2002 Saab 9-5: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 4, 2010 · Electrical · 103,000 miles · IN

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 (the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jun 23, 2006 · Electrical · 81,285 miles · NY

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Apr 26, 2006 · Electrical · 76,000 miles · FL · fire

I would like to cite the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Aug 22, 2005 · Electrical · MD

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.

Filed Jun 8, 2005 · Engine · 20,000 miles · PA

While driving on the new jersey turnpike at 70 MPH the engine shut down, and vehicle lost power. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and computer was replaced. However, vehicle continued to shut down.*ak..in spring of 2004 .general sales automotive cover dealer of westchester, pennsylvania told consumer that the problem was due to carbon buildup in the engine. They cleaned the cylinder, and told consumer that this wasn't under warranty. This cost consumer approximately $500.00. Despite the cylinder's being cleaned vehicle continued to stall/hesitate at speed of 35-45 MPH. Brought vehicle back to dealer in april 2005, and was informed by dealer that they weren't able to duplicate the problem. *ak the consumer feel as though this is a frustrating situation and feels it is unsafe with these recurring problems.

Filed Nov 8, 2004 · Electrical · 43,000 miles · 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.

Filed Aug 3, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 22,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jan 9, 2004 · Electrical · 25,000 miles · IN

Driving at steady 65 MPH, car suddenly lost power, and engine stopped after I pulled to side of interstate.diagnosed as failed direct ignition cassette and replaced by dealer.

Filed Jan 10, 2003 · Engine, Steering · CT

While driving at highway speed vehicle shut down ,causing loss of power steering. Please add any additional information.*jb..

Filed Nov 18, 2002 · Engine · NY

The car stalled without warning while driving, losing power steering and brakes. Each occurance happened while driving 45 MPH. Dt