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1999 Saab 9-3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Saab 9-3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 61.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports

Visibility complaints

4 reports
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35,000 miles · Oct 20, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

I WANTED TO ALERT YOU TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE '99 SAAB 9-3. THEY HAVE A CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM CONTROLS TO BECOME SO STIFF THAT IT CAUSES THE KNOB TO SNAP OFF RENDERING THE SYSTEM USELESS. SAAB IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRES THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR …

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I WANTED TO ALERT YOU TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE '99 SAAB 9-3. THEY HAVE A CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM CONTROLS TO BECOME SO STIFF THAT IT CAUSES THE KNOB TO SNAP OFF RENDERING THE SYSTEM USELESS. SAAB IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRES THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS THAT IN THEIR TERMS "MAY" SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. THESE INCLUDE REPLACING THE KNOB ($10.00), THE SHAFT ($200.00), AND THE VENTILATION CONTROL BOX ($600.00). IT APPEARS THAT SAAB CONSIDERS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS TO BE A LUXURY NOT A NECESSARY SAFETY SYSTEM. I THINK THAT YOUR AGENCY WOULD DISAGREE WITH SAAB ASSESSMENT AND SHOULD REQUIRE A MORE PROACTIVE CORRECTIVE PLAN FROM THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043249

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2003
Visibility

THE CONTROL KNOB FOR THE DEFROSTER/AIR DIRECTION HAS BROKEN 7 TIMES. THE SAAB DEALER, SAAB NASHUA NORTH SAID IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THAT YEAR AND MODEL. SAAB HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR NOW THAT THE WARRENTY HAS RUN OUT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030295

60,000 miles · Feb 26, 2003
Visibility

99 SAAB 93 - AT 60K MILES..NEEDED TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD...TURN THE VENTILATOR CONTROL AND IT SNAPPED OFF...SAAB TELLING ME THEY ISSUED DEALERS A BULLETIN ON THIS..REPAIR COST ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600 AND UP TO $2000.00 US DOLLARS...WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE REPAIR FOR 1 YEAR INFERRING THAT AT 120K MILES THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN...…

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99 SAAB 93 - AT 60K MILES..NEEDED TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD...TURN THE VENTILATOR CONTROL AND IT SNAPPED OFF...SAAB TELLING ME THEY ISSUED DEALERS A BULLETIN ON THIS..REPAIR COST ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600 AND UP TO $2000.00 US DOLLARS...WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE REPAIR FOR 1 YEAR INFERRING THAT AT 120K MILES THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN...PERSONALLY FEEL THE ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVELY ENGINEERED . VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT THE COST TO REPAIR CAN APPROACH 1/5 THE CAR'S BLUE BOOK VALUE...VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL OCCUR AGAIN AFTER BEING REPAIRED AND PUT MY SAFETLY IN JEAPORDY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10008127

14,900 miles · Jan 21, 2001
Visibility

WHEN TURNING THE DIAL WHICH CONTROLS THE DIRECTION OF VENTILATION OUTPUT (WINDSHIELD/DASH VENTS/FLOOR VENTS), THE ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE DASHBOARD BREAKS, NOT ALLOWING YOU TO CONTROL VENTILATION OUTPUT. THIS KEEPS THE DRIVER FROM BEING ABLE TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS OF FOG. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS BROKEN, AND…

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WHEN TURNING THE DIAL WHICH CONTROLS THE DIRECTION OF VENTILATION OUTPUT (WINDSHIELD/DASH VENTS/FLOOR VENTS), THE ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE DASHBOARD BREAKS, NOT ALLOWING YOU TO CONTROL VENTILATION OUTPUT. THIS KEEPS THE DRIVER FROM BEING ABLE TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS OF FOG. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS BROKEN, AND THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***739722

NHTSA ODI #10006384

Official recalls

3

99V362000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 29, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WITHOUT THIS LABEL, SOMEONE MAY USE THE INCORRECT SPECIFICATION BRAKE FLUID, GET DIRT INTO THE RESERVOIR, OR ALLOW MOISTURE INTO THE BRAKE FLUID, RESULTING IN LESS EFFECTIVE BRAKING AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

99V246000 · Seats

Sep 13, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. FAILURES OF THE "EASY ENTRY" CABLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER MANUAL SEATS CAN CAUSE THE SEAT FORE/AFT ADJUSTABLE MECHANISM TO BE UNLOCKED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SINCE THE ANCHOR POINTS FOR THE LAP PORTION OF THE FRONT SAFETY BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY, RELEASE OF THE FORE/AFT LOCKING MECHANISM REDUCES THE RESTRAINT CAPABILITY OF THE SAFETY BELTS IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CABLE AND SPRING ASSEMBLY.

98V139000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 23, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE05017 · Engine Stall/ Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Apr 7, 2005 · Closed Sep 23, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:ignition:module

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IDM DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP FOR BOTH A 4-CYLINDER AND 6-CYLINDER ENGINE, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 4-CYLINDER WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WITH NO ABILITY TO BE RESTARTED.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 6-CYLINDER ENGINE WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE DRIVER WILL INITIALLY EXPERIENCE REDUCED POWER AND ROUGH OPERATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ONLY BE RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH.IF THE DRIVER CONTINUES, UNBURNT FUEL IN THE EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND NOT RESTART.THERMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS AND THE UNDERBODY MAY ALSO RESULT FROM PROLONGED DRIVING.THE RECALL POPULATION ENCOMPASSES 84% OF THE STALLING AND FIRE COMPLAINTS (215 FOR VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES AND 36 FOR VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES).THE 36 MONTHS IN SERVICE (MIS) STALLING RATES FOR EACH MODEL YEAR OF RECALLED VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES WERE ALL GREATER THAN TWO PERCENT.ALTHOUGH THE 36 MIS STALL RATE FOR THE RECALLED MY 2001 VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WAS LOWER, AT 1.3 PERCENT, THESE VEHICLES ALSO HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF CONFIRMED (OPEN FLAME VERIFIED) FIRES AT 62 PER 100,000 VEHICLES.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR IDM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF NECESSARY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCOPE AND REMEDY OF GM'S ACTION AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:ignition:module

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IDM DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP FOR BOTH A 4-CYLINDER AND 6-CYLINDER ENGINE, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 4-CYLINDER WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WITH NO ABILITY TO BE RESTARTED.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 6-CYLINDER ENGINE WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE DRIVER WILL INITIALLY EXPERIENCE REDUCED POWER AND ROUGH OPERATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ONLY BE RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH.IF THE DRIVER CONTINUES, UNBURNT FUEL IN THE EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND NOT RESTART.THERMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS AND THE UNDERBODY MAY ALSO RESULT FROM PROLONGED DRIVING.THE RECALL POPULATION ENCOMPASSES 84% OF THE STALLING AND FIRE COMPLAINTS (215 FOR VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES AND 36 FOR VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES).THE 36 MONTHS IN SERVICE (MIS) STALLING RATES FOR EACH MODEL YEAR OF RECALLED VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES WERE ALL GREATER THAN TWO PERCENT.ALTHOUGH THE 36 MIS STALL RATE FOR THE RECALLED MY 2001 VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WAS LOWER, AT 1.3 PERCENT, THESE VEHICLES ALSO HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF CONFIRMED (OPEN FLAME VERIFIED) FIRES AT 62 PER 100,000 VEHICLES.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR IDM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF NECESSARY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCOPE AND REMEDY OF GM'S ACTION AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Electrical System:ignition:module

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IDM DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP FOR BOTH A 4-CYLINDER AND 6-CYLINDER ENGINE, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 4-CYLINDER WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WITH NO ABILITY TO BE RESTARTED.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 6-CYLINDER ENGINE WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE DRIVER WILL INITIALLY EXPERIENCE REDUCED POWER AND ROUGH OPERATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ONLY BE RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH.IF THE DRIVER CONTINUES, UNBURNT FUEL IN THE EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND NOT RESTART.THERMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS AND THE UNDERBODY MAY ALSO RESULT FROM PROLONGED DRIVING.THE RECALL POPULATION ENCOMPASSES 84% OF THE STALLING AND FIRE COMPLAINTS (215 FOR VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES AND 36 FOR VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES).THE 36 MONTHS IN SERVICE (MIS) STALLING RATES FOR EACH MODEL YEAR OF RECALLED VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES WERE ALL GREATER THAN TWO PERCENT.ALTHOUGH THE 36 MIS STALL RATE FOR THE RECALLED MY 2001 VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WAS LOWER, AT 1.3 PERCENT, THESE VEHICLES ALSO HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF CONFIRMED (OPEN FLAME VERIFIED) FIRES AT 62 PER 100,000 VEHICLES.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR IDM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF NECESSARY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCOPE AND REMEDY OF GM'S ACTION AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Electrical System:ignition

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IDM DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP FOR BOTH A 4-CYLINDER AND 6-CYLINDER ENGINE, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 4-CYLINDER WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WITH NO ABILITY TO BE RESTARTED.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 6-CYLINDER ENGINE WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE DRIVER WILL INITIALLY EXPERIENCE REDUCED POWER AND ROUGH OPERATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ONLY BE RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH.IF THE DRIVER CONTINUES, UNBURNT FUEL IN THE EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND NOT RESTART.THERMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS AND THE UNDERBODY MAY ALSO RESULT FROM PROLONGED DRIVING.THE RECALL POPULATION ENCOMPASSES 84% OF THE STALLING AND FIRE COMPLAINTS (215 FOR VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES AND 36 FOR VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES).THE 36 MONTHS IN SERVICE (MIS) STALLING RATES FOR EACH MODEL YEAR OF RECALLED VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES WERE ALL GREATER THAN TWO PERCENT.ALTHOUGH THE 36 MIS STALL RATE FOR THE RECALLED MY 2001 VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WAS LOWER, AT 1.3 PERCENT, THESE VEHICLES ALSO HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF CONFIRMED (OPEN FLAME VERIFIED) FIRES AT 62 PER 100,000 VEHICLES.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR IDM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF NECESSARY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCOPE AND REMEDY OF GM'S ACTION AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Electrical System:ignition

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IDM DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP FOR BOTH A 4-CYLINDER AND 6-CYLINDER ENGINE, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 4-CYLINDER WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WITH NO ABILITY TO BE RESTARTED.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 6-CYLINDER ENGINE WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE DRIVER WILL INITIALLY EXPERIENCE REDUCED POWER AND ROUGH OPERATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ONLY BE RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH.IF THE DRIVER CONTINUES, UNBURNT FUEL IN THE EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND NOT RESTART.THERMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS AND THE UNDERBODY MAY ALSO RESULT FROM PROLONGED DRIVING.THE RECALL POPULATION ENCOMPASSES 84% OF THE STALLING AND FIRE COMPLAINTS (215 FOR VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES AND 36 FOR VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES).THE 36 MONTHS IN SERVICE (MIS) STALLING RATES FOR EACH MODEL YEAR OF RECALLED VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES WERE ALL GREATER THAN TWO PERCENT.ALTHOUGH THE 36 MIS STALL RATE FOR THE RECALLED MY 2001 VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WAS LOWER, AT 1.3 PERCENT, THESE VEHICLES ALSO HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF CONFIRMED (OPEN FLAME VERIFIED) FIRES AT 62 PER 100,000 VEHICLES.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR IDM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF NECESSARY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCOPE AND REMEDY OF GM'S ACTION AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Electrical System

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IDM DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP FOR BOTH A 4-CYLINDER AND 6-CYLINDER ENGINE, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 4-CYLINDER WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WITH NO ABILITY TO BE RESTARTED.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 6-CYLINDER ENGINE WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE DRIVER WILL INITIALLY EXPERIENCE REDUCED POWER AND ROUGH OPERATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ONLY BE RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH.IF THE DRIVER CONTINUES, UNBURNT FUEL IN THE EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND NOT RESTART.THERMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS AND THE UNDERBODY MAY ALSO RESULT FROM PROLONGED DRIVING.THE RECALL POPULATION ENCOMPASSES 84% OF THE STALLING AND FIRE COMPLAINTS (215 FOR VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES AND 36 FOR VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES).THE 36 MONTHS IN SERVICE (MIS) STALLING RATES FOR EACH MODEL YEAR OF RECALLED VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES WERE ALL GREATER THAN TWO PERCENT.ALTHOUGH THE 36 MIS STALL RATE FOR THE RECALLED MY 2001 VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WAS LOWER, AT 1.3 PERCENT, THESE VEHICLES ALSO HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF CONFIRMED (OPEN FLAME VERIFIED) FIRES AT 62 PER 100,000 VEHICLES.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR IDM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF NECESSARY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCOPE AND REMEDY OF GM'S ACTION AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Electrical System

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IDM DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP FOR BOTH A 4-CYLINDER AND 6-CYLINDER ENGINE, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 4-CYLINDER WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WITH NO ABILITY TO BE RESTARTED.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 6-CYLINDER ENGINE WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE DRIVER WILL INITIALLY EXPERIENCE REDUCED POWER AND ROUGH OPERATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ONLY BE RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH.IF THE DRIVER CONTINUES, UNBURNT FUEL IN THE EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND NOT RESTART.THERMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS AND THE UNDERBODY MAY ALSO RESULT FROM PROLONGED DRIVING.THE RECALL POPULATION ENCOMPASSES 84% OF THE STALLING AND FIRE COMPLAINTS (215 FOR VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES AND 36 FOR VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES).THE 36 MONTHS IN SERVICE (MIS) STALLING RATES FOR EACH MODEL YEAR OF RECALLED VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES WERE ALL GREATER THAN TWO PERCENT.ALTHOUGH THE 36 MIS STALL RATE FOR THE RECALLED MY 2001 VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WAS LOWER, AT 1.3 PERCENT, THESE VEHICLES ALSO HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF CONFIRMED (OPEN FLAME VERIFIED) FIRES AT 62 PER 100,000 VEHICLES.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR IDM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF NECESSARY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCOPE AND REMEDY OF GM'S ACTION AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.