Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Saab 9-3 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS HE WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR EMISSIONS TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REJECTED DUE TO THE CODES THAT SHOWED ON THE EMISSION TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE IDM CODE, WHICH IS THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, OVER HEAT AND FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE IT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: MODULE). HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY LATER INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $700 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 106,871.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. IN 2006, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V399000. THE FAILURE WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME, BUT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED AS A PRECAUTIONARY REMEDY. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND OFTEN STALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FURTHER LIABILITY. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED CORRECTLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
SAAB 2000 9-3 TURBO CONTINUED TO BE PLAGUED WITH NO START PROBLEMS (RECALLED ITEM REPAIRED BY SAAB DEALERSHIP. OIL SLUDGE AS A RESULT OF PROBLEMS RELATED TO RECALL CAUSED ENGINE/TURBO TO FAIL AT 94,000 ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO MECHANIC. SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP IS DOCUMENTED AND SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. TURBO FAILURE. *TR
THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING FOR MANY YEARS AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VARIOUS SAAB SERVICE CENTERS WITHOUT MUCH LUCK. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR ISSUED ON THE PART WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED THEY SAID THAT MY DI CASSETTE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE JUST HAD TO PAY AND REPLACE THIS PART AND I FEAR THAT THIS DAMAGED PART HAS COMPROMISED OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. TWO MONTHS LATER, HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE) AND HE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE A NEW IGNITION MODULE WAS ALREADY INSTALLED. DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED DUE TO IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
2000 9-3 HAD THE IGNITION MODULE RECALL DONE A FEW YEARS AGO. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE MOTOR STOPPED. LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC BECAUSE IT WAS PLUGGED. THEY SAID IT COULD BE CAUSED BY THE IGNITION MODULE. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED PARTS FOR A RECALL WERE PURCHASED AT AN AFTERMARKET PARTS STORE. THE NHTSA RECALL WAS # 05V399000 CONCERNING THE IGNITION MODULE. WHILE APPLYING FOR REIMBURSEMENT, THE CONTACT WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE PROOF OF PAYMENT WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE PURCHASE WAS PAID FOR WITH A CREDIT CARD.
2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLS WHILE IN MOTION DUE TO IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM). *TS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE . ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE IDM PROBLEMS, BUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NM
CONSUMER 2000 9-3 SAAB ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE IGNITION CASSETTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER ONE MONTH LATER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM HE HAD FIXED THE PREVIOUS MONTH. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE WERE IT REMAINS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. A RECALL, # 05V399000 WAS PERFORMED ON APRIL 26, 2006 CONCERNING THE IGNITION MODULE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS SPORADICALLY BEFORE START UP AND WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED. AFTER SITTING A WHILE, THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. AN NHTSA RECALL, #05V399000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: MODULE HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.
SINCE PURCHASING MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 [XXX] IN 2003, I HAVE SPENT $9,000 IN VEHICLE REPAIRS WHICH HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY BECOME "RECALL NOTICES" ISSUED FROM SAAB CARS USA. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE FAILED FALL 2004 - WITH SUBSEQUENT REPAIR COVERAGE UNDER A RECALL NOTICE ISSUED 5/17/05. THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE FAILED IN 7/05, WITH REPAIRS SUBSEQUENTLY COVERED THROUGH AN IDM RECALL NOTICE ISSUED 3/31/06. AT THE TIME OF THE IDM FAILURE IN 7/05, THE SAAB DEALERSHIP ALSO DIAGNOSED CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE. DO THE MAJOR MECHANICAL ISSUES THAT EXIST WITH THIS VEHICLE CAUSE A CASCADE OF EVENTS WHICH HAVE DAMAGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NOW REQUIRING REPLACEMENT? *NM *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE. *NM
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET WHEN MY CAR STALLED, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG PRIOR TO THE CAR DYING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL SAAB DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE DI CASSETTE AND DID A SOFTWARE UPGRADE. I WAS NOT INJURED, HOWEVER, I AM FRIGHTENED TO THINK WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS DRIVING 65 ON A BUSY HIGHWAY! *NM
RELATED TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER (INVESTIGATION #) : PE05017. (1) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED ON AND OFF. I HAD A TECHNICIAN RUN THE CODES. THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (DIC) WAS SENDING ERROR CODES INDICATED POSSIBLE IMMINENT FAILURE. (2) THE DIC DID NOT FAIL YET ON MY CAR (NOW HAS 68,000 MILES). GIVEN SAAB'S HISTORY WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE (TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHEREVER IT HAPPENS), I DIDN'T TAKE ANY CHANCES. (3) ON THE ADVICE OF OTHER SAAB OWNERS AND MY INDEPENDENT SAFE TECHNICIAN, I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A NEW DIC. THE OLD PART IS STILL AVAILABLE. I'M HOLDING ONTO IT IN CASE THE NEW ONE FAILS. *NM
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 SAAB 9-3 AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON THE H-3 ENROUTE TO KANEOHE, HI. ON THE DOWN HILL SIDE, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. NOTHING ON THE SID OR OTHER INSTRUMENTATION. THE CAR HAD PLENTY OF FUEL. SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART SEVERAL TIMES. SINCE SHE WAS COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL SAAB DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THEY ASCERTAINED THE PROBLEM TO BE FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. COST FOR REPLACEMENT WAS $647.79. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED DUE TO RAW FUEL BEING DUMPED THROUGH THE EXHAUST AFTER THE DI CARTRIDGE FAILED. THE CONVERTER WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE UNDER THE EMISSION WARRANTY AFTER AN EXTENSIVE CORRESPONDENCE AND TELEPHONE EXCHANGE WITH SAAB USA. THE CAR HAD 69,779 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS EVENT OCCURRED. I STILL DRIVE THE CAR (105,000 MILES), BUT CARRY A SPARE DI CASSETTE JUST IN CASE IT SHOULD FAIL AGAIN.*AK
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE GSP DURING THE EVENING RUSH HOUR (5PM OR SO) IN THE LEFT LANE ON THE EXPRESS SIDE. PICKUP TRUCK APPROXIMATELY 4 FT OFF MY REAR BUMPER(NJ YOU KNOW). HEAVY RAIN. MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 VIGGEN JUST SHUT OFF.NO WARNING. NO POWER TO GET TO APPROPRIATE SHOULDER SO I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR OFF THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO THE MUD. AFTER BEING TOWED TO DEALER I GOT THE CAR BACK THE NEXT DAY. DI CASSETTE FAILURE WAS THE DIAGNOSIS.COME TO FIND OUT, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SAAB DI CASSETTES. ONE DAY LATER, CAR BACK IN SHOP FOR 4 DAYS. DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR DUE TO NO ENGINE POWER. CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILURE A DIRECT RESULT OF DI FAILURE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BIG PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS TO SOME LITTLE OLD LADY, IT'S DEFINITELY A PROBLEM AT SPEED. WITH THE ADVANCED ON BOARD DIAGNOSTICS AND INFORMATION DISPLAYS, THERE IS NO WAY THIS SHOULD HAPPEN.*AK
I WAS CASUALLY DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER AND THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUTOFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT RESTART. FORTUNATELY, I HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO CARRY ME TOWARDS THE CURB. BUT I HAD TO CUT ACROSS A LANE TO MAKE IT TO THE CURB. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, THEY KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS - FAILED IGNITION CASSETTE. THE DEALER SAID THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH SAABS AND THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE FAILURE. I FIND THIS ODD CONSIDERING THE CAR HAS A SERVICE INFORMATION DISPLAY. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO IT WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED BY THE DEALER IN 2 DAYS. BUT AT 42,000 MILES, I FIND IT SCARY AS I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE NEXT TIME IT WILL FAIL - IN ANOTHER 40,000? HAD THIS BEEN A TIME WHEN I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WHICH I FREQUENTLY TRAVEL, THIS SUDDEN SHUT-DOWN COULD HAVE CAUSED FATAL CONSEQUENCES FOR MYSELF, MY FAMILY, AND/OR SURROUNDING MOTORISTS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *JB
DI CASSETTE FAILURE I WAS DRIVING IN THE I80 DURING RUSH HOUR (5:30 PM NEAR SAN FRANCISCO-RICHMOND) AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE ENGINE DIED ON ME. I HAD TO CUT ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH A DEAD ENGINE TO GET TO THE SIDE. I AM SURPRISED THAT I COULD EVEN DO THIS GIVEN THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY NASTY SINCE I WAS JUST COMING AROUND A CORNER WHEN IT OCCURRED. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SAAB DEALER. APPARENTLY THE DI CASSETTE HAS FAILED AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED PLUS SPARK PLUGS ($725) AND POSSIBLY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ($1,100). ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNINGS GIVEN ON THIS NOR WOULD IT BE DETECTABLE IN A NORMAL SERVICE. DOING SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH SAAB'S AROUND THE WORLD. VERY INTERESTINGLY MOST COMMENTS DESCRIBE CIRCUMSTANCES SIMILAR TO MINE WHERE THE ENGINE DIES WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS HAS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE OCCUPANTS AND OTHER USERS OF THE HIGHWAYS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. OPTIONS WOULD BE A FULL RECALL OR A PROPER WARNING SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS THE PART TO BE REPLACED BEFORE CATASTROPHE. *JB
FAILED DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE LEAVES MOTORIST STRANDED. THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS THAT THE ENGINE WILL STOP WITH NO WARNING - EVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS OF TRAVEL. *LA
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE. A CHILD, KNEELING IN THE PASENGER SEAT (NO ONE ELSE WAS INVEHICLE) TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON, THE CAR STARTED IN REVERSE AND JERK BACKWORDS TROWING THE CHILD FROM THE VEHICLE, HITTING HIM WITH THE PASSENGER DOOR, HITTING THE GARAGE IN WHICH IT WAS HOUSED, AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO ACROSS THE YARD HITTING A TREE AND ENDING UP IN THE BRUSH. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE, WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE FROM ALL FRONT AND REAR SEATS. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THE CAR HAS NO SAFETY DEVICE PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING IN GEAR. THERE IS EVIDENTLY NO SAFTEY SWITCH REQUIREING THE CLUTCH TO BE DEPRESSED OR ANY OTHER MEANS OF STOPPING THE CAR FROM STARTING IN GEAR AND TAKING OFF CAUSING UNTHINKABLE DAMAGE TO PEOPLE AND PROPERTY. I THOUGHT THERE HAD TO BE A SAFETY SWITCH ON THE CLUTCH FOR CARS BUILT IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF THERE IS ANY SUCH REQUIREMENT IN EFFECT. ALSO, IF NO REQUIREMENT IS IN EFFECT, PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO HOW I CAN HELP TO GET ONE LEGISLATED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE ANY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT CAN REACH OVER TO THE CENTER CONSOLE AND START A SAAB IN REVERSE. THANKS YOU YOUR ASSISTANCE.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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