2001 Saab 9-5: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 4, 2006 · Electrical · 57,894 miles · TX

Dt*: the contact stated while driving there was a noticeable loss of power. The vehicle was taken the service dealer where a 24 point inspection was preformed and the throttle body was cleaned. While traveling at 35 MPH., on the interstate highway, on a clear, dry day, there was loss of all power. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer where the contact was informed the engine suffered a complete engine failure and needed to be rebuilt. The manufacturer offered to cover $2,000.00 of the estimated repair cost however the contact was unable to proceed with the repair work. Since then a recall notice (05v399000) was received regarding the ignition discharge module (saab recall # 05087). The contact believed that the recall defect was responsible for the engine failure.

Filed Apr 26, 2006 · Engine · 117,785 miles · MI

The consumer received a letter from saab stating that problems with the idm could cause reduced power and rough operation. The consumer experienced this problem with his 2001 saab 9/5. *nm the check engine light began to flash prior to the vehicle stalling.

Filed Jan 31, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 60,100 miles · PA · fire

I own a 2001 saab 95 se v6. Was driving down the nj tpk and the car lost power and had a small electrical like fire under the hood. Had to get the car towed from the nj turnpike off and then again to my place in bensalem pa. Total cost $77 + 66. Found out that the di cassette burned out, cost me approx $600 to fix. A day later the cat converter fails (check engine light came on again). This is certainly due to di cassette burning out. Very frustrating for a car with only 60k miles on it.

Filed Jan 10, 2006 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · WA

Ignition module failed while driving, leading to loss of power making vehicle inoperable. Catalytic converter was damaged and it and the ignition module needed to be replaced. Second time was after ignition module replace in 10/05.

Filed Nov 6, 2005 · Electrical · 92 miles · NY

I was driving vehicle 2001 saab 9-5 se (v6 engine) wagon at 45-50 MPH when it suddenly lost power and decelerated. I knew about di cassettes failure and stopped immediately. No warning lights illuminated prior or after this episode. Vehicle was towed to local saab dealer. Problem was diagnosed as a faulty direct ignition cassette and replaced with a new part for free due to future recall (di cassett only). The catalytic converter was damaged due failure of the idm too, but it does not covered and it was replaced at cost of $2026.48. +10 days I was wating for parts. This car has had other "small" electrical problems like multiple light bulb burn outs, loss of pixels on the sid display, sudden increase brightness of all lights, failure of rear seats heater.

Filed Sep 26, 2005 · Electrical · 68,500 miles · IA

On a 2001 saab 9-5 se (v6 engine) stationwagon while driving on an interstate highway, the car suddenly lost power and the check engine light started flashing. As I pulled the car off the highway onto an exit ramp (within less than a minute of the malfunction), the car stalled and a burning smell was detected inside the car after which the car was turned off and parked. The car was towed to the local saab dealer where the ignition discharge module on the rear cylinder bank was determined to have failed. Failure of the idm on only 3 out of 6 cylinders caused unburned gas to be discharged into the exhaust where it reacted in the catalytic converter, clogging the converter and stalling the engine. The catalytic converter was ruined which caused the burning smell. No fire was detected. The idm and catalytic converter were replaced.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Electrical · 108,636 miles · IL

Direct ignition cassette failed on two separate occasions, causing car to lose power and stop. Vehicle is a saab 95, 2001, v6, se wagon, date of second incident is below.

Filed Aug 8, 2005 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · OH

Ignition cassette failed while driving car. Car speed was appx 40 MPH, check engine light flashed and I lost engine power. Pulled car over and found black smoke coming out of ignition cassette. Cassette was very hot and I was concerned it would catch on fire. Car would not start thereafter.

Filed Jul 1, 2005 · Electrical · 63,500 miles · PA

I was driving vehicle at approximately 30 MPH when it suddenly lost power and decelerated to 3-5 MPH. Vehicle stalled about 30 seconds later and could not be restarted. No warning lights illuminated prior to this problem and the car seemed fine immediately before power loss. I observed heavy smoke coming from engine compartment and detected a strong burning odor. Vehicle was towed from scene to local saab dealer. Problem was diagonosed as a faulty direct ignition cassete and replaced with a new part at a cost of $500. Damaged part is available.

Filed Jun 8, 2005 · Electrical · 91,899 miles · MI

Add my 2001 saab 9-5 wagon, 6 cyl, to the list of those with di cassette failure. Traveling at about 50 MPH on a beautiful june morning the engine suddenly lost power. When I pulled off the road, a puff of smoke came from under the hood and there was a distinct burnt electrical smell when I raised the hood. My mechanic believes the faulty di cassette may have been the cause for the 2 previous catalytic converter failures. The car has had other electrical idiosyncracies, including frequent light bulb burn outs, loss of pixels on the main display screen, sudden extreme brightness of all display screens, and sporadic traction control and ABS failure warnings on starting. The latter generally goes away when the car is restarted. The saab dealer in flint and the dealer rep have been unresponsive to the point of negligence on the cat failures, luckily I have a good and honest local saab mechanic at rallye imports in midland. Saab should recall for the di cassette and should reimburse for replacement of the display screen. In 40 years of driving, this is the most unreliable car I've ever owned.

Filed Jan 17, 2005 · Electrical · CO

Add me to the list of drivers stranded on the highway with total loss of power because direct ignition cassette burnt up. The car only had 62,000 miles. It cost over $1,300 to replace.

Filed Oct 15, 2004 · Electrical, Fuel system · 25,000 miles · MA

There were no unusual events leading to the failure. My wife was driving a 2001 saab 9-5 station wagon when the engine shut down and she lost all power. Thankfully she was driving on a local road and managed to pull over to the side. The engine would not restart and we had it towed to a local garage. The person who towed said he thought it was a "crank sensor" that failed and when it fails it completely shuts down the gas to the engine. I had it repaired and the local mechanic confirmed that it was a sensor that he called direct ignition which includes the cam sensor . My concern is that if it happened on a highway at 65 MPH, there would have been a serious accident. I don't understand how a car can totally shut down like that without any warning. Saab would not take my complaint because I did not have it checked at their garage. I think that policy, when it comes to safety, is ludicrous!