Owners filed 29 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm). It has been recalled 5 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
5
1
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
2
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
2
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
2
0
1
1
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
2
0
0
0
Wheels
1
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
1
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
1
0
0
0
5 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive99V109000
Filed May 6, 199926,116 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE AIR BAG INFLATABLE RESTRAINT ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND CAUSE CORROSION ON PORTIONS OF THE ECM PRINTER CIRCUIT BOARDS.
Risk. THIS CORROSION CAN POSSIBLY CREATE OPEN CONNECTIONS IN CIRCUITS WHICH CONTROL THE RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE EXTERIOR OF THE ECM. IF THERE IS NO INDICATION OF MOISTURE, A COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE ECM. IF THERE IS INDICATION OF MOISTURE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ECM AND INSTALL A COVER OVER THE NEW ECM.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module95V067000
Filed Mar 29, 199512,091 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.
Defect. MOISTURE CAN FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ENTER THE PRESSURE SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSING CORROSION AND MALFUNCTION OF THE SWITCH.
Risk. THE CORROSION CAUSES A DETERIORATION OF THE ELECTRICALSWITCH CONNECTION AND CAN RESULT IN FALSE ILLUMINATION OF ABS AND/OR THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR THE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF NO HYDRAULIC PUMPOPERATION. LOSS OF POWER ASSIST INCREASES THE DRIVER'S BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT REQUIRED FOR STOPPING WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ABS PRESSURE SWITCH TERMINALS FOR CORROSION AND INSTALL A SHRINK HOSE TO THE WIRING HARNESS TO AVOID MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONNECTION. PRESSURE SWITCHES WITH CORRODED CONNECTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System94V126000
Filed Jul 8, 199412,040 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.
Defect. DURING LOW ENERGY FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISIONS, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CAN CONTACT THE METAL TUBING PORTION OF THE COOLER HOSE ASSEMBLY; AND/OR THE HOSE ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK AND LEAK OIL ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR THE TURBOCHARGER.
Risk. OIL LEAKING ON THESE HOT ENGINE SURFACES CAN IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICULAR FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH WILL PROTECT THE COOLER AND HOSES FROM OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN LOW ENERGY FRONT IMPACTS.
Filed Jun 9, 19949,747 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.
Defect. A NUMBER OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES HAVE AN OVAL-SHAPED PISTON WHICH CAN GET STUCK UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. OTHER SWITCHES WERE MOUNTED SO THAT BOTH LOCKING TABS ARE NOT COMPLETELY ENGAGED IN THE MOUNTING BRACKET. IF ONE SIDE IS NOT ENGAGED, THE SWITCH IS MISALIGNED WITH THE PEDAL MECHANISM AND CAN BIND THE PISTON MOVEMENT, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TO STICK IN THE "OFF" OR "ON" POSITION.
Risk. THIS RESULTS IN EITHER THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON CONSTANTLY OR THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS RESULTS IN INACCURATE SIGNALS OF BRAKE OPERATION TO OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES. FOR VEHICLES WITH THE OVAL-SHAPED PISTON AND FOR VEHICLES WITH MISALIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED.
Fuel System, Gasoline94V029000
Filed Feb 3, 19945,824 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.
Defect. THE FUEL FILLER AND TANK VENTILATION HOSES MAY DEVELOP CRACKS UNDER THE SECURING HOSE CLAMPS, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk. FUEL LEAKS MAY RESULT IN A FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCEIS PRESENT.
Remedy. THE FUEL FILLER AND FUEL VENTILATION HOSES WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW HOSES. THE FIVE SECURING HOSE CLAMPS WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW TYPE WITH A SHIELD THAT PREVENTS DAMAGE TO THE HOSE WHEN TIGHTENED.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 9, 2006WA
WE FIXED THE CAR THE FIRST TIME THE FUEL WAS LEAKING, AND IT WAS A BIG SPRAY IN THE TRUNK, AFTER THAT WE HAD TROUBLE WITH TURNING IT ON AND IT STAYING ON. NOW THE CAR ABOUT NOVEMBER '05 IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE GAS AGAIN. IT IS NOW MAY 9 2006 AND WE TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSTICS TEST IN MARCH '06 AND THEY WEREN'T TOO SURE WHAT THE MISHAP IS. WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED I AM CURRENTLY 2 MONTHS PREGNANT AND I WILL PRETTY SOON NEED TO CARRY MY CHILD IN THIS VEHICLE BUT I AM REALLY SCARED OF WHAT COULD GO WRONG. I CONSTANTLY GET RIDES FROM MY MOTHER, BECAUSE OF THE CAR DYING ON ME. *NM
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Aug 5, 200455,291 milesMN
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING OPERATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE BRAKE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 19, 2004MN
DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOUR TIMES. *AK
Seat Belts
Filed Apr 8, 200380,000 milesUT
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER HAVING TO BE CUT OUT. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Oct 18, 2002CA
THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM CUTS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THE PEDEL FORCEFUL COMES UP, CAR SLOWS - COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER - AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE TILL FOOT IS LIFTED OF ACCELERATOR AND DEPRESSED AGAIN. PEDAL IS NOW HARD TO DEPRESS AND POWER LOSS IS SIGNIFCANT FROM NORMAL. VERY ENJOYABLE WHEN ACCELERATING AND CHANGING LANES IN FRONT OF A SEMI. THIS WILL HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY WHEN ACCELERATING - TRYING TO PASS, GET ON A FREEWAY, ETC. THIS HAPPENS UPON DEPRESSING THE PEDAL ONLY SLIGHTLY. THERE IS NO MODIFICATIONS TO CORRECT AND TURN OFF COMPLETELY. DT
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Aug 29, 2002NC
NHTSA RECALL 99V109000, AIR BAG MODULE, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND AT TIMES THE LIGHT STAYED ON WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. *AK *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Jun 17, 2002MD
WHILE DRIVING OR STARTING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE WILL STALL, CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUTDOWN, AND VEHICLE TO BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE; CURRENTLY, IT IS GOING ON THE 3RD TIME, AND HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*AK THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD REPEATED FAILURES OF THE COMPONENTS RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE EACH TIME. *JG
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Nov 27, 2001MA
THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN WITHOUT NEED WHEN THERE ARE NO SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD OR SOME TIMES A BUMP, IT ALSO ACTIVATES AT HIGH SPEEDS.*ET
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 26, 2001AZ
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THAT TANK HAS CRACKED UNDER THE BELTS.*AK DEALER REPLACED THE TANK AND VALVE. *SLC
Tires
Filed Jan 11, 2001IL
3 OF 4 TIRES EXHIBITED TIRE BELT BUNCHING OR SHIFTING, RESULTING IN ROUGH RIDE AND FADE OR CHANGE IN FEEL OF STEARING. THE DEALERSHIP COVERED THE TIRES UNDER WARRANTY ONLY AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF PREASURE BY ME AND MY THWARTING THEIR CONFRONTATIONAL TACTICS. *AK (TIRESIZE: P205/60R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/60R15 )
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 28, 2000NY
NO WARNING LIGHTS OR BACK UP SYSTEMS CAME INTO PLAY!
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed May 18, 2000MA
WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE. APPEARED TO HAVE SHEARED IN TWO PARTS. PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Wheels
Filed Nov 22, 1999MI
ONE WHEEL WAS ORIGINALLY REPLACED AT 20000 MILES BY DEALER. IT WAS NOT ROUND. SRS (RESTRAINT SYSTEM) WAS RECALLED AND WORKED ON IN AUGUST OF 1999, BUT HAS FAILED ALREADY (SEPTEMBER OF 1999).
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Sep 24, 1999TN
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO THE FRONT SENSORS GOING BAD. DLR REPLACED THE FRONT SENSORS AND RESET AIRBAG LIGHT. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. MJS
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Jul 22, 1999GA
WIRING HARNESS WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SEATBELT IS INOPERATIVE WHICH WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 18, 1999CT
CASTING PLUG ON WATER PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jan 22, 1999NJ
SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT UNLATCH OR RELEASE, TRAPPING THE OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 11, 1999NJ
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, WHILE GOING OVER A BRIDGE VEHICLE DIED OUT AND LOST POWER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR WORK, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Crash
Filed Dec 13, 1998NY
THE TRACATION CONTROL GOES ON AND OFF UNRELATED TO ANY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED NOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION IS SMOOTH ENOUGH FOR MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE ROAD. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, WHICH IT ALMOST DID SEVERAL TIMES.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 9, 1998ME
FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 29,000; SECOND TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 66,000; AND THIRD TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED AT 98,000. MOST RECENT INCIDENT LEFT ME UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC AS TRANSMISSION WAS UNABLE TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR SCARY EXPERIENCES OR IF OTHERS HAVE REPLACED THIS TRANSMISSION NUMEROUS TIMES. THANKS.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: May 6, 1999. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.