Ignition problems of the 1999 SAAB 95

My 1999 SAAB's direct ignition cassette has failed -- a very common occurrence in this model, for which a recall was issued. That recall, however, excluded 1999 model years for reasons unknown to anyone I have spoken with. My car is essentially identical to a 2000 SAAB 9-5, which is covered under recall. Had my part failed while driving, I would have been left with no power brakes, steering, etc. . . This is my wife's car, in which we carry our newborn daughter. It's a very low-mileage car (83k miles) that I take meticulous care of. This part should not fail, and should certainly be recalled if a pattern of failures exists (which it does). Thank you!.

Ignition cassette failure.

1999 SAAB 9-5 engine just shuts down while driving or idling. There was a recall of the ignition control unit on the 2000. Dealer said it's the same problem on the 1999 but wasn't included in the recall. Icm has been replaced twice at the dealer, the last time being 2 years ago and needs to be replaced again. Gm says nothing they can do since the 1999 wasn't included in the recall. Someone is going to get hurt taking an off ramp on the highway and having the car just turn off.

The contact owns a 1999 SAAB 9-5. The contact stated that her ignition cassette was failing and needed to be replaced. When she starts her vehicle, it moves sluggishly and makes noise. The check engine indicator remains illuminated and an excessive amount of fumes exit the exhaust. The dealer stated that the ignition cassette needed to be replaced and was harming the engine. The failure mileage was 135,000.

I was driving down a hill (jackman st. At water st. , appleton WI) when my 99 SAAB, went dead. At the bottom of the hill there is a blind turn to the left, a stop sign, and a railroad crossing just beyond the intersection. This is a very dangerous spot to have your car fail and have no power to the brakes or steering. The reason my car stalled was a failure of the ignition cassette. The first time this part failed, in 2002, the situation was not as dangerous, and then it was covered by warranty. I contacted SAAB customer service and sent a photo of the hill. They responded by phone that there have been no recalls for this part, nor would there be a recall. They refused to cover the cost of the tow and repair. I think that leaves SAAB owners vulnerable to accidents. I was lucky to be able to pull off at the bottom of the hill without hitting a train or causing serious injury to anyone.

The contact owns a 1999 SAAB 9-5. While driving approximately 35 mph on normal road conditions, pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal and there was excessively low power. The vehicle was operating roughly and was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the failure was related to the ignition cassettes. The vehicle was repaired. On a separate occasion, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an identical failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 73,000 and current mileage was 109,000.

Direct ignition cassette failure. It caused the car to stall in an intersection. I was in a traffic lane turning left with oncoming traffic when it failed. I replaced it at the dealer for $400. 00.

Vehicle was not starting. Repair shop diagnosed problem as failure of direct ignition cassette, which is a known issue with this vehicle, but was not involved in a recent recall of over 300,000 vehicles. Part was replaced- will need to check if available.

Car was running fine and suddenly would not start. Towed to dealer, diagnosed as direct ignition cassette failure. Dealer replaced part.

Check engine light came on and indicated a misfire cyl. One. The problem continued until total failure of the engine 12 miles later. The direct ignition cassette was replaced and the problem was solved. I have read numerous complaints about the same problem throughout the 1999-2003 model year range.

Drove car (cold) from home to next town - maybe 10miles apart. Let the car sit for @45 mins. Drove back in the direction of home - about 8 miles into drive home, car started to chug with no warning, was not speeding, local road with traffic, "check engine"light came on - pulled off to nearest gas station - about mile down the road. Checked oil - car did not need oil. Drove car to mechanic - another mile from gas station - car continuing to chug. Technician tested car with computer and said the #2 cylinder in the direct ignition, was not firing properly and that was the problem with the car. There was no warning lights, all the gauges read "normal" car is serviced properly. Why should this have happened? the care is rarely driven throughout the week - I commute via ferry so the car is generally cold or driven 10-15 miles regularly. Occasional long trips @90miles at max. Please investigate - I do not think I shoudl have to pay for "new ignition" especially when there was no warning from the car's system and the car is service reguarly. The car is 1999 SAAB 9. 5se 4 cylinder with @90k miles. I do not expect this from SAAB - my family has always had Saabs and expect better performance. Please contact me ASAP. Thank you. Maria rose.

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.

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.

Ignition casette failure--second replacement in 12 months!!!! even though the defect was found (and documented!) in January 2005 (less than 12 months after the initial replacement in February of 2004), SAAB will not pay for replacement and repairs as it is claiming that it was not repaired until April.

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.

Failure of the direct ignition casette. The vehicle left me stranded at the gas station and later that night on the side of the road. Please institute a recall. This is ridiculous!!!!!.

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 Saabs. 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.

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.

While entering I-80 from a rest stop and accelerating to highway speeds engine just quit. I was able to pull to the side of the road, and it re-started immediately. I continued with no further problem. On reaching colorado springs, I took the car to the local SAAB dealer, explained the problem, and they could find no problem. They suggested that perhaps my wife had accidentally hit the key when adjusting herself in the car, causing the engine to quit, and suggested if it happened again to jiggle the key in the ignition. The dates given for the incident below are a slide fiction - it happened in 2004, and I think in may, but do not recall for sure, nor do I recall the exact date.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The consumer owns a 1999 SAAB model 95 that experienced an ignition problem. The vehicle would start but would not run properly. The car would lurch or convulse while driving. The engine would stall and then die completely. The vehicle would restart but continue to have those same problems. The vehicle has a manual transmission. The consumer took the car to the dealer. The dealer said it was an issue with direct ignition cassette and the dic would need to be replaced. Since the replacement there have been no further problems.

The car developed an odd burning smell while I was driving it and the engine quit. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and required the replacement of the direct ignition cassettes.