2004 Saab 9-3: engine stalls while driving

Filed Aug 8, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 1,855 miles · MA

While driving, without any warning the car engine stalls. No warning at all!! Once it stops, ignition key won't work. The only way to restart the car is to disconnect the battery. This is all done in the emergency shoulders, breakdown lanes, its also happened on the highway exit ramps. Luckily each time there was a place to pull over. We could get killed. It has happened numerous times . Sometimes it stalls 2-3 times a day. I am so disappointed in this car. I am afraid to drive it, and how can I sell it knowing that something bad could happen to the new owner.

Filed Aug 27, 2015 · Engine · 151,000 miles · IL

Approximately 5 minutes after starting, the car stalled on a busy, 6 lane road. The engine was not able to start again, or even attempt to ignite. The check engine light was on. The car spent 2 days in the mechanic, who was able to source a p1605 error code. However, he told us only a licensed saab technician could extract details from the code. While at the shop, the car was also started by the mechanics and appeared to be working normally, upon which they deleted the error code. Two days after the initial incident, we drove it back approximately 12 miles back home without any issues. Later that same day, the car stalled a second time on the expressway after 10-15 minutes of driving; fortunately I was driving in the right-hand lane and was easily able to pull over on the shoulder. After the car was towed to a specialized saab mechanic, they were able to conclude that the issues were stemming from a defective ecu (engine control unit). We exchanged the ecu with a brand new part, at the cost of $1400. While clearing up the finances, I spoke with a service representative at the mechanic/dealer who informed me that while my car was in the shop, there were 2 more cars that had came in with the same problem. Also, customer service from an online saab parts retailer informed me that this has been a known problem to him, based off other customers' experiences. Their cars would stall, be fine after cooling down, but would stall again later.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Fuel system · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the fuel filter had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.

Filed Jan 13, 2012 · Electrical, Fuel system · 100,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 45 MPH the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure occurred intermittently. The fuel gauge on the instrument panel was also functioning erratically while driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Electrical, Transmission · 115,000 miles · NJ

Car instrumentation panel turns off while driving. Car "acts" as if it was off with the red circular alarm flashing, console lights off, clock off, yet I am driving at 50 MPH and the brakes, steering are performing as if I was driving down the road (as I am). Stopped for dinner came out and car did not turn on, light came on, engine light came on but nothing else - could not open trunk from the key fob thing or from the driver side door switch. Called aaa they could not turn the car on and the car battery was charged. Key in ignition and brake depressed did not release car shifter to neutral. This went on for an hour. Finally I need to get into trunk and found a plastic cap behind the rear seat head rest and depressed a switch that owned the trunk although it was to pull down the rear seat... We joked that now the car would turn on and it did when by happenstance the high beams were depressed. Got in the car and drove it home but again the car still driving normally lost the console lights and functionality so I flashed the high beam and all came back except for clock, oh, did I mention now I have a "gear box malfunction" displayed as an error code. Oh, I reported that I replace headlights almost every 2-3 months. My interior cabin fan isn't working and that was after it worked even with the car turned off.

Filed Jul 21, 2006 · Electrical · 31,224 miles · NY

My car stalls while accelerating or deacelerating and the cannot be restarted. Dealer now has the auto and has indicated it is the main module and cannot be repaired. The car is a 2004 saab convertible 2.0t 9 3. The car was leased on april 23, 2004. Although the manurfacturer's warranty indicates repair or replace, the dealer does not want to replace the vehicle. They actually would like me to have the lease terminated and to roll the last three payments into a new lease with a new car.

Filed Mar 16, 2005 · Airbags, Engine · 15,123 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Owner was driving at approximately 65 MPH the check engine light came on and the vehicle stalled. Vehicle "b" rear ended owner's vehicle while being driven at 70 MPH. Upon impact, the frontal air bags failed to deploy. Owner sustained injuries, was taken to the emergency room and released.

Filed Feb 3, 2005 · Engine · 120 miles · OR

Engine may stall when cold and car is traveling 30-45mph. Nearly lost control of vehicle on 2 occasions due to loss of steering and ran onto shoulder/lawn of homeowner. We have had the vehicle in 4 times for repairs or modifications in attempts to fix this but saab will not even admit there is an issue that needs fixing.

Filed Dec 22, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 766 miles · CA

While driving at 5 MPH and leaving a shopping mall consumer depressed the brakes, and seconds later the traction control failure light came on. Vehicle stalled, and could not be started. Vehicle had been to the dealer twice, who replaced the t6ecm or main computer.