2000 Saab 9-5: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 20, 2011 · Fuel system · 146,000 miles · CA

Driving slowly in heavy traffic, I noticed a loss of power when I attempted to merge with freeway traffic. The gas gauge needle was dropping quicker than normal, and the gasoline fumes became apparent after cracking a window. The engine stalled for the third and last time as I exited the freeway. Upon inspection, I could see that the fuel 'line out' from the pump under the back seat had come out, forcing fuel out onto the road, just in front of my right rear wheel. I was able to push it back in as the retaining clip was not broken. With air in the line, it took a while to start up and get to a nearby gas station. Double zip-ties when I got home. Called my saab guy who said there had been a recall, and I need to get their late fix bracket. It will never come out again of its own accord, and I'm thankful that I didn't have to get it towed - this time.

Filed Jul 17, 2011 · Fuel system · 146,000 miles · CA

Driving in heavy traffic after leaving work, I noticed no loss of power until I attempted to merge with freeway traffic. Soon enough, though I did notice that the gas gauge needle was dropping quicker than normal, and the gasoline fumes became apparent after cracking the windows. The engine stalled for the third and last time just as I escaped off the freeway. Upon inspection, I could see that the fuel line out from the pump under the back seat had come out, forcing all (of that oh-so-precious) fuel out onto the road, just in front of my right rear wheel. I pushed it back in (fuel tank 'roads?), as the retaining clip was not broken. Now with some air in the line, it took a while to suck enough fumes to start up and get to a nearby gas station. Smooth as silk after a dose of fuel. Double zip-ties when I got home. Called my saab guy who said there had been a recall, and I need to get their 'after fix' bracket. It will never come out again, and I'm grateful I didn't have to get towed this time.

Filed Jul 5, 2010 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · OH

2000 saab 95 automobile has poor performance and loss of power. Saab dealer replaced direct ignition cassette (dic) in 2006 under recall and the problem has developed again. The dealer will not replace a second dic. This is both expensive and dangerous for highway operation. The part has problems.

Filed Jan 25, 2008 · Electrical · 59,000 miles · MA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. While approaching a stop light at 10 MPH, the vehicle began vibrating excessively and the engine light illuminated on the instrument control panel. Minutes later, the interior lighting dimmed, the vehicle dramatically decelerated, and a burning smell was present. The vehicle lost power, but was restarted 15 minutes later. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer and they stated that the vehicle was experiencing the same failure as stated in the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v399000 (electrical system:ignition:module). The contact would have to pay for the repair. The vehicle is currently being repaired. He filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The failure and current mileages were 59,000.

Filed Jun 26, 2007 · Electrical · 83,320 miles · CO

Electrical system:ignition:module failure caused overheating of the engine. The engine stalled while on the interstate highway. This could have caused an accident as lost all power steering and power brakes. Auto mobile was 2000 saab 9-5 with a v-6 reference recall notice 05v399000, saab denies this vehicle was under the recall.

Filed Jun 19, 2007 · Electrical · 196,600 miles · GA

Car lost power on interstate, noticed engine light on. Obdii scanner gave two codes, 1306 and 306, which indicated misfire cylinder 6. I removed the saab direct ignition to visually inspect cylinder 6. I notice engine oil in the vicinity ,and a cracked idm. It mated with cylinder 6 spark plug. Idm replacement resolved misfire.

Filed May 29, 2007 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · NH

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to pull off the road before the vehicle completely shut off. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the cause of failure was the ignition module. This failure was the same as noted in the federal safety agency recall # 05v399000 (electrical system:ignition:module). The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2007 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · OH

Tl* - the contact called regarding a 2000 9 5 saab. The contact was making a left hand turn and lost power as she was turning. The check engine light started blinking. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact stated that she pressed down on the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle barely had any power. The vehicle did not lose power steering or brakes. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the mechanic. The contact stated it took the mechanic three attempts before they could duplicate what had happened . The mechanic diagnosed the problem as the ignition discharge module overheating. Therewas a recall for the same problem, and the same year/make and model. Ve however, when the contact called saab she was told the vehicle was not a part of the recall. *ak updated 04/12/07.

Filed Feb 16, 2006 · Electrical · 67,000 miles · NY

When exiting the interstate, the car suddenly lost power and the check engine light came on. There was then a smell like an overloaded or burning electrical or electronic part. We drove to the first safe place to stop the car, checked under the hood and found no fire but the smell was very strong. We called the nearest saab dealer and had them make arrangements to tow the car in. After checking the car, they found that the ignition module had burned-out which in turn allowed raw gas in the exhaust to damage the catalytic converter. There is an existing recall (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 05v399000) which seems to describe the exact problem that I have experienced, but I have been told by saab that my VIN number is not covered by this recall. I feel that this incident and failure should be covered under this recall.

Filed Jan 18, 2006 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · CO

Idm cassette failure on a 2000 saab 9-5 se (6-cylinder). The car had reduced power and rough operation, lurching with acceleration, and nearly stalling. I was afraid this pregnant woman was going to be left stranded on the side of a dark, country highway on a cold winter night! The next day, power was reduced even further and eventually, the car stalled and will not start up. It was towed to a mechanic who thought the recall on the part (recall 05v‑399) would replace the defective idm cassette. The car was then towed to an authorized dealer for replacement. This part is not covered in a 2000 9-5 se. The recall only applies to 2000-2002 saab 9-5's which are 4-cylinder and 2001 9-5's with the 6 cylinder. This is the same part as in those recalled vehicles and should be replaced and included in the recall as well.

Filed Jan 26, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 82,500 miles · VT

While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. No restart. Internal failure of cat. Converter, replaced cat. Converter. *bf the problem was the r & r ignition module. After the ignition repair, the consumer felt a loss of power. The consumer was informed that the catalytic converter was clogged. *sc

Filed Sep 3, 2004 · Electrical · 36,300 miles · VA

Direct ignition cassette (dic) failure 2000 saab 9-5 aero the dic on my 2000 saab 9-5 aero failed at 65mph causing engine failure and subsequent loss of vehicle control. No restart. Viewed owner feedback at www.saabnet.com and realised dic failure rate on 9-5 model (all years) seems extremely high. Owners have commented that saab recognizes the defect and in some cases provides spare dic's but has declined to recall. Saab refused to comment, to me, on the failure rate or defect trend for this dic. The dic fails without warning causing engine to stall. Failure at highway speed could be catostrophic. I have seen other owners comment that dic failure can be accompanied by a great deal of smoke and possibly fire. Gm recalled saturn ignition modules as did vw. Wondering why saab has not. (1) irratic engine speed with intermittent hesitation during acceleration. (2) loss of engine power and vehicle control (3) replaced digital ignition cassette, defective part is available.