Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 09:46:24 +0000 From: Johannes H Andersen <johsnopsamfitter.com> Subject: Re: Complaint filed with NHTSA: 2003 9-3 stalls during cruising
Hale wrote: > > The following was filed at NHTSA. > As I am thinking of buying a 2004 9-3, I was interested to know if anyone > else know anything about this. > > http://www-odi.nospam/cars/problems/defect/defectsearch.cfm > > Action Number: PE03059 > > ODI HAS RECEIVED 16 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING ENGINE STALL WITHOUT WARNING IN 2003 > SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0-LITER > TURBOCHARGED AND INTERCOOLED DOHC 16-VALVE ENGINE, WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE > NEW TO THE 2003 SAAB 9-3. SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT DEALERS > REPAIRED THE CONDITION BY REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE > STALLING INCIDENTS HAVE ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED DURING CRUISING, ACCELERATION, > AND DECELERATION AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 8 TO 40 MPH. ONE COMPLAINT ALLEGED > THAT THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN A CRASH WHEN THE SAAB IMPACTED THE VEHICLE IN > FRONT BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER BRAKING ASSIST THAT RESULTED FROM THE > STALLED ENGINE. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE > CAUSE, SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND SAFETY RISK OF STALLING INCIDENTS IN THE > SUBJECT VEHICLES. Loss of power assist does not mean loss of braking or steering. Any (competent) driver should be prepared to handle his car (of any make) without power assist.