Software problems of the 2003 SAAB 9-3

2003 SAAB 93 linear - heating/air condition blower motor component failure. Power driver window regulator component failure. Dealer replacing both parts. The transmission has slippage when accelerating at lower shifts after coasting at slower speeds 20 to 30 mph or hard spring to next gear from stop, very similar to complaints already recorded. Dealer has previously updated the software to correct and now suggests new value body or complete transmission.

The day prior I was driving and the car would not accelerate immediately. The next day my wife was driving with our newborn and nephew to the mall when all of a sudden the car would not accelerate on a busy street. The fastest it would go was 20-25 mph. There is only have 37k miles on it and take good care of it. This had happened also on may 1 and the customer service agent said that the computer software had a error and that they were downloading new software. He said he was familiar with this problem and that it has happened a couple times to other drivers. This seems like it would be a case for recalls. This incident could have been more severe if the car had been rear-ended.

Since purchasing my 2003 SAAB 9-3 in June the car has stalled 4 times while either at stop lights or sitting in traffic. Once the car stalled while going 40 mph. I've taken the car to the dealership several times to have the problem corrected. Each time a software upgrade is performed. And every time I contact the service dept they are surprised as to this occurrence.

After slowing down in traffic, my wife attempted to accelerate, but the engine stopped and the engine icon on the dash display was illuminated. The SAAB information display (sid) did not show any problems. Luckily she was able to restart and continue on to work. Approximately 25 miles later the engine was sluggish and almost stopped again. In addition the radio has been known to change stations by itself, and the remote mirrors will sometimes move by themselves. The car has been taken to the SAAB dealer and a software update has supposedly taken care of the mirrors and engine/ignition, but the radio problem is new. It would have been nice if SAAB had been proactive and sought out owners of this particular model (9-3 linear) sooner and notified them of a necessary software update. An engine dying in traffic, an intersection, a train crossing, etc. , can be a danger. Also, I'm still waiting for the onstar service to be installed. We purchased the car the first week in January, and now it's may and still no onstar!.