Vehicle quit on highway would not restart mechanic informed me ignition coil N/G and there was a recall from Saab but the serial #on mine is not entitled.

- Danville, NH, USA

Blinking check engine light. Happens every time I accelerate hard. The failure was in the direct ignition cassette. Causing misfire and possible damage to the cat. Dealer will not replace.

- Pittsfield, NH, USA

: the contact stated while parking, smoke was noticed coming in through the vents. After exiting the vehicle, it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and filled out a report. A police report was also filed on the scene before the vehicle was towed. One passenger sustained minor injuries. The dealer has not been alerted.

- Brookline, MA, USA

In March 2006 my 2000 Saab 9-5 wagon burst into flames under the hood and the entire front end of the car burned. The car was totaled.

- Silver Spring, MD, 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

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 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.

- Brighton, MA, 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