1999 Saab 9-5: check engine light

Filed Dec 26, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 135,000 miles · WI

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.

Filed Jul 13, 2007 · Electrical · 127,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Aug 11, 2006 · Fuel system · 74,349 miles · SC

Dt*: the contact stated the check engine light illuminated constantly when the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer who determined that there was a crack in the fuel tank.

Filed Jun 2, 2006 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · TX

Leaking fuel tanks. I have replaced the fuel tank on this vehicle twice. The tank is now leaking again. The leaks cause the check engine light to come on (small evaporate leak code) and occasionally cause fuel vapors in the cabin. The tank is made of plastic, making it impossible to repair - must be replaced. Without replacement, vehicle will fail emissions testing and I fear fire hazard.

Filed Jun 2, 2006 · Fuel system · 95,480 miles · NY

The check engine came on recently and I took my 1999 saab 9-5 to the dealer. After several attempts to correct the problem , it was found to be a crack in the fuel tank. The car was stored outside with little gas in the tank while waiting for saab to locate a new tank. It has taken over 5 weeks and saab claims no responsibility for the problem. My question is: have there been other reports of cracked fuel tanks made for saab cars from 1999 to 2005 which all use the same tank?

Filed Mar 17, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 67,187 miles · PA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Mar 14, 2006 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · MD

(1) due to a manufacturing defect in the design of the car, a hole has developed in the top of the plastic gas tank of 1999 saab 9-5 sedan. (2) a "smoke test" has revealed the hole in the top of the tank. The car has developed a gas evaporation leak. There are prominent gas fumes and smells in the car's cabin, and the check engine light has come on. (3) this is the second gas tank on the car, the first tank was replaced by a saab dealership after it failed to pressurize properly, a related issue.

Filed Oct 11, 2005 · Electrical · 71,250 miles · MI

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.

Filed Oct 7, 2005 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jul 26, 2005 · Electrical · 91,492 miles · OH

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?

Filed Jul 22, 2005 · Electrical · 72,850 miles · NY

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.

Filed May 28, 2005 · Electrical · 93,000 miles · NJ

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