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.
Saab 9-5 power steering loss problems
11 of the 557 owner complaints about the Saab 9-5 describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 51,000
By model year
- 20042
- 20025
- 20002
- 19992
Often reported together
What owners say
I own a 2004 saab 9-5 wagon, which was purchased in nov 2004. There were approximately 31,800 miles on the car at the time of this failure, which occurred in late july 2008. (ironically, less than 2 weeks after having taken the car for routine service/oil change/tire rotation.) after having run 2 errands (I.e. Two stops & starts), I was driving to work on a relatively busy 4-lane road. Just after having come down a hill & rounding a corner, with estimated speed 35mph, the car's engine cut out, the power steering went out, & the brakes seemed not to work appropriately. I was fortunate to be in the right lane, and wound up coasting to a stop in the lane of traffic, as I had so little control of the vehicle that I was not even able to move to what little shoulder was available (the vehicle finally stopped while on a bridge). The vehicle would not restart. Fortunately, traffic behind me became aware that the car had died, and no accidents occurred. Had this failure occurred even 5 or 10 seconds earlier, however, it would almost undoubtedly have caused an accident as I would have been completely unable to navigate the turn coming downhill. After having the vehicle towed to the saab dealership, it was discovered that the "crank sensor failed electrically." fortunately, it was still under warranty & was replaced. I would not have even thought to report this had I not seen reports of similar failures in other saab models.
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.
Dt: contact stated the engine will shut off while driving. There are no warning lights or signs indicating a problem. When this happens there is no power steering or acceleration. The service dealer can not duplicate the problem. , therefore, can not repair the problem. They are going to attempt to find the problem on november 11, 2005. The manufacturer sent a regional manager, and he said it could be the ignition switch. The ignition switch was replaced, but it did not correct the problem.
Complete, instantaneous shutdown of the entire vehicle at speed. Loss of power, loss of power steering and brakes, had to angle across two lanes of high speed traffic while coasting! Thankfully, no one hit me! Had to replace the "direct ignition cassette". This failed completely.
While driving our 2004 saab 9-5 on the highway, at over 60 MPH, the ignition has been accidentally turned off. This causes an immediate loss of power steering and power brakes, making the car very difficult to steer and stop. Luckily I was in the far right lane during both incidents and could pull over and stop without causing an accident. If I had been in another lane, the resultant loss of speed and an attempt to change lanes could have caused an accident. He ignition key is located on the console between the two front seats and is not protected nor locked in any way to safegard bumping the key and turning off the ignition. My local dealer has no parts or repair to correct the problem and saab USA does not acknowledge that a problem exists.
While driving at 70 MPH vehicle intermittently stalled. This caused loss of steering and the brakes. Dealership replaced 3 times the cassette ignition module, part 9197559 at consumer's expense of $400.oo.
While driving 35-40 MPH consumer lost steering control, and hit a guard rail. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
On two occasions, there has been a total lost of power to the car. The first time on a side street going about 25 or 30. After having the car looked at a saab dealership, I was told nothing was wrong with the car and sent on my way. Over this past weekend while driving on I-95 at about 70 MPH it happened again while I was in the middle lane. No steering, no brakes, no nothing. Every person I have talked to who has owned a saab (model and year difference do not seem to matter) has experienced this problem. The mechanics are now saying that the problem is the throttle body, whatever that is. My general impression of saab's representatives (mechanics, personnel, etc.) is that this defect is not a big deal. There needs to be a recall before someone is seriously injured or killed.
While driving at highway speed vehicle shut down ,causing loss of power steering. Please add any additional information.*jb..
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
- What is wrong
- The steering knuckle castings on certain passenger vehicles may have been contaminated during the casting process.
- Risk
- These knuckles can break, resulting in possible loss of steering control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering knuckle for the casting number. If the knuckle was in the defective batch, the steering knuckle will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin during january 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.
Recall number 02V006000 · Recall details
Questions about the Saab 9-5 power steering loss
Which Saab 9-5 years have loss of power steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (5 complaints), 1999 (2 complaints) and 2000 (2 complaints).
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