NHTSA Complaint #10152150 — 2001 SAAB 9-3

WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START ONCE TURNED OFF AND THE KEY TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO RE-START THE VEHICLE AND ALSO HEARD A "THUNK" SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE WHICH ORIGINATED DIRECTLY BELOW THE INSERTED KEY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM UNDER CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION MOUNTING SCREW/BOLTS HAD "WORKED THEMSELVES LOOSE" AND CAUSE THE HOUSING TO UNSEAT. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY RE-INSTALLING THE BOLTS. THE PROBLEM IS NOTICEABLE IF YOU HAVE A STANDARD-SHIFT VEHICLE (NOT AN AUTOMATIC) AND ARE ABLE TO SHIFT DIRECTLY FROM NEUTRAL TO REVERSE WITHOUT NEEDING TO LIFT UP ON THE SAFETY MECHANISM NEAR THE SHIFTER KNOB. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON HOWEVER THE GREATEST CONCERN WAS THAT WHEN I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I WAS UNABLE TO EASILY SHIFT INTO GEAR AND HAD NOTICEABLE DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF REVERSE. *JB