Failure of direct ignition (di) unit (1) car began running rough and stalling at stop lights. A progressive worsening problem that the dealer could not diagnose after couple of mentions of problem. (2) car died in middle of street, had to call service to tow to dealership. (3) unit was replaced (under warranty at time).

- Los Alamos, NM, USA

While driving on a very busy L.a. freeway on a Saturday evening my car suddenly lost power with no warning to the point of almost stalling. Lucky for me I say my prayers and was able to navigate to the off ramp and coast on to the street where I was pushed out of traffic by a good samaritan (I'm a single female driver). I noticed the check engine light was on. I was able to start it again after awhile and chugged home 30 slow miles to my house ( I was all out of tows on aaa and no mechanics open at that time).next week my Saab mechanic indicates that it is the di failing. Estimated cost part/labor is $550. I just replaced the di 9/15/2003 after a similar incident happened and all power was lost while driving, I coasted to the side of the road and had it towed to Saab. Cost to me the first time was approximately $450 not including car rental. Needless to say this is a huge safety hazard on the '99S as all these posted complaints indicate and I'm not understanding why the current recall is not including '99S. I've held off replacing the replacement that lasted only 20,000 mi/2 years hoping to get some recognition/help from Saab with this. Part is available. Obviously the current (failed) di in my car is a 2000 - 2002 Saab di - so will they take responsibility for this repair? this is ridiculous! I adamantly believe Saab should take responsibility for this problem on the 99S as (I have found out) it is a known problem among owners.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA

I was driving my car at highway speeds in the express lanes of 90/94 in Chicago and experienced a dramatic loss of power. Was able to slowly travel to exit and get off onto surface streets. Had to have car towed to dealer. Direct ignition cassette was replaced. This is the *same* component that is currently under a voluntary recall for later model years of my vehicle.

- Chicago, IL, USA

I was shopping with my wife and 2 little children, when we came out the car would not start, required tow and alternative transportation, turned out to be the ignition module or direct ignition cassette, replaced with new one at dealer at my expense of $400.

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

The ignition cassette on my 1999 Saab 9-5 required replacement two years ago when my husband observed smoke coming from the unit. It was no longer under warranty, and we purchased the part and made the replacement ourselves (one of the few things on a Saab that is not difficult). I see now that Saab has issued a recall for cars because this problem, but interestingly enough, the recall does not cover the 1999 model.

- Chugiak, AK, USA

The consumer stated that on the 1999 Saab 9-5 the ignition module, failed. This happened in October of 2004. The vehicle was stalling while driving at speeds of over 50 mph. The vehicle has since been fixed by the consumer. The ignition module was replaced in the car. The consumer bought the replacement part from the dealership and repaired the problem himself. The car was running fine since the module replacement. The consumer did contact GM, and they sent the consumer an E-mail replying that Saab was an innovator and some vehicles do experience some problems. The vehicle stalled once. The consumer believed the 1999 models have an ECU in which the ignition control software parameters cannot be updated unlike the 2000 and later year models.

- West Minister, CO, USA

Car stalls while driving, no warning lights, no precursor-very dangerous as is unpredictable- mechanic unable to find cause-occurred while driving and idling, am afraid for my families safety to drive car.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

2 direct ignition modules failed on my Saab 95 SE V-6 car which caused raw gas to ruin the catalytic converter. Repair cost ~$2600. Took car in for service in April complaining of surging and jerking while driving. Three days later Saab said they couldn't find a problem - they reset the computer which alleviated the situation for several days. The problem returned. In July the engine light came on. Took the car to the dealer and they identified the direct ignition problem. With the frequency that Saab's di's are failing, why haven't they recalled the part? it creates a dangerous situation - both from the car failing at highway speed to potential fire. Also, if my problem had been diagnosed properly in April, I would have avoided the expense of a new catalytic converter ($1400 plus labor & tax). After investigating Saab user nets, this is a known problem. Why isn't Saab doing something about this?

- Dayton, OH, USA

1999 Saab 9-5 with V6 engine. Sudden failure of both ignition discharge modules (idm) on highway rendered car inoperable. On a business trip with two coworkers, driving North on New York interstate 87 at around 65-70 mph, car started to buck and surge, with dramatic loss in engine power. Check engine light came on and I managed to cross two lanes of traffic to get to approaching offramp. Bucked and wheezed my way to a busniess park, where I called for a tow to the local Saab dealrship. Failure was immediate and with no warning. Consequences were putting three lives in peril on the interstate by sudden loss of engine power, and forced cancellation of business trip due to lack of transportation. Dealer diagnosed critical failure of both ignition discharge modules (also referred to as direct ignition cassettes). Both modules replaced along with 6 spark plugs, at a total cost of $835.33 to me.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

This complaint is represents an additional event under NHTSA action # PE05017. On May 15, 2004 the automobile was approximately one mile from my residence, having been used to do local errands, when the engine started bucking and surging. Given the closeness of the residence to the start of the problems, the car limped home, was stopped in front of the house, and the ignition was shut off. At that point, a burning smell permeated the air. After the car cooled down, we tried to start it again, to no avail. When the car turned over, we could see wisps of smoke in the engine compartment. A tow truck was called and the car was towed to a dealership, which installed two di cassettes at a cost of $1200.

- Newton, MA, USA

Car is a Saab 9-5 2.3L, lpt wagon, 1999. The direct ignition cassette failed, fortunately the car was not totally disabled and we could get to the dealer for diagnosis, with the cell on. There have been numerous reports of the failure of this part at highway speed, which risks a catastrophe. This vehicle began to run badly and within 4 days the cell came on and the next time it was driven was to the dealer. The problem was diagnosed and the dig and plugs replaced. The car is 5 months old on a 4 year warranty, but mileage is on 35,900 at the dealer. After discussion with Saab consumer service, Saab agreed to pay for all parts but not the labor. Apparently they are aware internally of this problem on 1999 and later Saab 9-5's and the direct ignition cassette. There ought to be an absolute recall for this, and if so we should also be reimbursed our labor charge. We are also uncertain as to whether the cassettes now produced are equally susceptible to failure.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

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.

- Far Hills, NJ, USA

While driving on the interstate in the passing lane in my 1999 Saab 1995 accelerating from 65 mph to 75 mph, the engine suddenly stopped running when I reached about 75 mph. It smelled like plastic was burning and nothing on the car was operational. Traffic was very heavy and luckily I was able to roll to the right side of the road without getting hit or causing an accident at that high speed. Such catastrophic failure of a component is unacceptable when driving at today?S speeds and traffic. After having the car towed to the dealership, they replaced the dic (direct ignition cassette) for $738.10. The car was just out of warranty.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Station wagon stalled traveling at speed of 40 mph. Was able to start car after about 1 hour. Took car to Saab dealer following day, they were unable to identify problem. Next day car stalled going up hill at 20 mph - car had to be pushed into service station. New ignition cassette was installed by fritschs exxon 99 S. newtown square, pa 19063 12/30/2004. They kept old part. Phone 610-353-3007. They obtained new part from mainline Saab in ardmore, pa. I had to rent a car.

- Media, PA, USA

There was no indication that this part would fail, until it did fail. I was driving and the engine just shut off, on the highway. I was able to pull to the side of the highway and roll off an off-ramp, but did create an unsafe condition while still on the highway. The part was a "direct ignition cassette", part #9197559, and it was easily replaced by my mechanic after the car was towed to his facility.

- Chicago, IL, USA

I had a failure of the direct ignition cassette on my Saab. This resulted in an immediate, unanticipated engine failure with no warning on the highway. This caused my vehicle to immediately die in the middle of the highway. I have since learned that this is not an uncommon problem with Saab. To me this constitutes a serious safety issue for Saab drivers and passengers. In my case I was fortunate enough to have 2 police vehicles respond within minutes to divert highway traffic. This part is now being replaced.

- Malden, MA, USA

1999 Saab 9-5 direct ignition cassette failed. Left car stranded. This item should be recalled. Many Saab owners have experienced dangerous failures of this component.

- Eagan, MN, USA

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.

- Amherst, NY, USA

Car started running badly (misfiring). Based on number of failures reported on the saabnet website, I figured the direct ignition cassette was failing. Removed it and found a cracked component in the cassette. Replaced the cassette with new one ($414 list price) and problem cured. Saab now wants failed cassette back and is charging a $250 core charge if it's not returned. Another expensive and common failure with the 9-5.

- Washington, IL, USA

Failure of direct ignition cassette. Vehicle (1999 Saab 9-5 SE) stops running in traffic and cannot be restarted. Based on reports in saabnet.com, this is a relatively common failure.

- Greeley, CO, USA