAGONOSED AS A FAULTY DIRECT IGNITION CASSETE AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART AT A COST OF $500. DAMAGED PART IS AVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 95 SAAB AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY DIED IN TRAFFIC , THIS I FOUND OUT WAS DUE TO THE DI MODULE , IT APPEARS THAT MANY SAABS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE ACCORDING TO MY DEALER, THEY HAVE HAD MANY FAILURES RECENTLY WITH NO WARNING(S) TO THE DRIVER. FORTUNATLEY I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROD TO AVOID ANY COLLISION. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A RECALL FOR ALL SAAB 9-5 VEHICLES BE GENERATED , AS I AM SURE MANY OF THESE INSTANCES ARE NOT REPORTED

ADD MY 2001 SAAB 9-5 WAGON, 6 CYL, TO THE LIST OF THOSE WITH DI CASSETTE FAILURE. TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50 MPH ON A BEAUTIFUL JUNE MORNING THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. WHEN I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, A PUFF OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A DISTINCT BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL WHEN I RAISED THE HOOD. MY MECHANIC BELIEVES THE FAULTY DI CASSETTE MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE FOR THE 2 PREVIOUS CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURES. THE CAR HAS HAD OTHER ELECTRICAL IDIOSYNCRACIES, INCLUDING FREQUENT LIGHT BULB BURN OUTS, LOSS OF PIXELS ON THE MAIN DISPLAY SCREEN, SUDDEN EXTREME BRIGHTNESS OF ALL DISPLAY SCREENS, AND SPORADIC TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS FAILURE WARNINGS ON STARTING. THE LATTER GENERALLY GOES AWAY WHEN THE CAR IS RESTARTED. THE SAAB DEALER IN FLINT AND THE DEALER REP HAVE BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO THE POINT OF NEGLIGENCE ON THE CAT FAILURES, LUCKILY I HAVE A GOOD AND HONEST LOCAL SAAB MECHANIC AT RALLYE IMPORTS IN MIDLAND. SAAB SHOULD RECALL FOR THE DI CASSETTE AND SHOULD REIMBURSE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DISPLAY SCREEN. IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING, THIS IS THE MOST UNRELIABLE CAR I'VE EVER OWNED.

MY CAR HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES. NO WARNING, NO ESCALATION, JUST SUDDEN. SID L.C.D. DISPLAY IS MISSING DOTS AND LINES CAUSING UNREADABLE DISPLAY. CHECKED SEVERAL "SAAB" DISCUSSION FORUMS AND APPERANTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WHICH DAMAGES THE VALUE OF A $40,000+ CAR. I AM AFRAID TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST TO REPAIR AFTER SEEING HOW MANY 9-5 OWNERS HAVE POSTED "HOME REMEDY" REPAIR METHODS FOR THIS. UPPER RADIATOR HOSE- THIRD ONE IN FIFTY THOUSAND MILES FROM MYSELF AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER WHOM I KNEW. THEY ALL BURST IN THE SAME PLACE. PRESSURE RELIEF CAP TESTED OK. THERE IS NO AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURER OF THIS HOSE THAT I KNOW OF TO FALL BACK ON FOR A POSSIBLY MORE RELIABLE PRODUCT. AND ALSO, I AGAIN AFTER SEARCHING THROUGH DISCUSSION FORUMS DISCOVERED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOOD BADGE. ENAMEL CRACKED AND FLACKED OFF OF THE HOOD BADGE ON THIS GARAGE KEPT CAR. LUCKILY I HEAR (BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE) THAT THESE ARE CHEAP. MY CAR HAS LOST VALUE TO NO FAULT OF MINE AND I AM GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THESE THINGS REPAIRED (ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE) TO REGAIN THAT LOST VALUE.

1. DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WITH OUT ANY WARNING. 2. CAR COULD BREAK BUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING WAS NON FUNTIONAL, STEERING FUNCTIONED WITH OUT POWER ASSISTANCE, BUT VERY HARD TO SAFELY STEER VEHICLE. 3. WAS ABLE TO MOVE CAR OFF ROAD INTO GRASS DITCH AWAY FROM REAR TRAFFIC. 4. BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM DRIVERS SIDE OF ENGINE WITH SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC AND RUBBER. 5. CERTIFIED SAAB MECHANIC DIAGNOSED CAR AND FOUND THAT THE IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED AND BURNED FROM WITHIN. REPLACED IGNITION CASSETTE AT A COST OF $500. 6. THERE ARE TWO IGNITION CASSETTES IN THE SAAB 95. THE REMAINING UNIT HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. 7. IF THIS FAILURE TOOK PLACE ON A HIGHWAY IN FAST MOVING TRAFFIC, A TRAGIC ACCIDENT COULD RESULT. THERE IS NO WARNING OF THE FAILURE. I HAD THREE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. 8. THERE WAS SOME MINOR SMOKE DAMAGE IN THE VEHICLE COMPARTMENT, THE FIRE WAS INTERNAL TO THE FAILED UNIT AND DID NOT SPREAD. HOWEVER TOXIC LIKE FUMES FROM THE BURNING PLASTIC EXISTED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING PASSENGERS TO COUGH. 9. SAAB USA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER THE INCIDENT I REVIEWED MANY SAAB WEBSITES AND FOUND OTHER INCIDENTS OF COMPLETE ENGINE FALURE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX. IT ALSO POSES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. 10. SAAB USA SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.

ADD YET ANOTHER DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE TO THIS LIST OF COMPLAINTS!! DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE THE CAR QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. SMOKE AND FIRE ENSUED. WHERE IS THE RECALL??!?!?!?

DT: VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MPH ,AND THE VEHICLE JUST STALLED AND STOPPED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER REPORTED THAT THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

DRIVING AT 65MPH IN FAR LEFT LANE OF HIGHWAY AND SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED--COULD ONLY GO 20-30 MPH FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE BURNING SMELL. WAS ABLE TO COME TO RIGHT SHOULDER WHILE DODGING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (DIC) FAILURE 1 OF 2 DIC'S IN 6 CYLINDER ENGINE). SECOND VISIT REQUIRED FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT--WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIRD VISIT FOR ANOTHER CEL FOR SECOND DIC FAILURE.*AK

THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASETTE IN A 2001 SAAB 9-5 WAGON WITH THE 2.3 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE OF A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT NEEDED TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED.*AK

I OWN A SAAB 9-5 WAGON, 2001. WHEN IT WAS ONLY 3000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, TWICE THE UNIT (ALARM SYSTEM) FAILED, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE IT HAD GOTTEN WET. SAAB SAYS THAT WHEN THE AC DRAINS ARE BLOCKED, IT CAN BACK UP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE, THUS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TWICE UNIT. WHEN THE TWICE UNIT FAILS, IT BURNS OUT ALL 5 DOOR LOCK MOTORS, SINCE IT ERRONEOUSLY SENDS A CONSTANT ELECTRICAL SIGNAL TO THE MOTORS. I SEE THIS PROBLEM AS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW. THE TWICE UNIT SHOULD NOT BE LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND SHOULD NOT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER DAMAGE. ALSO, THE AC DRAINS SHOULD NOT GET BLOCKED SO EASILY, CAUSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. AND THE FAILURE OF THE ALARM SYSTEM SHOULD NOT CAUSE THE DOOR LOCK MOTORS TO BURN OUT. SAAB DOES NOT HAVE A VEHICLE SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND DOES NOT CONSIDER IT A MAJOR DEFECT OR DESIGN FLAW. IT COSTS THE CONSUMER OVER $2500 TO REPAIR. I HAVE HAD THE TWICE UNIT REPLACE, BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT OPERATE WITHOUT A FAILED UNIT. THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JB

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE SEIZED. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND NEITHER IS WILLING TO ASSIST THE OWNER. *AK

ADD ME TO THE LIST OF DRIVERS STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH TOTAL LOSS OF POWER BECAUSE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE BURNT UP. THE CAR ONLY HAD 62,000 MILES. IT COST OVER $1,300 TO REPLACE. *JB

MULTIPLE TIMES THE CAR, WHEN WARM WILL JUST WITHOUT WARNING. ALL ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE SIMULTANEOUSLY QUITS LEAVING THE DRIVER TO DEAL WITH A SITUATION OF NO POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALER HAS RESULTED IN NO DIAGNOSIS AND GENEARL APATHY ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS STIL UNDER WARRANLTY BUT IT OFFERS NO VALUE. CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE AS THE LAST EVENT WAS AT A ELEMENARY SCHOOL WHERE A CHILD WAS ALMOST HIT AS THE LACK OF BRAKING AND STEERING POWER. HOW CAN SUCH A SYMPTOM BETREATED WITHSUCH APATHY. WE WILL BE FORCED TO SEL THE CAR FOR SAFETY REASONS AND NO RESPONSIBILITY IS TAKEN BY SAAB. IRONICALLY WE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH A 1994 9000.*AK

A FAILED FUEL LINE RETAINING TAB AT THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 2001 SAAB 1995. NHTSA RECALL # 04V557000 IS THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD WITH MY SAAB, BUT I OWN A 1995, NOT A 1993. THIS DEFECTIVE TAB ALLOWED GASOLINE TO SPRAY FREELY TO THE GROUND MUST BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY RELATYED ISSUE.*AK

WIFE WAS DRIVING ON HWY US 202 SB AND SUDDENLY THE CAR DIES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SHE ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND HER. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. HE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE.*AK

THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 2001 SAAB 9-5 STATION WAGON WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND SHE LOST ALL POWER. THANKFULLY SHE WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD AND MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE PERSON WHO TOWED SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A "CRANK SENSOR" THAT FAILED AND WHEN IT FAILS IT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN THE GAS TO THE ENGINE. I HAD IT REPAIRED AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR THAT HE CALLED DIRECT IGNITION WHICH INCLUDES THE CAM SENSOR . MY CONCERN IS THAT IF IT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR CAN TOTALLY SHUT DOWN LIKE THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SAAB WOULD NOT TAKE MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE IT CHECKED AT THEIR GARAGE. I THINK THAT POLICY, WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, IS LUDICROUS! *AK

MY 2001 SAAB 9-5 HAS JUST UNDER 80,000 MILES AND HAS GONE THROUGH 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. IT ALSO BURNS OUT A LOT OF LIGHTS--HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, ETC. EVERY FEW MONTHS. ALSO THE LED DISPLAY ON THE DASH HAS A LOT OF PIXELS OUT. I'M WONDERING IF THE ELECTRICAL CURRENT IS PERHAPS A LITTLE TOO HIGH AND THAT COULD BE WHAT'S CAUSING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS?*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT NO SET SPEED VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE 6 TIMES, AND TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

EXITING THE HIGHWAY ON AN OVERPASS BRIDGE THE ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. A FEW MOMENTS LATER SMOKE WAS VISIBLE FROM UNDER THE DIRECT IGNITION COVER AND SMALL FLAME WAS APPARENT. THE FLAME WENT OUT AFTER A FEW MOMENTS. HOWEVER, WE WERE LEFT STRANDED ON AN UNLIT BRIDGE OVERPASS THAT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT DUSK (WITH AN INFANT AND TODDLER). SAAB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED (THEY SUGGESTED WE WAIT WITH THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR UNTIL A TOW TRUCK COULD REACH US.) THIS INCIDENT FOLLOWS A STRING OF MINOR ELECTICAL / ELECTRONIC "BUGS" IN WHICH ERRONEOUS SIGNALS ABOUT LIGHT FAILURES WERE DISPLAYED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO TURN OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED (THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC FEATURE ON SAABS).*AK

A PRIOR RECALL ADDRESSED EXTREME CORROSION ON ALLOY WHEELS OF SAABS, IN THE VICINITY OF THE WHEEL BOLTS. MY CONCERN IS THE EXTREME AMOUNT OF CORROSION OCCURING WHERE THE ALLOY WHEEL MEETS THE STEEL HUB. THERE IS AN ORANGE COLORED POWDER, AND DEFORMATION OF THE INSIDE SMALLEST DIAMETER OF THE ALLOY WHEEL, WHERE IT OTUCHES THE HUB. IS THIS A LOAD BEARING SURFACE? IS THIS A CONCERN TO ANYONE?? *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, THEN VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, A BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRE ODOR FILLED THE VEHICLE AS CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND GUESSED WITHOUT INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THAT THE CAUSE WAS DI CASSETTE. *LA

SUDDEN COMPLETE POWER FAILURE ON HIGHWAY! RELATIVLY NEW CAR 2001 WITH LOW MILES.TRACED TO BAD DIRECT IGNITION (DI) MODULE. IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NO INJURIES THANKFULLY.*AK

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BEGAN EXITING WHEN THE SAAB COMPLETELY DIED. NO WARNING..ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER. I COASTED DOWN THE RAMP. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I BEEN IN THE LEFT LANE? SAAB QUICKLY DIAGNOSED THIS AS A SHORTED OUT DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THEY REPAIRED IT RETURNED THE CAR. IT NEEDED TO GO BACK AS IT HAD NO POWER. THE CASSETTE'S FAILURE DESTROYED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AS WELL. I HAVE NOW HEARD OF THIS INCIDENT THREE TIMES ON 2001 SAAB 9-5'S. WHERE IS THE RECALL?*AK

THE ENGINE ON OUR 2001 SAAB 9.5 WAGON COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS WE EXITED I-10 NORTH OF SAN ANTONIO TEXAS. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH AND THE ENGINE JUST QUIT. WE WERE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AT THE EXITS INTERSECTION BECAUSE OF ITS LENGTH OF ABOUT 1/4 MILE. THERE WAS NO WARNING, JUST NO ENGINE AND NO RESTART. THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED. *AK

I WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED ON THE BRONX RIVER PKWY AND MY PASSENGER REACHED INTO THE BACK SEAT. HER LEG HIT THE KEY AND TURNED THE CAR OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT. THE CAR LOCKED UP AND I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. IT TOOK A FEW ANXIOUS MOMENTS/MINUTE OR TWO BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES WHEN I DECIDED TO CONTACT SAAB. THEIR RESPONSE IN A LETTER IS AS FOLLOWS " WE HAVE REVIEWED YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE PLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH GARDEN CITY SAAB, CORPORATE TECHNICIANS, AND FIELD REPRESENTATIVES. SAAB CARS USA, INC. HAS DETERMINED YOUR VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED." !!!!! SO, THEY HAVE DESIGNED A CAR TO SWITCH OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALL I ASKED WAS TO BE LET OUT OF MY LEASE AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING IN IT. THEY, BY MEANS OF THIS LETTER, ARE REFUSING AND TELLING ME THEY HAVE NO ISSUE. FYI THE 9.3 KEY IS BELOW THE SEAT, IN THE 9.5 THEY DECIDED TO RAISE IT ABOVE THE SEAT. THIS IS PROBABLY WHY THEY HAVEN'T ADDRESSED IT YET. I GUESS THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET REALLY HURT OR KILLED. CAN ANY ONE HELP???? *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLES ENGINE SHUT OFF. *NLM

KEY WAS TOUCHED BY A BABY BOTTLE (VERY GENTLY). THE CAR SHUT OFF ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS KILLED. I WENT TO THE CAR SERVICE AND GENTLY TAPPED THE KEY AND REPRODUCED THE KEY TURNING. THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT WAS NORMAL! PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOME ONE IS KILLED.*JB

CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALL CONSUMER PULL VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE SOON AFTER ENGINE WAS ON FIRE IN RESULT OF TOTAL LOST OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM THE ENGINE.VEHICLE STALLED OUT.HAD VEHICLE SERVICED,FIRE WAS A RESULT OF A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION CASSETTE. NLM

ON HIGH SPEED SIDE IMPACK (IMPACT BY 4000+ LB CAR ON PASSENGER DOOR), THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAKED. ACCORDING TO THE WRECKER SERVICE, THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP "BROKE OFF". IN ADDITION, THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE AFTER THE COLLISION.*AK

THE SEATBELT HAS NOT ADJUSTMENTS AND IF I CRASH I WILL BE DECAPAITATED AND SAAB HAS NO FIX SEATBELT SITS AT/AROUND MY NECK WITH NO WAY TO ADJUST IT. *AK

ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARD WHILE PARKED WITH EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE FREQUENCY OF NOXIOUS FUMES COMING THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE EXHAUST, WHEN CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE PROBLEM HE WAS GIVEN A SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH IDENTIFIED THE EMISSION AS HYDROGEN SULFIDE AND THE BULLETIN FURTHER STATED THERE WAS NO WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE MANUFACTURER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT HAS FAILED TO DISCLOSE THE INFORMATION.(LAWYER, JEFFREY MILLER ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)*JB

FRONT SUSPENSION IS NOISY DUE TO BOLTS NOT PROPERLY TORQUED TO SWAY BAR. PERIODICALLY, BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED. HAS HAPPENED SIX TIMES. CURRENTLY, STEERING IS STARTING TO JERK. *AK

I HAVE A PROBLEM ON MY 9-5 2001 SE WAGON 6 CYL, HEADLIGHTS. *AK

AFTER BRINGING IN TO DEARLER MANY TIMES FOR "ENGINE LIGHT" AND BEING TOLD IT WAS NOTHING I PROCEEDED WITH MAINTENANCE.DUE TO LATE OIL CHANGE DEALER CLAIMS, AFTER OIL CHANGE, AND COMPLAINT FROM ME THAT THERE WAS A FLUTTER SOUND IN THE SYSTEM; THEY OFFER TO REPAIR FOR APPROX 3500 WITH NO GUARANTEE. MY CAR IS NOT ABUSED AND IS NEW. AFTER DISCUSSING WITH OUTSIDE REPAIR IT SEEMS THIS IS A PROBLEM DUE TO THE OIL USED BY SAAB. APPARENTLY THERE ARE PRESENTLY SIX OTHER VEHICLES AT OUTSIDE REPAIR SHOPS CHANGING OIL BRAND AND FLUSHING FOR PERFECT RESULTS. THOSE OUTSIDE SOURCES CHARGE APPROX $350. PERSONALLY I HAVE ONLY OWNED NEW VEHICLES OVER THE PAST TWENTY YEARS. ALL FIRST QUALITY: HONDA, BMW, VOLVO, JAGUAR, SAAB,

I HAVE HAD 4 SIDEWALL FAILURES IN 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY IN THAT ALL THESE HAVE BEEN AT LOW SPEEDS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURES ARE INSTANTANOUS, WHICH WOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND MOST LIKELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE TIRE, RIM AND SUSPENSION SET UP ON THIS MODEL. (TIRESIZE: 225-45ZR17)