NHTSA Complaint #10168364 — 1999 SAAB 9-3

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH ON A SNOW COVERED HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE RECOGNITION CASSETTE MODULE FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 11/3/2006 - ON 11/24/05 THE VEHICLE'S DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN THE SNOW. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE THE REPAIR FACILITY ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TWO OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT RAW FUEL DAMAGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DURING THE INITIAL FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. *NM