While driving in traffic my engine suddenly stopped and would not restart. Once towed, the service center determined the failure was in a small cheap (to manufacture) hall effect sensor for crankshaft position. This failure of this little switch stopped me dead in the middle of traffic. Give the safety issue of this failure mode and the fact it is small and cheap, I would like to see a redundant sensor in the design. This redundant sensor can serve as a fail over mechanism.

- Solon, OH, USA

I have a 2000 Saab 9-5 SE, 6 cylinder engine. While driving my car simply stopped running in the middle of traffic. Once towed to the service center it was determined that the coil pack on half of the cylinders was at fault. This was replaced. I have learned that Saab has recalled the 4 cylinder coil packs but not the 6 cylinder version. Even though the 4 and 6 cylinder version are different, I would expect the manufacturing of these to be very similar. I have heard rumors from repair shops of a high failure rate of the 6 cylinder version too, as in my case.

- Solon, OH, USA

Consumer would like reimbursement for recall repairs done on a 2000 Saab 9-5. while driving the vehicle stalled in traffic. In Sept 2004 the vehicle's ignition discharge module (idm) was replaced at a charge of over $500. In April 2006 the consumer received a recall notice from Saab for the idm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who explained that the idm had already been replaced. The records did not indicate where the work had been done. The consumer would like to request reimbursement but cannot find the invoice.

- Dallas, OR, USA

I used the car only for week end ski trips twice a month or less through the winter. This occasionally required jump starts. The week of the failure the car started okay to move it to the garage so I could take the snow tires off, I then moved it back to its spot. That Friday, I drove over 100 miles from ct to brattleboro, vt, where I went to a supermarket, then a restaurant. It ran perfectly, until I finished dinner, and it would not start. It would crank, but there was no combustion. After a few long walks and many phone calls, no one could help with it and there was no place to stay for the night or cars to rent. I took a taxi 20-30 miles to my family ski house in newfane. The next morning, I called several shops and found one that could look at it. (no dealers in the area) the car was towed to them, and I got a ride from my neighbor down the mountain and back into town. The shop determined it was not a simple fix, and could not give it any more time until later in the week. I called some dealers back in ct, and had it towed there. I got my uncle to come bring me and my dog home. Tuesday, I called the dealer it was at, and they told me the direct ignition cassette failed, and would need to be replaced along with the spark plugs. The repair cost $619.01, and fixed the problem.

- Higganum, CT, USA

On 8/11/03 I was driving on us route 9 in hudson New York when my engine stopped running. Pulled to side of road. Had to be towed to Saab dealer 40 miles away. Replace ignition cassette. Was advised due to my attempt to re-start the car, raw gas got into catalytic converter. Tyhat had to be replaced several weeks later. I am writing this so late as I was unaware this may not be an isolated instance.

- Hudson, NY, USA

My car periodically will not start. The lights come on; there appears to be power; but when I turn the ignition, all I hear is a click. The car will start on a bump start (manual trans) and will take a jump. I have had the car to the dealer several times but they cannot find the problem. Happens mainly on cold starts.

- Hudson, NY, USA

Direct ignition cassette (dic) failure 2000 Saab 9-5 aero the dic on my 2000 Saab 9-5 aero failed at 65mph causing engine failure and subsequent loss of vehicle control. No restart. Viewed owner feedback at www.saabnet.com and realised dic failure rate on 9-5 model (all years) seems extremely high. Owners have commented that Saab recognizes the defect and in some cases provides spare dic's but has declined to recall. Saab refused to comment, to me, on the failure rate or defect trend for this dic. The dic fails without warning causing engine to stall. Failure at highway speed could be catostrophic. I have seen other owners comment that dic failure can be accompanied by a great deal of smoke and possibly fire. GM recalled Saturn ignition modules as did VW. Wondering why Saab has not. (1) irratic engine speed with intermittent hesitation during acceleration. (2) loss of engine power and vehicle control (3) replaced digital ignition cassette, defective part is available.

- Reston, VA, USA

On several occasions (5), I was unable to start my car. I would turn the key in the ignition and there would be no response, not even a crank. It would eventually start after many attempts. I would mention this to the service advisor each time I brought my car in and for the first three (3) times they were unable to replicate this problem. The 4th time they finally replaced the ignition switch. Thought this would fix the problem...after two weeks, my car did not start again. My 5th time to the dealer, they said it was a faulty safety switch.

- Covina, CA, USA

While traveling on the highway at a constant 50 mph, the engine stopped running. There was no indication on an impending failure. One moment the engine was running normally and then suddenly it stopped completely. Fortunately, I managed to get the car safely to the side of the road. The engine would not restart. The car was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failed direct ignition cassette. Consider myself very lucky that I was able to get to the side of the road in spite of the heavy traffic.

- Gambrills, MD, USA

2000 Saab 9-5 sedan suddenly stalled out at 60 mph as 2 tracker trailers nearly collided into my vehicle. No shoulders on this highway leaving my family in a horribly dangerous place. Vermont state police responded to provide protection. The cassette which houses the ignition failed. Both the dealer and other owners have expressed that this occurs al the time with Saab and there is no way to prevent these cars from stalling at any time!

- Bow, NH, USA