NHTSA Complaint #10095839 — 2001 SAAB 9-5

THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 2001 SAAB 9-5 STATION WAGON WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND SHE LOST ALL POWER. THANKFULLY SHE WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD AND MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE PERSON WHO TOWED SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A "CRANK SENSOR" THAT FAILED AND WHEN IT FAILS IT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN THE GAS TO THE ENGINE. I HAD IT REPAIRED AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR THAT HE CALLED DIRECT IGNITION WHICH INCLUDES THE CAM SENSOR . MY CONCERN IS THAT IF IT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR CAN TOTALLY SHUT DOWN LIKE THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SAAB WOULD NOT TAKE MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE IT CHECKED AT THEIR GARAGE. I THINK THAT POLICY, WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, IS LUDICROUS! *AK