1999 SAAB 9-3 Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

PREMATURE DIC FAILURE. CONSISTANTLY BURNS OUT SPARK PLUGS. *TR

HEATER BOX FROZE UP UPONE TURNING THE CONTROL DIAL TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD...INTERNET DISCUSSION BOARDS SAY SAAB KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO FIX PROPERLY AND PERMANENTLY...PROBABLY TAKING THIS TO SMALL CLAIMS BASED UPON WHAT I'VE READ...

I WANTED TO ALERT YOU TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE '99 SAAB 9-3. THEY HAVE A CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM CONTROLS TO BECOME SO STIFF THAT IT CAUSES THE KNOB TO SNAP OFF RENDERING THE SYSTEM USELESS. SAAB IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRES THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS THAT IN THEIR TERMS "MAY" SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. THESE INCLUDE REPLACING THE KNOB ($10.00), THE SHAFT ($200.00), AND THE VENTILATION CONTROL BOX ($600.00). IT APPEARS THAT SAAB CONSIDERS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS TO BE A LUXURY NOT A NECESSARY SAFETY SYSTEM. I THINK THAT YOUR AGENCY WOULD DISAGREE WITH SAAB ASSESSMENT AND SHOULD REQUIRE A MORE PROACTIVE CORRECTIVE PLAN FROM THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. *LA

THE CONSUMER HAD JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK WITH FUEL AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING PROBLEM. *NLM