1999 SAAB 9-5 Electrical System Problems

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!!! *TR

Mileage: 97,000

MY 1999 SAAB'S DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE HAS FAILED -- A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS MODEL, FOR WHICH A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THAT RECALL, HOWEVER, EXCLUDED 1999 MODEL YEARS FOR REASONS UNKNOWN TO ANYONE I HAVE SPOKEN WITH. MY CAR IS ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL TO A 2000 SAAB 9-5, WHICH IS COVERED UNDER RECALL. HAD MY PART FAILED WHILE DRIVING, I WOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH NO POWER BRAKES, STEERING, ETC... THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, IN WHICH WE CARRY OUR NEWBORN DAUGHTER. IT'S A VERY LOW-MILEAGE CAR (83K MILES) THAT I TAKE METICULOUS CARE OF. THIS PART SHOULD NOT FAIL, AND SHOULD CERTAINLY BE RECALLED IF A PATTERN OF FAILURES EXISTS (WHICH IT DOES). THANK YOU! *TR

Mileage: 83,000

IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

1999 SAAB 9-5 ENGINE JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE IGNITION CONTROL UNIT ON THE 2000. DEALER SAID IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 1999 BUT WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ICM HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AT THE DEALER, THE LAST TIME BEING 2 YEARS AGO AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. GM SAYS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THE 1999 WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT TAKING AN OFF RAMP ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVING THE CAR JUST TURN OFF. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

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.

Mileage: 135,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THERE WAS EXCESSIVELY LOW POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING ROUGHLY AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION CASSETTES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Mileage: 73,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL (JACKMAN ST. AT WATER ST., APPLETON WI) WHEN MY '99 SAAB, WENT DEAD. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL THERE IS A BLIND TURN TO THE LEFT, A STOP SIGN, AND A RAILROAD CROSSING JUST BEYOND THE INTERSECTION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SPOT TO HAVE YOUR CAR FAIL AND HAVE NO POWER TO THE BRAKES OR STEERING. THE REASON MY CAR STALLED WAS A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CASSETTE. THE FIRST TIME THIS PART FAILED, IN 2002, THE SITUATION WAS NOT AS DANGEROUS, AND THEN IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. I CONTACTED SAAB CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SENT A PHOTO OF THE HILL. THEY RESPONDED BY PHONE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS FOR THIS PART, NOR WOULD THERE BE A RECALL. THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE TOW AND REPAIR. I THINK THAT LEAVES SAAB OWNERS VULNERABLE TO ACCIDENTS. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OFF AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL WITHOUT HITTING A TRAIN OR CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO ANYONE. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

DASH BOARD DIGITAL DISPLAY (REFERRED TO AS SID) INOPERATIVE AND UNABLE TO REPORT VITAL SAFETY RELATED INFORMATION. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE. IT CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL IN AN INTERSECTION. I WAS IN A TRAFFIC LANE TURNING LEFT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN IT FAILED. I REPLACED IT AT THE DEALER FOR $400.00. *TR

Mileage: 68

I HAVE A SAAB 9-5 1999 WAGON. MY DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE IS OVERHEATING CAUSING THE CAR TO MISS. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND A RECALL ON THESE CASSETTES. THE RECALL THOUGH ONLY COVERS YEARS 2000-2002. MY CAR IS A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE RECALL AND IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 93,780

MY SON JUST PASSED HIS DRIVERS TEST AND WE WERE GOING HOME WHEN THE CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES AND THEN STALLED. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE CAR AND SMELLED LIKE BURNT RUBBER. MY SON LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE (AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT). LIFTED HOOD THOUGHT CAR OVERHEATED. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND IT SPARKED AND STARTED SMOKING AGAIN. FOUND OUT IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE. MY CAR IS A 1999 9-5 SAAB. I FOUND THAT THE 2000'S HAD A RECALL DUE TO THIS OVERHEATING AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THIS COULD OF CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 121,000

1999 SAAB 9-5 V6 (127,000 MILES). NO PRIOR RELATED PROBLEM BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. UPON START UP, VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AT IDLE. LOW POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. PARKED VEHICLE AND RAISED HOOD. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM IGNITION MODULE ON FRONT SIDE OF ENGINE, STRONG SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. ALSO SMELLED RAW GAS COMING FROM EXHAUST. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RUN AGAIN. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK HOME. REPLACEMENT IGNITION CASSETTE CURRENTLY ON ORDER.

Mileage: 127,000

MY 1999 SAAB 9.5 WAGON JUST DIED. IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER DIAGNOSED AND SAID IGNITION CASSETTE WAS BURNED OUT. DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CASSETTE AND SPARK PLUGS FOR $525.40 + 6.0% TAX FOR TOTAL OF $556.92. MY MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE CASSETTES. DEALER SAID MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I PAID THE BILL. *NM

Mileage: 73,897

STALL AND SURGING TO THE POINT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD THE CAR BACK AT A STOP. LATER IDM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING . SEEN SMOKE COMING FORM COIL, PACK. *JB

Mileage: 54,400

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL THAT IS ON THE 2000-2002 SAAB 9-5S FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION MODULE. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05V399000. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD NUMEROUS 1999 SAABS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

Mileage: 60,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO VEHICLES WERE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS ON THE DI CASSETTE OR THE ID MODULE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TWO VEHICLES MAY BE UNDER RECALL FOR THE PARTS AFFECTED. HOWEVER AFTER AN INVESTIGATION IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLES WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR WITH THE SAME PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 7/19/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM

Mileage: 90,736

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 TO 65 MPH THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FOR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, UPON INSPECTION THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V399000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION CONTROL MODULE. THE MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THERE WAS ALSO AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION, # PE5017, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION CONTROL MODULE.

Mileage: 75,000

I HAVE A 1999 SAAB 9-5, V6 AND HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CASSETTE MODULE. THE 2000 9-5 HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PART. WHY HASN'T THE 1999 BEEN RECALLED? *JB

Mileage: 66,032

MY 1999 SAAB 9-5 SUSTAINED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE DESCRIBED IN THE 2000-2003 RECALL. REPAIRED BY LOCAL MECHANIC. WAS UNAWARE OF RECALL (AS DID NOT INCLUDE 1999) BUT MY COLLEAGUE POINTED IT OUT TO ME. I CONTACTED SAAB, SENT THEM RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION, AND THEY REFUSED TO CONSIDER MY VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. CLEARLY AN IGNITION MODULE SMOKING AND BURNING WHEN ENGINE STARTED IS A VERY UNUSUAL EVENT. I SUSPECT THIS MODULE ALSO BEGAN TO FAIL IN 1999 BUT THAT TOO FEW OF THESE EVENTS WAS REPORTED TO MAKE YOUR RECALL THRESHOLD, BUT I WOULD MAINTAIN THAT SUCH AN ARBITRARY CUTOFF IS INEQUITABLE. SAME PART; SAME UNUSUAL FAILURE. NOT SURE WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THIS MANUFACTURER (USUALLY GOOD FOLK) IS MANAGING THIS WELL. HENCE MY FORMAL COMPLAINT. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF ALL POWER. THE WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE A FAILURE. A STRANGE BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT BUT NO FLAMES OR SMOKE WAS VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP; THE IGNITION MODULE AND COIL ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V399000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 05/04/06. *JB

Mileage: 122,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V399000, REGARDING THE IGNITION MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 85,000

I HAVE A 99 9-5 TURBO. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST WEEK, MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON ME THREE TIMES. THE FIRST, I WAS TRAVELING ALONE AT 20 MPH AND THE CAR STALLED WHEN I MADE A LEFT TURN INTO A GAS STATION, LEAVING ME VULNERABLE TO ONGOING TRAFFIC. AN HOUR LATER, I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND WE PROCEEDED TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR STALLED AS I WAS GOING INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THANKS TO THE SKILLFUL MANEUVERING OF THE OTHER DRIVERS, OUR LIVES WERE SPARED. THE OTHER OCCURRED WHEN WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION. THE CAR STALLED AS WE PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THIS LED TO THE INABILITY TO TURN SUFFICIENTLY AND ALMOST HITTING THE NEIGHBORING CARS. I HAVE READ VARIOUS FORUMS OF FELLOW SAAB OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE SAME LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS. IT SEEMS TO ME AND MANY OTHERS THAT SAAB DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR DEDICATED CONSUMERS. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR HAND OUTS, JUST THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY ANY ONE SHOULD HAVE FROM A COMPANY THAT "ALLEGEDLY" PRIDES THEMSELVES ON THOSE THINGS. I JUST HOPE THAT THE NEXT TIME I SUBMIT A REPORT IT DOESN'T INCLUDE A DEATH OR DISMEMBERMENT OF MYSELF, CHILD, OR ANOTHER LOVED ONE BECAUSE OF SAAB'S LACK OF INTEGRITY. *JB

Mileage: 102,847

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE SPEED DROPPED TO 10 MPH. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND ONCE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER, WHERE THE IGNITION CASSETTES AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V399000, REGARDING THE IGNITION MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THIS HAPPENED ON THE ROAD WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 30 MPH. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ONE OF THE HIGHWAYS WHERE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY. THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT DO OVER 15 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE SMALL OF THE CAR WAS VERY BAD SO THE CONTACT WAITED 20 MINUTES BEFORE LEAVING. THERE WAS NO FIRE. BOTH IGNITION CASSETTES WERE REPLACED, AS WELL AS SPARK PLUGS. *AK

Mileage: 67,187

ON FEBRUARY 15, 2006 AS I WAS EXITING MY CAR (1999 SAAB 9-5 SE), I WAS JOLTED BY FIVE "SHOCKS" WHEN I REACHED FOR THE DOOR (JUST BELOW THE WINDOW) AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND REMOVING THE KEYS. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO EAST OF SWEDED (SAAB SPECIALISTS) IN BOULDER, CO FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR. THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED, AND THE PROBLEM SOLVED. I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT SAAB USA HAS RECALLED THIS PART ON THE 2000, 2001, AND 2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5S. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WHICH WAS REMOVED FROM MY CAR IS THE EXACT SAME PART THAT WAS RECALLED ON THE OTHER MODEL YEARS, BUT THAT THE 1999 HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED. I STILL HAVE THE PART IN MY POSSESSION. *NM

THE CAR DEVELOPED AN ODD BURNING SMELL WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTES. *NM

Mileage: 68,313

MY 1999 SAAB 9-5 SE TURBO V-6 HAS NOW HAD BOTH DIRECT IGNITION MODULES FAIL. THE FIRST ONE FAILED AS THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT CITY SPEEDS, THE CAR STALLED ONCE WAS RESTARTED AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A STRONG ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. FOUR MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE OTHER IGNITION MODULE. *NM

Mileage: 140,584

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AT NO SPECIFIC SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, THE DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL DETERMINED THE IDM COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE LIGHT WARNING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 02/13/06.*JB

Mileage: 15,000

SLUDGE IN OIL AND FAULTY IGNITION CASSETTE MODULE. *NM

Mileage: 62,000

1999 SAAB 9-5 HAS A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER, AND VACUUM BOOSTER WHICH BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TS IN THE PAST THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. HEATER FAN MOTOR, THERMOSTAT. LEAKY SUNROOF, BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES AND NUMEROUS LIGHT BULBS. *JB

Mileage: 108,000

THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART DUE TO IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED SAAB DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. PER A CONVERSATION WITH THE TECHNICIAN, THE MODULE WAS REPLACED WITH AN IDENTICAL MODULE OF THE SAME PART NUMBER. *NM

Mileage: 98,893

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V399000 CONCERNING THE IGNITION MODULE. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE FAULTY IGNITION MODULE CAUSED THE VEHICLE STALL SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. *NM

Mileage: 86,700

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE BURNED CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO DRIVE IN LIMP-HOME MODE. CAR TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AS BURNED DIC. MECHANIC STATED THAT CAR SHOULD HAVE DIED. VERY FORTUNATE TO LIMP HOME. DIC REPLACED WITH NEW UNIT AT MY COST (OUT OF WARRANTY).*JB

Mileage: 71,000

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON THE 1999 SAAB 9-5 THE IGNITION MODULE, FAILED. THIS HAPPENED IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF OVER 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN FIXED BY THE CONSUMER. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED IN THE CAR. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT PART FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM HIMSELF. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE SINCE THE MODULE REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER DID CONTACT GM, AND THEY SENT THE CONSUMER AN E-MAIL REPLYING THAT SAAB WAS AN INNOVATOR AND SOME VEHICLES DO EXPERIENCE SOME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE STALLED ONCE. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE 1999 MODELS HAVE AN ECU IN WHICH THE IGNITION CONTROL SOFTWARE PARAMETERS CANNOT BE UPDATED UNLIKE THE 2000 AND LATER YEAR MODELS. *JB

Mileage: 58,000

1. CAR WAS HESITATING AND MIS-FIRING. EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE SAAB RECALL NO. 05087. 2. WITH FAMILY, CAR COMPLETELY DIED WHILE GOING UP A HILL. SINCE IT WAS A 5 SPEED, I WAS ABLE TO ROLL BACK DOWN THE HILL AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAVE THE CAR TOWED. 3. DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (DIC) AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. WITH DEALER ASSISTANCE, SAAB REPLACE THE PART AND RELATED REPAIR AT MINIMAL COSTS. UNLIKE THE SAAB RECALL NO. 05087, 1999 OWNERS ARE BEING EXCLUDED FROM THE REMEDY FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AND FAILURES. SAAB / GM NEED TO REMEDY THE EXACT SAME ISSUE IN SAAB RECALL NO. 05087 FOR THE 1999 OWNERS. THE FAILURE AND SAFETY CONCERNS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. *JB

Mileage: 83,283

(1) NORMAL CITY DRIVING OPERATION FOR 20 MINUTES (2) WHILE IDLING AT BUSY INTERSECTION FOR LEFT TURN, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT TURN-OVER; BURNING SMELL CAME FROM UNDER HOOD. DID NOT OPEN HOOD SO COULD NOT EVALUATE WHETHER THERE WAS FIRE. CAR TOWED BY AAA TO CLOSEST SAAB DEALER. (3) DEALER INSPECTION IDENTIFIED THE FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE AS IDENTIFIED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05017 AND CAMPAIGN RECALL NUMBER 05V399000. VEHICLE - SAAB 9-5 2.3L MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAGON MAKE YEAR - 1999 CURRENT MILEAGE - 60K MILES ALL SERVICING UP TO DATE AND DONE BY DEALER. *JB

Mileage: 60,200

VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING. REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS FAILURE OF DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE, WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A RECENT RECALL OF OVER 300,000 VEHICLES. PART WAS REPLACED- WILL NEED TO CHECK IF AVAILABLE. *NM

Mileage: 56,000

FAILURE OF DIRECT IGNITION (DI) UNIT (1) CAR BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND STALLING AT STOP LIGHTS. A PROGRESSIVE WORSENING PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE AFTER COUPLE OF MENTIONS OF PROBLEM. (2) CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF STREET, HAD TO CALL SERVICE TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP. (3) UNIT WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY AT TIME). *NM

Mileage: 64,925

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND INDICATED A MISFIRE CYL. ONE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE 12 MILES LATER. THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE 1999-2003 MODEL YEAR RANGE. *NM

Mileage: 71,250

WHILE DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY L.A. FREEWAY ON A SATURDAY EVENING MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITH NO WARNING TO THE POINT OF ALMOST STALLING. LUCKY FOR ME I SAY MY PRAYERS AND WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE OFF RAMP AND COAST ON TO THE STREET WHERE I WAS PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC BY A GOOD SAMARITAN (I'M A SINGLE FEMALE DRIVER). I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN AFTER AWHILE AND CHUGGED HOME 30 SLOW MILES TO MY HOUSE ( I WAS ALL OUT OF TOWS ON AAA AND NO MECHANICS OPEN AT THAT TIME).NEXT WEEK MY SAAB MECHANIC INDICATES THAT IT IS THE DI FAILING. ESTIMATED COST PART/LABOR IS $550.00. I JUST REPLACED THE DI 9/15/2003 AFTER A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED AND ALL POWER WAS LOST WHILE DRIVING, I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO SAAB. COST TO ME THE FIRST TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY $450.00 NOT INCLUDING CAR RENTAL. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD ON THE '99S AS ALL THESE POSTED COMPLAINTS INDICATE AND I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THE CURRENT RECALL IS NOT INCLUDING '99S. I'VE HELD OFF REPLACING THE REPLACEMENT THAT LASTED ONLY 20,000 MI/2 YEARS HOPING TO GET SOME RECOGNITION/HELP FROM SAAB WITH THIS. PART IS AVAILABLE. OBVIOUSLY THE CURRENT (FAILED) DI IN MY CAR IS A 2000 - 2002 SAAB DI - SO WILL THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS REPAIR? THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I ADAMANTLY BELIEVE SAAB SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE 99S AS (I HAVE FOUND OUT) IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS. *NM

Mileage: 105,000

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE EXPRESS LANES OF 90/94 IN CHICAGO AND EXPERIENCED A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER. WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY TRAVEL TO EXIT AND GET OFF ONTO SURFACE STREETS. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED. THIS IS THE *SAME* COMPONENT THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR LATER MODEL YEARS OF MY VEHICLE. *NM

Mileage: 56,000

REGARDING NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05017 I EXPERIENCED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM)) "CASSETTE" ON MY (MY) 1999 SAAB 9-5. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT A RED LIGHT FROM APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. I DID NOT CONFIRM WHETHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGE WAS EXPERIENCED AS WELL. MY CAR AT REST IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WAS MOST CERTAINLY A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, AT THE CORNER OF ST. ANDREWS BLVD AND GLADES ROAD IN BOCA RATON, FLORIDA 33431. I REPLACED THE IDM AND HAVE KEPT THE ORIGINAL FOR POTENTIAL STUDY OF FAILURE. *JB

Mileage: 56,883

THE IGNITION CASSETTE ON MY 1999 SAAB 9-5 REQUIRED REPLACEMENT TWO YEARS AGO WHEN MY HUSBAND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNIT. IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND WE PURCHASED THE PART AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT OURSELVES (ONE OF THE FEW THINGS ON A SAAB THAT IS NOT DIFFICULT). I SEE NOW THAT SAAB HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR CARS BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM, BUT INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER THE 1999 MODEL. *JB

Mileage: 78,223

I WAS SHOPPING WITH MY WIFE AND 2 LITTLE CHILDREN, WHEN WE CAME OUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START, REQUIRED TOW AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION, TURNED OUT TO BE THE IGNITION MODULE OR DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE, REPLACED WITH NEW ONE AT DEALER AT MY EXPENSE OF $400. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1999 SAAB MODEL 95 THAT EXPERIENCED AN IGNITION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WOULD START BUT WOULD NOT RUN PROPERLY. THE CAR WOULD LURCH OR CONVULSE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE WOULD STALL AND THEN DIE COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE AND THE DIC WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *AK

Mileage: 84,000

CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO DEALER, DIAGNOSED AS DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED PART. *NM

Mileage: 37,391

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING, NO WARNING LIGHTS ,NO PRECURSOR-VERY DANGEROUS AS IS UNPREDICTABLE- MECHANIC UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE-OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING, AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY TO DRIVE CAR. *JB

Mileage: 115,900

2 DIRECT IGNITION MODULES FAILED ON MY SAAB 95 SE V-6 CAR WHICH CAUSED RAW GAS TO RUIN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. REPAIR COST ~$2600. TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE IN APRIL COMPLAINING OF SURGING AND JERKING WHILE DRIVING. THREE DAYS LATER SAAB SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM - THEY RESET THE COMPUTER WHICH ALLEVIATED THE SITUATION FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE PROBLEM RETURNED. IN JULY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE DIRECT IGNITION PROBLEM. WITH THE FREQUENCY THAT SAAB'S DI'S ARE FAILING, WHY HAVEN'T THEY RECALLED THE PART? IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION - BOTH FROM THE CAR FAILING AT HIGHWAY SPEED TO POTENTIAL FIRE. ALSO,IF MY PROBLEM HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED PROPERLY IN APRIL, I WOULD HAVE AVOIDED THE EXPENSE OF A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER ($1400 PLUS LABOR & TAX). AFTER INVESTIGATING SAAB USER NETS, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T SAAB DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?

Mileage: 91,492

1999 SAAB 9-5 WITH V6 ENGINE. SUDDEN FAILURE OF BOTH IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULES (IDM) ON HIGHWAY RENDERED CAR INOPERABLE. ON A BUSINESS TRIP WITH TWO COWORKERS, DRIVING NORTH ON NEW YORK INTERSTATE 87 AT AROUND 65-70 MPH, CAR STARTED TO BUCK AND SURGE, WITH DRAMATIC LOSS IN ENGINE POWER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I MANAGED TO CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO APPROACHING OFFRAMP. BUCKED AND WHEEZED MY WAY TO A BUSNIESS PARK, WHERE I CALLED FOR A TOW TO THE LOCAL SAAB DEALRSHIP. FAILURE WAS IMMEDIATE AND WITH NO WARNING. CONSEQUENCES WERE PUTTING THREE LIVES IN PERIL ON THE INTERSTATE BY SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND FORCED CANCELLATION OF BUSINESS TRIP DUE TO LACK OF TRANSPORTATION. DEALER DIAGNOSED CRITICAL FAILURE OF BOTH IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULES (ALSO REFERRED TO AS DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTES). BOTH MODULES REPLACED ALONG WITH 6 SPARK PLUGS, AT A TOTAL COST OF $835.33 TO ME.

Mileage: 72,850

THIS COMPLAINT IS REPRESENTS AN ADDITIONAL EVENT UNDER NHTSA ACTION # PE05017. ON MAY 15, 2004 THE AUTOMOBILE WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE FROM MY RESIDENCE, HAVING BEEN USED TO DO LOCAL ERRANDS, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED BUCKING AND SURGING. GIVEN THE CLOSENESS OF THE RESIDENCE TO THE START OF THE PROBLEMS, THE CAR LIMPED HOME, WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, AND THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF. AT THAT POINT, A BURNING SMELL PERMEATED THE AIR. AFTER THE CAR COOLED DOWN, WE TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, TO NO AVAIL. WHEN THE CAR TURNED OVER, WE COULD SEE WISPS OF SMOKE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHICH INSTALLED TWO DI CASSETTES AT A COST OF $1200.

Mileage: 35,216

DROVE CAR (COLD) FROM HOME TO NEXT TOWN - MAYBE 10MILES APART. LET THE CAR SIT FOR @45 MINS. DROVE BACK IN THE DIRECTION OF HOME - ABOUT 8 MILES INTO DRIVE HOME, CAR STARTED TO CHUG WITH NO WARNING, WAS NOT SPEEDING, LOCAL ROAD WITH TRAFFIC, "CHECK ENGINE"LIGHT CAME ON - PULLED OFF TO NEAREST GAS STATION - ABOUT MILE DOWN THE ROAD. CHECKED OIL - CAR DID NOT NEED OIL. DROVE CAR TO MECHANIC - ANOTHER MILE FROM GAS STATION - CAR CONTINUING TO CHUG. TECHNICIAN TESTED CAR WITH COMPUTER AND SAID THE #2 CYLINDER IN THE DIRECT IGNITION, WAS NOT FIRING PROPERLY AND THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS, ALL THE GAUGES READ "NORMAL" CAR IS SERVICED PROPERLY. WHY SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED? THE CARE IS RARELY DRIVEN THROUGHOUT THE WEEK - I COMMUTE VIA FERRY SO THE CAR IS GENERALLY COLD OR DRIVEN 10-15 MILES REGULARLY. OCCASIONAL LONG TRIPS @90MILES AT MAX. PLEASE INVESTIGATE - I DO NOT THINK I SHOUDL HAVE TO PAY FOR "NEW IGNITION" ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM THE CAR'S SYSTEM AND THE CAR IS SERVICE REGUARLY. THE CAR IS 1999 SAAB 9.5SE 4 CYLINDER WITH @90K MILES. I DO NOT EXPECT THIS FROM SAAB - MY FAMILY HAS ALWAYS HAD SAABS AND EXPECT BETTER PERFORMANCE. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP. THANK YOU. MARIA ROSE

Mileage: 93,000

IGNITION CASETTE FAILURE--SECOND REPLACEMENT IN 12 MONTHS!!!! EVEN THOUGH THE DEFECT WAS FOUND (AND DOCUMENTED!) IN JANUARY 2005 (LESS THAN 12 MONTHS AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT IN FEBRUARY OF 2004), SAAB WILL NOT PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS AS IT IS CLAIMING THAT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED UNTIL APRIL.

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THREE COMPLETE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURES ON THE 1999 SAAB 9-5. *MR THERE WERE NO WARNINGS. THE DI CASSETTE AND THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS EXPERIENCED BULB FAILURES FAILURES ON A REGULAR BASIS AND HE TRULY BELIEVED THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *JB

CAR IS A SAAB 9-5 2.3L, LPT WAGON, 1999. THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED, FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS NOT TOTALLY DISABLED AND WE COULD GET TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WITH THE CELL ON. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE FAILURE OF THIS PART AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WHICH RISKS A CATASTROPHE. THIS VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN BADLY AND WITHIN 4 DAYS THE CELL CAME ON AND THE NEXT TIME IT WAS DRIVEN WAS TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE DIG AND PLUGS REPLACED. THE CAR IS 5 MONTHS OLD ON A 4 YEAR WARRANTY, BUT MILEAGE IS ON 35,900 AT THE DEALER. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH SAAB CONSUMER SERVICE, SAAB AGREED TO PAY FOR ALL PARTS BUT NOT THE LABOR. APPARENTLY THEY ARE AWARE INTERNALLY OF THIS PROBLEM ON 1999 AND LATER SAAB 9-5'S AND THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THERE OUGHT TO BE AN ABSOLUTE RECALL FOR THIS, AND IF SO WE SHOULD ALSO BE REIMBURSED OUR LABOR CHARGE. WE ARE ALSO UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER THE CASSETTES NOW PRODUCED ARE EQUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE.*AK

Mileage: 35,810

CAR IS A SAAB 9-5 2.3L, LPT WAGON, 1999. THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED, FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS NOT TOTALLY DISABLED AND WE COULD GET TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WITH THE CELL ON. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE FAILURE OF THIS PART AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WHICH RISKS A CATASTROPHE. THIS VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN BADLY AND WITHIN 4 DAYS THE CELL CAME ON AND THE NEXT TIME IT WAS DRIVEN WAS TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE DIG AND PLUGS REPLACED. THE CAR IS 5 MONTHS OLD ON A 4 YEAR WARRANTY, BUT MILEAGE IS ON 35,900 AT THE DEALER. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH SAAB CONSUMER SERVICE, SAAB AGREED TO PAY FOR ALL PARTS BUT NOT THE LABOR. APPARENTLY THEY ARE AWARE INTERNALLY OF THIS PROBLEM ON 1999 AND LATER SAAB 9-5'S AND THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THERE OUGHT TO BE AN ABSOLUTE RECALL FOR THIS, AND IF SO WE SHOULD ALSO BE REIMBURSED OUR LABOR CHARGE. WE ARE ALSO UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER THE CASSETTES NOW PRODUCED ARE EQUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE.*AK

Mileage: 35,810

COMPLETE, INSTANTANEOUS SHUTDOWN OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AT SPEED. LOSS OF POWER, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, HAD TO ANGLE ACROSS TWO LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC WHILE COASTING! THANKFULLY, NO ONE HIT ME! HAD TO REPLACE THE "DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE". THIS FAILED COMPLETELY. *NM

Mileage: 118,000

COMPLETE, INSTANTANEOUS SHUTDOWN OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AT SPEED. LOSS OF POWER, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, HAD TO ANGLE ACROSS TWO LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC WHILE COASTING! THANKFULLY, NO ONE HIT ME! HAD TO REPLACE THE "DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE". THIS FAILED COMPLETELY. *NM

Mileage: 118,000

COMPLETE, INSTANTANEOUS SHUTDOWN OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AT SPEED. LOSS OF POWER, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, HAD TO ANGLE ACROSS TWO LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC WHILE COASTING! THANKFULLY, NO ONE HIT ME! HAD TO REPLACE THE "DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE". THIS FAILED COMPLETELY. *NM

Mileage: 118,000

WHILE ENTERING I-80 FROM A REST STOP AND ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS ENGINE JUST QUIT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND IT RE-STARTED IMMEDIATELY. I CONTINUED WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEM. ON REACHING COLORADO SPRINGS, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL SAAB DEALER, EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM, AND THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS MY WIFE HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE KEY WHEN ADJUSTING HERSELF IN THE CAR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT, AND SUGGESTED IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO JIGGLE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE DATES GIVEN FOR THE INCIDENT BELOW ARE A SLIDE FICTION - IT HAPPENED IN 2004, AND I THINK IN MAY, BUT DO NOT RECALL FOR SURE, NOR DO I RECALL THE EXACT DATE. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE PASSING LANE IN MY 1999 SAAB 1995 ACCELERATING FROM 65 MPH TO 75 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHEN I REACHED ABOUT 75 MPH. IT SMELLED LIKE PLASTIC WAS BURNING AND NOTHING ON THE CAR WAS OPERATIONAL.*AK TRAFFIC WAS VERY HEAVY AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT THAT HIGH SPEED. SUCH CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A COMPONENT IS UNACCEPTABLE WHEN DRIVING AT TODAY?S SPEEDS AND TRAFFIC. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE DIC (DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE) FOR $738.10. THE CAR WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY.

Mileage: 43,566

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE PASSING LANE IN MY 1999 SAAB 1995 ACCELERATING FROM 65 MPH TO 75 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHEN I REACHED ABOUT 75 MPH. IT SMELLED LIKE PLASTIC WAS BURNING AND NOTHING ON THE CAR WAS OPERATIONAL.*AK TRAFFIC WAS VERY HEAVY AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT THAT HIGH SPEED. SUCH CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A COMPONENT IS UNACCEPTABLE WHEN DRIVING AT TODAY?S SPEEDS AND TRAFFIC. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE DIC (DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE) FOR $738.10. THE CAR WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY.

Mileage: 43,566

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE PASSING LANE IN MY 1999 SAAB 1995 ACCELERATING FROM 65 MPH TO 75 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHEN I REACHED ABOUT 75 MPH. IT SMELLED LIKE PLASTIC WAS BURNING AND NOTHING ON THE CAR WAS OPERATIONAL.*AK TRAFFIC WAS VERY HEAVY AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT THAT HIGH SPEED. SUCH CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A COMPONENT IS UNACCEPTABLE WHEN DRIVING AT TODAY?S SPEEDS AND TRAFFIC. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE DIC (DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE) FOR $738.10. THE CAR WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY.

Mileage: 43,566

STATION WAGON STALLED TRAVELING AT SPEED OF 40 MPH. WAS ABLE TO START CAR AFTER ABOUT 1 HOUR. TOOK CAR TO SAAB DEALER FOLLOWING DAY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM. NEXT DAY CAR STALLED GOING UP HILL AT 20 MPH - CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO SERVICE STATION. NEW IGNITION CASSETTE WAS INSTALLED BY FRITSCHS EXXON 99 S. NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA 19063 12/30/2004. THEY KEPT OLD PART. PHONE 610-353-3007. THEY OBTAINED NEW PART FROM MAINLINE SAAB IN ARDMORE, PA. I HAD TO RENT A CAR.*AK

Mileage: 65,612

STATION WAGON STALLED TRAVELING AT SPEED OF 40 MPH. WAS ABLE TO START CAR AFTER ABOUT 1 HOUR. TOOK CAR TO SAAB DEALER FOLLOWING DAY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM. NEXT DAY CAR STALLED GOING UP HILL AT 20 MPH - CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO SERVICE STATION. NEW IGNITION CASSETTE WAS INSTALLED BY FRITSCHS EXXON 99 S. NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA 19063 12/30/2004. THEY KEPT OLD PART. PHONE 610-353-3007. THEY OBTAINED NEW PART FROM MAINLINE SAAB IN ARDMORE, PA. I HAD TO RENT A CAR.*AK

Mileage: 65,612

STATION WAGON STALLED TRAVELING AT SPEED OF 40 MPH. WAS ABLE TO START CAR AFTER ABOUT 1 HOUR. TOOK CAR TO SAAB DEALER FOLLOWING DAY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM. NEXT DAY CAR STALLED GOING UP HILL AT 20 MPH - CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO SERVICE STATION. NEW IGNITION CASSETTE WAS INSTALLED BY FRITSCHS EXXON 99 S. NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA 19063 12/30/2004. THEY KEPT OLD PART. PHONE 610-353-3007. THEY OBTAINED NEW PART FROM MAINLINE SAAB IN ARDMORE, PA. I HAD TO RENT A CAR.*AK

Mileage: 65,612

THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS PART WOULD FAIL, UNTIL IT DID FAIL. I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF, ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ROLL OFF AN OFF-RAMP, BUT DID CREATE AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PART WAS A "DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE", PART #9197559, AND IT WAS EASILY REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HIS FACILITY.*AK

Mileage: 85,000

THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS PART WOULD FAIL, UNTIL IT DID FAIL. I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF, ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ROLL OFF AN OFF-RAMP, BUT DID CREATE AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PART WAS A "DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE", PART #9197559, AND IT WAS EASILY REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HIS FACILITY.*AK

Mileage: 85,000

THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS PART WOULD FAIL, UNTIL IT DID FAIL. I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF, ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ROLL OFF AN OFF-RAMP, BUT DID CREATE AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PART WAS A "DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE", PART #9197559, AND IT WAS EASILY REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HIS FACILITY.*AK

Mileage: 85,000

FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASETTE. THE VEHICLE LEFT ME STRANDED AT THE GAS STATION AND LATER THAT NIGHT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PLEASE INSTITUTE A RECALL. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!

Mileage: 88,680

I HAD A FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE ON MY SAAB. THIS RESULTED IN AN IMMEDIATE, UNANTICIPATED ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH SAABS. TO ME THIS CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR SAAB DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. IN MY CASE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE 2 POLICE VEHICLES RESPOND WITHIN MINUTES TO DIVERT HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.*AK THIS PART IS NOW BEING REPLACED.

Mileage: 68,000

I HAD A FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE ON MY SAAB. THIS RESULTED IN AN IMMEDIATE, UNANTICIPATED ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH SAABS. TO ME THIS CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR SAAB DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. IN MY CASE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE 2 POLICE VEHICLES RESPOND WITHIN MINUTES TO DIVERT HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.*AK THIS PART IS NOW BEING REPLACED.

Mileage: 68,000

I HAD A FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE ON MY SAAB. THIS RESULTED IN AN IMMEDIATE, UNANTICIPATED ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH SAABS. TO ME THIS CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR SAAB DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. IN MY CASE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE 2 POLICE VEHICLES RESPOND WITHIN MINUTES TO DIVERT HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.*AK THIS PART IS NOW BEING REPLACED.

Mileage: 68,000

1999 SAAB 9-5 DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED. LEFT CAR STRANDED. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. MANY SAAB OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED DANGEROUS FAILURES OF THIS COMPONENT.*AK

Mileage: 76,000

1999 SAAB 9-5 DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED. LEFT CAR STRANDED. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. MANY SAAB OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED DANGEROUS FAILURES OF THIS COMPONENT.*AK

Mileage: 76,000

1999 SAAB 9-5 DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED. LEFT CAR STRANDED. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. MANY SAAB OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED DANGEROUS FAILURES OF THIS COMPONENT.*AK

Mileage: 76,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND THE BRAKES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED 3 TIMES THE CASSETTE IGNITION MODULE, PART 9197559 AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $400.OO. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND THE BRAKES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED 3 TIMES THE CASSETTE IGNITION MODULE, PART 9197559 AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $400.OO. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND THE BRAKES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED 3 TIMES THE CASSETTE IGNITION MODULE, PART 9197559 AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $400.OO. *AK

CAR STARTED RUNNING BADLY (MISFIRING). BASED ON NUMBER OF FAILURES REPORTED ON THE SAABNET WEBSITE, I FIGURED THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS FAILING. REMOVED IT AND FOUND A CRACKED COMPONENT IN THE CASSETTE. REPLACED THE CASSETTE WITH NEW ONE ($414 LIST PRICE) AND PROBLEM CURED. SAAB NOW WANTS FAILED CASSETTE BACK AND IS CHARGING A $250 CORE CHARGE IF IT'S NOT RETURNED. ANOTHER EXPENSIVE AND COMMON FAILURE WITH THE 9-5.*AK

Mileage: 74,000

CAR STARTED RUNNING BADLY (MISFIRING). BASED ON NUMBER OF FAILURES REPORTED ON THE SAABNET WEBSITE, I FIGURED THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS FAILING. REMOVED IT AND FOUND A CRACKED COMPONENT IN THE CASSETTE. REPLACED THE CASSETTE WITH NEW ONE ($414 LIST PRICE) AND PROBLEM CURED. SAAB NOW WANTS FAILED CASSETTE BACK AND IS CHARGING A $250 CORE CHARGE IF IT'S NOT RETURNED. ANOTHER EXPENSIVE AND COMMON FAILURE WITH THE 9-5.*AK

Mileage: 74,000

CAR STARTED RUNNING BADLY (MISFIRING). BASED ON NUMBER OF FAILURES REPORTED ON THE SAABNET WEBSITE, I FIGURED THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS FAILING. REMOVED IT AND FOUND A CRACKED COMPONENT IN THE CASSETTE. REPLACED THE CASSETTE WITH NEW ONE ($414 LIST PRICE) AND PROBLEM CURED. SAAB NOW WANTS FAILED CASSETTE BACK AND IS CHARGING A $250 CORE CHARGE IF IT'S NOT RETURNED. ANOTHER EXPENSIVE AND COMMON FAILURE WITH THE 9-5.*AK

Mileage: 74,000

1999 SAAB 9-5 STALLING PROBLEM. SOMETIMES WHEN IN TRAFFIC. HAPPENED WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS (25-40 MPH). DEALER KEPT CAR FOR ONE WEEK THEN DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS DEFECTIVE "ECU" WHICH IT REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $900. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 2003.

Mileage: 54,000

FAILURE OF DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. VEHICLE (1999 SAAB 9-5 SE) STOPS RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND CANNOT BE RESTARTED. BASED ON REPORTS IN SAABNET.COM, THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 63,000

FAILURE OF DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. VEHICLE (1999 SAAB 9-5 SE) STOPS RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND CANNOT BE RESTARTED. BASED ON REPORTS IN SAABNET.COM, THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 63,000

FAILURE OF DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. VEHICLE (1999 SAAB 9-5 SE) STOPS RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND CANNOT BE RESTARTED. BASED ON REPORTS IN SAABNET.COM, THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 63,000

2ND TIME THE SID DISPLAY HAS FAILED, AFTER RESEARCHING, THIS IS A KNOWN AND WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH SAAB SID DISPLAYS FOR MANY YEARS. HAVE CONTACTED SAAB AND SO FAR WILL NOT REPLACE. CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRENTY, BUT CAN'T GET ANY INFORMATION FROM CAR ABOUT WARNINGS, ERRORS, TIME, DATE, RADIO STATION. *AK

Mileage: 78,000

CONSUMER STATED THE POWER MEMORY FEATURE THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, HAS NOT OPERATED PROPERLY FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS, THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR TILT FEATURE FOR BACKING OFTEN DOES NOT RESPOND, AND WHEN IT DOES THE MIRROR DOES NOT RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL MEMEORY POSITION, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH, HOWEVER 4 WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM REOCCURED, ALSO THE POWER SEATS LOSE THEIR MEMORY LOCATIONS AND WILL DEFAULT TO WHATEVER POSITION THE SEAT WAS IN WHEN THE MEMORY WAS LOST, CONSUMER SUSPECTS THIS MAYBE DUE TO A CONNECTOR OR WIRING PROBLEM.*JB

CONSUMER TRIED TO START VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. HE CALLED SAAB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHO ADVISED HIM TO REFILL BATTERY FLUID. HE, THEN JUMP STARTED VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FLASH FROM THE BATTERY AND IT CRACKED. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY, AND STATED THAT BATTERY GOING DRY, AND IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. DASH INDICATOR DID NOT SHOW A PROBLEM WITH BATTERY.*AK

BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING, WAS IN PARKING LOT AT THE TIME, AND HAD NO PRIOR WARNING. WAS A LOUD BANG AND VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC HAD NO INDICATION OF WHAT CAUSED EXPLOSION. *AK

WATER SOMEHOW ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND CORRODED THE MAIN COMPUTER CAUSING THE A/C AND LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. 8ET

WATER SOMEHOW ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND CORRODED THE MAIN COMPUTER CAUSING THE A/C AND LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. 8ET