2002 Saab 9-5 Electrical Problems

IGNITION SWITCH SHUT OFF WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY TWICE! ONCE IN 2006 AND ONCE LATER ANOTHER YEAR PLUS ONCE IN A DRIVEWAY (CAR PURCHASED USED IN THE FALL OF 2005). THE SAAB SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND IF IT IS HIT IT SWITCHES OFF AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR, SAME AS RECALLED SWITCHES IN OTHER GM CARS. VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT I WAS LUCKY AND ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE WITHOUT A CRASH. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LOCK MECHANISM TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO REPORT IT THOUGH IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD IN A WHAT WAS AT THE TIME A GM OWNED PRODUCT. I STILL OWN THE CAR AND DRIVE IT DAILY ON THE SAME HIGHWAY, HOWEVER AM VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I WASN'T AWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE SHUT DOWN UNTIL IT HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST TIME. YOU SHOULD INCLUDE SAAB IN THE RECALL OF GM PRODUCTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10576665

Incident

Jul 19, 2006

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 95. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED TO REPAIR THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10568730

Incident

Mar 1, 2004

Mileage

48,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-5. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION UPON RESTARTING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE YET HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V410000- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE DEALER'S ADVICE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID

10334616

Incident

Jun 4, 2010

Mileage

103,000 mi

2002 SAAB 9-5 TURBO 4 CYLINDER IGNITION CASSETTE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10275497

Incident

Jun 24, 2009

Mileage

76,427 mi

WE HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING RECALL 05V399000 FOR OUR 2002 SAAB 9-5 AERO. OUR IDM SERIAL NUMBER FALLS WITHIN THOSE REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED BY THE RECALL. HOWEVER, SAAB WILL NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE OUR VIN # DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THEIR RECALL. OUR IDM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. OUR SAAB WAS DELIVERED IN GERMANY (IT IS US SPEC) TO A SERVICEMEMBER STATIONED THERE. WE BOUGHT IT USED WHILE STATIONED OVER THERE. NO RECALL NOTICES WERE SENT TO US OVER THERE. WE JUST STARTED GETTING RECALL NOTICES ONCE WE SHIPPED THE CAR TO THE STATES. WE HAD TO PROVIDE OUR CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN TO SAAB. SAAB TOLD US THEY HAD NO IDEA OUR CAR EXISTED UNTIL WE GAVE THEM THE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN (WHICH SOUNDS FISHY). THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE WE MOVED BACK TO THE STATES. OUR DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS OUR IDM SERIAL NUMBER AND THE PROBLEM WITH IT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL. BUT SAAB WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM FOR REPLACING IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10261651

Incident

Aug 15, 2007

2002 SAAB 9-5 HAS HAD FAILURE OF HEADLIGHT BULBS AT A RATE OF ONE OR TWO PER YEAR FROM THE VERY FIRST YEAR I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. NO OTHER BULB HAS BURNED OUT IN THE PAST 8 YR. A LOCAL GARAGE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS RELATED TO A FAULTY FRONT ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN THE SAAB BUT THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS NOT A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. NOW I HAVE 2 HEADLIGHT BULBS BURNING OUT WITHIN ONE DAY OF EACH OTHER -- ONE HIGH BEAM, ONE REGULAR. IS THERE A RECALL OF ELECTRICAL HARNESS ON SAABS TO CORRECT FREQUENT HEADLIGHT BULB BURNOUT? SO FAR I HAVE JUST BEEN REPLACING THE BULBS AT $50/BULB AT THE RATE OF ONE OR TWO PER YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10260332

Incident

Feb 27, 2009

Mileage

5,000 mi

LOSS OF REVERSING LIGHTS, TRUNK OPENING WARNING LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WITH NO INTERNAL WARNING INDICATIONS. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CAUSE WAS THE FAILURE OF TRUNK WIRING HARNESS AT 70K MILES - 2 WIRES WERE COMPLETELY SEVERED, ALL OTHERS (6) HAD LOST INSULATION. FAILURE IS AT THE FOLDING POINT JUST PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO THE TRUNK LID. CAUSE APPEARS TO BE EXCESSIVE TIGHTNESS OF THE INTERIOR WIRES. THE RUBBER BOOT WAS ENTIRELY INTACT, SEALED TO CONNECTORS IN THE BODY AND TRUNK LID AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE INDICATION OF THE INTERNAL FAILURE. WIRES ARE SEPARATE INSIDE THE BOOT UP UNTIL THE TRUNK LID ENTRY WHERE THEY ARE WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED ONLY DURING SERVICE, NOT REPORTED BY SELF-CHECK DISPLAY WHICH ALWAYS REPORTS LIGHT BULB OUTAGES IN TEXT MESSAGES ON THE 2 LINE SAAB INFORMATION DISPLAY (SECONDARY FAILURE). PRIOR TO DISCOVERY A NUMBER OF CARS HAD ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR WHEN BACKING UP (REVERSING LIGHT FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED OR KNOWN). CORRECTED TEMPORARILY BY SPLICING IN WIRES AND HEAT WRAPPING, WAITING FOR APPOINTMENT WITH THE SAAB DEALER TO REPLACE THE HARNESS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10228911

Incident

May 15, 2008

Mileage

69,500 mi

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS SUMMARY: DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PRESSURE LINE FROM FUEL TANK CAME LOOSE AND STARTED LEAKING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF GAS ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND STREET. STREAM OF FUEL ON HIGHWAY ALERTED DRIVER. LOST UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF GALLONS OF GAS QUICKLY . HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR TOW TRUCK TO TAKE TO NEAREST FACILITY. I EVACUATED THE CAR DUE TO LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS UNDER VEHICLE AND STREAMS OF FUEL NEAR HOT EXHAUST PIPES. TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED FUEL LINE HAD COME LOOSE AFTER LOOKING INSIDE PORT FROM UNDER BACK SEAT. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY BREAKAGE OR OTHER ISSUES THE FIRST EVENT-- THE LINE SIMPLY CAME LOOSE AND WAS EASILY RE-ATTACHED. THE SECOND EVENT HAPPENED IN JUNE 2007 AND FUEL AGAIN WAS POURING OUT FROM THE UNDERSIDE IN A PARKING LOT. I CALLED THE SAME INDEPENDENT DEALER WHO IMMEDIATELY HAD THE CAR TOWED . THIS TIME THE REPAIR WAS DONE WITH METAL STRAPS TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER COMING APART. I THEN RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM SAAB AFTER THIS OCCURRENCE TWO TIMES. I WAS TOLD BY SAAB USA TO SUBMIT REPAIR ORDERS FOR REIMBURSEMENT WHICH I DID. I RECEIVED A DENIAL LETTER UNTIL AN AUTHORIZED SAAB DEALER COULD CHECK THE WORK COMPLETED BY THE INDEPENDENT DEALER. I WAS CALLED BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER IN MARIETTA, GA AND TOLD THAT I MAY NEED A COMPLETE FUEL ASSEMBLY FOR $1100 DUE TO THE INDEPENDENT DEALERS REPAIRS AFFECTING ELECTRICAL WIRING. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION AND HOPEFULLY A SAAB USA WILL STAND BEHIND THE NEEDED REPAIRS. CONSULTATION ON INTERNET CHAT ROOM SAABNET.COM FINDS THAT AT LEAST 4 OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE SAAB 9-5 VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. SAAB USA IS QUESTIONING MY REPAIRS AT THE INDEPENDENT DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10200050

Incident

Oct 26, 2006

Mileage

77,314 mi

LEAVING THE I-287 IN NJ FRIDAY AROUND 3.30 PM THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER BY NOT RESPONDING TO ANY THROTTLE PRESSURE. I PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE AS SOON AS I COULD AND CAME TO A FALTERING HALT ON THE EXIT RAMP. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND ON AGAIN TO SEE IF ANY WARNING DISPLAY INFORMATION WAS GIVEN. I LOOKED UNDER THE BONNET BUT COULD SEE NO SIGN OF ANY LEAKAGE OR EXCESS HEAT. I GOT BACK IN AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT FIRED UP BUT ONLY WITH LITTLE POWER AND WOULD HARDLY REV UP. I WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD OFF OF THE EXIT RAMP AS I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION ON A FAST UPHILL GRADUAL 90 DEGREE TWO LANE RAMP WITH NO SHOULDER, THERE WAS TRAFFIC COMING CONSTANTLY, IT WAS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND POURING WITH RAIN. WHEN EVER I PUT IT INTO GEAR IT WOULD START TO MOVE BUT AS IT WAS UPHILL IT WAS NOT VERY PRODUCTIVE. I GAVE UP AFTER THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN, BUT DID MANAGE TO GET THE CAR AS CLOSE TO THE RIGHT HAND BARRIERS AS POSSIBLE SO THAT TRAFFIC COULD PASS ME WITHOUT STRADDLING LANES. I CALLED MY LOCAL GARAGE WHO ARRANGED FOR A BREAKDOWN TRUCK TO COME AND GET ME. IN THE 45 MINS IT TOOK TO FOR THEM TO GET ME I WAS EXTREMELY NERVOUS THAT A TRUCK OR FAST CAR WOULD HIT INTO THE REAR OF MY CAR, SO I HAD THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO ILLUMINATE THE BRAKE LIGHTS. IT WAS A DANGEROUS POSITION TO BE IN AND THE TRAFFIC WAS BUILDING QUICKLY FOR THE EVENING RUSH. THE TOW TRUCK GOT TO ME AT AROUND 4.30 PM AND TOOK ME AND THE CAR TO MY LOCAL GARAGE. THE GARAGE DIAGNOSED THE IDM UNITS AS FAILED, AND REPLACED THEM. ONCE I HAD THE CAR BACK, THE VERY NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THIS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS BEING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEING FAULTY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS A RESULT OF THE IGNITION UNITS FAILING AND UNBURNED FUEL BEING PUMPED IN TO THE UNIT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10169807

Incident

Sep 15, 2006

Mileage

71,000 mi

WE HAVE A 2002 SAAB 9.5 (6 CYLINDER ENGINE) WHICH HAD A DI CASSETTE FAILURE-LEAD TO CAR LOSING ACCELERATION ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ULTIMATELY REQUIRING POLICE ASSISTANCE. DI CASSETTE FAILURE LEAD TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILING AS WELL. CAR IS NOT PART OF RECALL AND SAAB WON'T PAY AS A RESULT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10166455

Incident

Aug 21, 2006

Mileage

82,830 mi

AUGUST 12, 2006 OUR 2002 SAAB 9-5 SPORTWAGON CAUGHT FIRE. RETURNING HOME FROM VACATION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED. INFORMATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND A PHONE CALL TO OUR SAAB DEALER LEAD US TO BELIEVE THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. AS WE APPROACHED THE TOLL PLAZA IN MAYS LANDING, NJ THE CAR STALLED AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. WE EVACUATED THE CAR. TOLL PERSONNEL EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND SUMMONED THE LAURELDALE FIRE COMPANY AND THE NJ STATE POLICE. THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE TOLL PERSONNEL PREVENTED A POTENTIAL DISASTER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT IN EGG HARBOR CTIY, NJ . AFTER A FEW HOURS WE WERE ABLE TO ARRANGE FORA RENTAL TO TRANSPORT US AND OUR VACATION BAGGAGE HOME. AT THIS TIME WE DID NOT KNOW THE EXTEND OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR OTHER THAN IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN TO OUR HOME AND IT WAS A SATURDAY. THE CLOSEST SAAB DEALER IN CHERRY HILL, NJ WAS NOT OPEN FOR SERVICE CALLS. WE ARRIVED HOME 5 HOURS LATER THAN EXPECTED WITH A RENTAL CAR THAT COST $125/DAY AND $0.20 A MILE + GAS. WE DROVEBACK TO NJ IN THE MORNING TO RETURN THE RENTAL BECAUSE WE DID NOT WANT TO INCUR ANY UNNECESSARY EXPENSES. SUNDAY AUGUST 13 WE TRAVELED BACK TO GALLOWAY, NJ TO RETURN THE RENTAL VEHICLE. THIS FIRE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AND SAAB SHOULD PICK UP ANY EXPENSES RELATING TO A CAR FIRE OF A 2002 VEHICLE WITH 59,518 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED, WE PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER IN CHERRY HILL, NJ AUGUST 19, 2006. REPAIRSR WERE COVERED BY SAAB ALONG WITH THE TOWING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE OF TWO IGNITION CASSETTES CAUSED A FIRE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, DAMAGING THE CONVERTER, EXHAUST PIPE, AND MOUNTS. SAAB HAS NOT EXPLAINED WHY THE MECHANICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE FIRE AND HAS GIVEN US NO ASSURANCE THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. SAAB HAS DECLINED TO PAY THE ADDITIONAL COST WE INCURRED WHICH TOTAL LESS THAN $500.00 WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH SAAB CUSTOMER SERVICE AND A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE CARRIER.

NHTSA ID

10166180

Incident

Aug 12, 2006

Mileage

59,518 mi

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN MY ENGINE STARTED TO STALL AND LOST POWER. I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND COULD NOT RE-START IT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A FAILED IGNITION MODULE. MY CAR IS A 2002 SAAB 9-5 AND HAD BEEN RE-CALLED BECAUSE OF FAILURES OF THIS COMPONENT. HOWEVER, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE CAR ENGINE WAS OF THE TYPE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE RECALL, WHEN SAAB NOTIFIED ITS' DEALERS IT LIMITED THE MODULES TO BE REPLACED TO ONLY CERTAIN SERIAL NUMBERS. THIS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT ACCORDING TO NHTSA ALL ENGINES NOT HAVING THE QP3 MODIFICATION, WHICH MY CAR DOES NOT, SHOULD HAVE BEEN RE-CALLED. THUS, SAAB REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE PART EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME PART THAT WAS FAILING AND PROMPTED THE RECALL INITIALLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A HAZARD DUE TO THE OVERHEATING OF THE PART WHICH LED TO STALLING AND COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE. SAAB SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIMIT THE SERIAL NUMBERS REPLACED BECAUSE OTHER SERIAL NUMBERS APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME DEFECT. *JB CONSUMER CALLED ON 9/12/06 TO REPORT A SECOND IDM FAILURE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 8/18/06. THE FOLLOWING IS PER A CONVERSATION W/ MRS. ALDER ON 9/14/06: DURING THIS INCIDENT, HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. AS SHE WAS PULLING OFF THE HWY, SHE SMELT A BURNING SMELL AND SAW SMOKE COMING INTO THE CAR. PULLED OVER AND STARTED TO CALL HUSBAND WHEN SHE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED. SHE REPORTED THAT THE DEALER SAID HER CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD BURNED. *CAR

NHTSA ID

10160629

Incident

Jun 21, 2006

Mileage

81,285 mi

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK 28 APRIL 2006 MY 2002 SAAB 9-6 B308 V6 ENGINE CAR BEGAN SPUTTERING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I MADE IT INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK THEN PROCEEDED TO CALL A SAAB DEALERSHIP. SAAB DEALERSHIP MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAR'S COMPUTER PUT ITSELF INTO "LAME" MODE AND THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE TO DEALERSHIP (15 MILES AWAY)AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AN IGNITION MODULE. I SIMPLY PULLED CAR ONTO THE PARKING LOT AND IT SPUTTERED TO A STOP/STALL, SMOKE CAME FROM THE HOOD AND IT WOULDN'T RESTART. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER THE CAR HAD ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS AN IGNITION MODULE. AFTER LOOKING THIS INFORMATION UP I FIND THAT THIS PART WAS DEFECTIVE IN AND RECALLED IN OVER 100,000 SAAB'S FROM 2000-2002 HOWEVER AFTER CALLING SAAB CORPORATE THEY DENY THAT THIS PART IS RECALLED IN MY PARTICULAR MAKE AND YEAR. MY MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE TYPE AND YEAR HOWEVER ARE LISTED AS RECALLED ON SEVERAL WEB SITES INCLUDING YOUR DOT.GOV WEB SITE. I HAD TO PAY $600 + DOLLARS TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED AND HAVE THE IGNITION MODULE REPLACED AS I NEED THIS CAR. AFTER HAVING THE PART REPLACED 2 DAYS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT THEY STATE THE CAR NOW NEEDS A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER (AS STATED BY THE SAAB DEALERSHIP) THE CAT CONVERTER WAS WARRANTED FOR 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILES BUT HAS BROKEN AFTER THE 90,000 MILE MARK. I FEEL THAT DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE IGNITION MODULE HAS GONE BAD MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE CAT CONVERTER (AS STATED CAN HAPPEN IF DRIVING CAR WITH BAD IGNITION MODULE) *JB

NHTSA ID

10156779

Incident

Apr 28, 2006

Mileage

91,000 mi

I WOULD LIKE TO CITE NHTSA CAMPAIGN #05V399000. WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 SAAB 9-5 6 CYLINDER ON 4/20/2006 I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ROUGH OPERATION AND REDUCED POWER OF THE ENGINE. I WAS A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY DESTINATION WHERE I PARKED THINKING I WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING BECAUSE THERE SEEMED TO BE STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD BUT THERE WAS AN ODD SMELL. I WENT INTO THE COFFEE SHOP I WAS VISITING AND WITHIN A MINUTE OR TWO I TURNED TO CHECK ON MY CAR AND I SAW THAT THE INTERIOR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. I WENT OUTSIDE AND NOTICED SPARKS AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE BACK SEAT AND I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE UNDER THE CAR AND IN THE BACK SEAT WHERE THE FLAMES HAD BURNED THROUGH THE CARPET. I CALLED A TOW SERVICE AND WENT BACK INTO THE STORE TO FINISH MY COFFEE AND WAIT FOR THE TOW TRUCK. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS STILL SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD SO I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AGAIN TO PUT OUT THE REMNANTS OF THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE NEAREST SAAB DEALER WHICH IS IN GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA, ABOUT 40 MILES AWAY. LATER THAT DAY I CALLED THE DEALER TO ASK ABOUT THE ABOVE REFERENCED RECALL WHICH I HAD DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR WAS NOT COVERED. IN THE LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 FROM GM TO THE NTHSA, GM STATES THAT "A SUSTAINED VEHICLE FIRE IS UNLIKELY AND GM KNOWS OF NONE." DUE TO THE EXACTNESS OF MY SITUATION AND THE RECALL, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT GM NOW HAS AT LEAST ONE FIRE ON RECORD. *JB

NHTSA ID

10156128

Incident

Apr 20, 2006

Mileage

76,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. IT WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY DETERMINED THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING AND PRODUCE DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE PARTS. THE MODULE, SPARK PLUGS AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED WHICH APPEARS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. 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. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10152799

Incident

Mar 12, 2006

Mileage

53,674 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SMELLED HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR INSPECTION AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE OIL WAS ADDED TO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL INSPECTION. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED AN INTERNAL OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMALLY.

NHTSA ID

10151103

Incident

Feb 1, 2006

Mileage

71,940 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V399000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 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.

NHTSA ID

10150176

Incident

Feb 10, 2006

Mileage

61,000 mi

ON 13 OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, STARTING 9/13/03, THE CAR'S ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS AUTOMATICALLY PUT IN "LIMP-HOME" MODE. IN LIMP-HOME MODE, THE ENGINE IS DEPOWERED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE CITY, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE THE CAR IS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH LITTLE POWER TO MANUEVER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS 12 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. VEHICLE IS LEASED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10143778

Incident

Sep 13, 2003

Mileage

8,511 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V399000 CONCERNING THE MODULE SENSOR. THIS CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 01/04/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10143144

Incident

Nov 17, 2005

Mileage

62,000 mi

DT: CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNS INDICATING A PROBLEM. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO POWER STEERING OR ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. , THEREFORE, CAN NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO FIND THE PROBLEM ON NOVEMBER 11, 2005. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REGIONAL MANAGER, AND HE SAID IT COULD BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10140850

Incident

Oct 7, 2005

Mileage

46,000 mi

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS STARTING AROUND JUNE OR JULY 2003 AND THROUGH JULY 2005, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN OPERATION (GOING 35 TO 40 MPH AND WITHIN TWO MILES OF STARTING) CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, BRAKES, AND STEERING. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS POSSIBLE TO COAST THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING STRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, HUNT VALLEY SAAB, ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ON ONE OCCASION, ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE FOR THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WAS UPLOADED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND AIR MASS METER. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS FIXED, AND EACH TIME THE CAR FAILED AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY, THE CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

10133832

Incident

Jul 29, 2005

DIRECT IGNITION CARTRIDGE FAILURES. ON THREE OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WITH NO WARNINGS. FORTUNATELY IN EACH CASE I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. IN EACH CASE THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE CARTRIDGE CALLING IT "DEFECTIVE". I AM NOT ON MY FOURTH CARTRIDGE IN 35,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10114491

Incident

Jan 24, 2005

Mileage

35,000 mi

MY 2002 SAAB 9-5 STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY 4 LANE ROAD. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THERE ARE 14 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. THIS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM A VEHICLE STALLING ON A HIGHWAY OR ANYWHERE ELSE CAN RESULT IN A CRASH OR DEATH. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF SAID ISSUE. SAAB DEALER FOUND CODE P1310 REFERRED TO TSB248-2428 AND REPROGRAMMED THE SPS. NEW #5387691 COMPLETED IDM TEST AND FOUND CURRENT STATUS 141 IDD CHECK CODE 57047. LOCATED AS AN INTERNAL FAULT IN THE IDM AND ALSO FOUND THE SPARK PLUGS FOULED. REPLACED IDM AND SPARK PLUGS. DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. A TSB MEANS THAT SAAB KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL UNSAFE GETTING INTO MY VEHICLE NOW. *JB

NHTSA ID

10102395

Incident

Dec 8, 2004

Mileage

43,041 mi

CAR FAILED AT 70 MILES/HOUR ON EXPRESSWAY. JUST STOPPED. CAUSE WAS DIAGNOSED AS DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE-WEB SEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON SAAB PROBLEM. WAS QUITE TERRIFYING AND DANGEROUS TO LOSE POWER ON EXPRESSWAY-DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

NHTSA ID

10098445

Incident

Nov 7, 2003

Mileage

43,000 mi

MARCH 25,'04, JUNE 3,O4,JUNE 10, 'O4;JULY 21'O4;AUG 2,'04: TRAVELING ALONG HIGHWAY KEEPING UP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC (65 MPH) WHEN A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER OCCURS NECESSITATING EMERGENCY AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES TO ADVERT SERIOUS MULTI-CAR CRASH. DEALERSHIP,SMITHTOWN SAAB (530 EAST JERICHO TPKE, SMITHTOWN,NY,117870) SAYS IT'S FIXED -5 TIMES. NOT. SAAB USA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING DESPITE MY NUMEROUS CALLS. CAR IS A 2002 SAAB 9-5,WITH 27,000 MLES,UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ID

10086069

Incident

Aug 2, 2004

Mileage

22,000 mi