NHTSA Complaint #10166180 — 2002 SAAB 9-5

AUGUST 12, 2006 OUR 2002 SAAB 9-5 SPORTWAGON CAUGHT FIRE. RETURNING HOME FROM VACATION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED. INFORMATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND A PHONE CALL TO OUR SAAB DEALER LEAD US TO BELIEVE THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. AS WE APPROACHED THE TOLL PLAZA IN MAYS LANDING, NJ THE CAR STALLED AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. WE EVACUATED THE CAR. TOLL PERSONNEL EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND SUMMONED THE LAURELDALE FIRE COMPANY AND THE NJ STATE POLICE. THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE TOLL PERSONNEL PREVENTED A POTENTIAL DISASTER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT IN EGG HARBOR CTIY, NJ . AFTER A FEW HOURS WE WERE ABLE TO ARRANGE FORA RENTAL TO TRANSPORT US AND OUR VACATION BAGGAGE HOME. AT THIS TIME WE DID NOT KNOW THE EXTEND OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR OTHER THAN IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN TO OUR HOME AND IT WAS A SATURDAY. THE CLOSEST SAAB DEALER IN CHERRY HILL, NJ WAS NOT OPEN FOR SERVICE CALLS. WE ARRIVED HOME 5 HOURS LATER THAN EXPECTED WITH A RENTAL CAR THAT COST $125/DAY AND $0.20 A MILE + GAS. WE DROVEBACK TO NJ IN THE MORNING TO RETURN THE RENTAL BECAUSE WE DID NOT WANT TO INCUR ANY UNNECESSARY EXPENSES. SUNDAY AUGUST 13 WE TRAVELED BACK TO GALLOWAY, NJ TO RETURN THE RENTAL VEHICLE. THIS FIRE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AND SAAB SHOULD PICK UP ANY EXPENSES RELATING TO A CAR FIRE OF A 2002 VEHICLE WITH 59,518 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED, WE PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER IN CHERRY HILL, NJ AUGUST 19, 2006. REPAIRSR WERE COVERED BY SAAB ALONG WITH THE TOWING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE OF TWO IGNITION CASSETTES CAUSED A FIRE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, DAMAGING THE CONVERTER, EXHAUST PIPE, AND MOUNTS. SAAB HAS NOT EXPLAINED WHY THE MECHANICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE FIRE AND HAS GIVEN US NO ASSURANCE THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. SAAB HAS DECLINED TO PAY THE ADDITIONAL COST WE INCURRED WHICH TOTAL LESS THAN $500.00 WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH SAAB CUSTOMER SERVICE AND A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE CARRIER.