: the contact stated while traveling 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. There was an odor of smoke and the vehicle was pulled over. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to the dealership who determined the ignition discharge module failed and was replaced. There was an NHTSA recall, #05V399000, regarding the ignition module. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 09/20/06.

- Underwood, WA, USA

Car acceleration hesitant and non responsive putting vehicle in precarious situations at freeway on ramps. Ignition cassette diagnosed as failed and needing to be replaced. 4 cylinder models have been recalled but my 6 cylinder model has not. Service manager indicates replacing 50 - 60 of such cassettes between both 4 and 6 cylinders and can't explain why my vehicle isn't covered by recall.

- Duluth, MN, USA

: the contact stated while driving 50 mph the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered off the road and towed to an independent mechanic. The ignition module was replaced. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V399000, regarding the electrical system; ignition module. The VIN was not included in the recall.

- West Halifax, VT, USA

: the contact stated while driving 50 mph the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle coasted off the road without incident. It was restarted and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle would not exceed 35mph and was driven to an independent repair shop. The mechanic determined the ignition module had failed and was replaced. The vehicle was driven only 30 miles more when the check engine light re illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined the catalytic converter had failed. There is a NHTSA recall, 05V399000, regarding the electrical system: Ignition module. The VIN was not included in the recall.

- Prospect, KY, USA

: the contact stated while driving 30 mph the engine stalled. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V399000, regarding the electrical system: Ignition: Module. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Novi, MI, USA

: the contact stated one year ago the check engine light illuminated. The dealership determined the ignition discharge module needed to be replaced. The part was replaced and later the contact discovered there was a NHTSA recall, # 05V399000, regarding the electrical system: Ignition: Module. The vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall; however was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Direct ignition cassettes failed on my Saab, year 2000 95 wagon while driving in sarasota. Fortunately, I was able to coast onto a side road to park the car and then (unfortunately) walk 3 miles home. I had a $50 tow charge along with the bill to replace the dic, plus I lost the use of my car from Monday until Friday.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

My car engine stopped, twice in the middle of a busy road almost causing an accident once, and a third time coming down the side of a mountain leaving me with no ability to steer. The third time I had it towed to a repair place other than the Saab dealer. The repair shop diagnosed it as a faulty ignition cassette. I had it repaired by the shop at a considerable expense I was told by the dealer that there would be a Saab recall for my year car. I called Saab customer service and was told that the recall would be in March 2006, but that I should submit my expenses for reimbursement review which I did in January 2006. Today I was advised that my car was not part of the recall and I was denied reimbursement. See NHTSA campaign #05V399000 for summary.

- Avon, CT, USA

On 2/21/06 my Saab 9-5 SE V6 was started, was running rough as cylinders were obviously misfiring. Brought in to dealer immediately. Told ignition cassette needed to be replaced. Told to call Saab for reimbursement as many of these cassettes were failing and should not be.

- Madison, CT, USA

When exiting the interstate, the car suddenly lost power and the check engine light came on. There was then a smell like an overloaded or burning electrical or electronic part. We drove to the first safe place to stop the car, checked under the hood and found no fire but the smell was very strong. We called the nearest Saab dealer and had them make arrangements to tow the car in. After checking the car, they found that the ignition module had burned-out which in turn allowed raw gas in the exhaust to damage the catalytic converter. There is an existing recall (NHTSA campaign id number: 05V399000) which seems to describe the exact problem that I have experienced, but I have been told by Saab that my VIN number is not covered by this recall. I feel that this incident and failure should be covered under this recall.

- Snyder, NY, USA

: the contact stated the engine light illuminated and remained on. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V399000, regarding the ignition module. The contact spoke to the manufacturer and received pre-approval to have the recall remedy performed at an authorized dealership. Upon taking the vehicle to the local dealership for repair, the service manager contacted the manufacturer for approval. The manufacturer told the dealership service manager they reconsidered and would not be including the vehicle in the recall remedy. The vehicle has the same problem as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Springfield, MO, USA

Idm cassette failure on a 2000 Saab 9-5 SE (6-cylinder). The car had reduced power and rough operation, lurching with acceleration, and nearly stalling. I was afraid this pregnant woman was going to be left stranded on the side of a dark, country highway on a cold winter night! the next day, power was reduced even further and eventually, the car stalled and will not start up. It was towed to a mechanic who thought the recall on the part (recall 05V-399) would replace the defective idm cassette. The car was then towed to an authorized dealer for replacement. This part is not covered in a 2000 9-5 SE. The recall only applies to 2000-2002 Saab 9-5's which are 4-cylinder and 2001 9-5's with the 6 cylinder. This is the same part as in those recalled vehicles and should be replaced and included in the recall as well.

- Boulder, CO, USA

Failure of distributor ignition cassette (ignition coils).

- St. Louis, MO, USA

Check engine light came on as I was leaving the maintenance shop. Personnel diagnosed it (using tech 2) as a bad direct ignition cassette. Loss of engine performance.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

Di cassette failure on my 2000 Saab 9-5 aero. This part has been replaced at least twice previously, and the Saab dealership is recommending a third replacement now at 84K miles. Additionally, they state that the catalytic converter has been damaged because of the di cassette failure. Total cost for these repairs nears $2000, which is egregious for the type of failure and the apparent frequency of replacement.

- Winchester, VA, USA

I used the car only for week end ski trips twice a month or less through the winter. This occasionally required jump starts. The week of the failure the car started okay to move it to the garage so I could take the snow tires off, I then moved it back to its spot. That Friday, I drove over 100 miles from ct to brattleboro, vt, where I went to a supermarket, then a restaurant. It ran perfectly, until I finished dinner, and it would not start. It would crank, but there was no combustion. After a few long walks and many phone calls, no one could help with it and there was no place to stay for the night or cars to rent. I took a taxi 20-30 miles to my family ski house in newfane. The next morning, I called several shops and found one that could look at it. (no dealers in the area) the car was towed to them, and I got a ride from my neighbor down the mountain and back into town. The shop determined it was not a simple fix, and could not give it any more time until later in the week. I called some dealers back in ct, and had it towed there. I got my uncle to come bring me and my dog home. Tuesday, I called the dealer it was at, and they told me the direct ignition cassette failed, and would need to be replaced along with the spark plugs. The repair cost $619.01, and fixed the problem.

- Higganum, CT, USA

While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. No restart. Internal failure of cat. Converter, replaced cat. Converter. The problem was the R & R ignition module. After the ignition repair, the consumer felt a loss of power. The consumer was informed that the catalytic converter was clogged.

- Essex Junction, VT, USA

On 8/11/03 I was driving on us route 9 in hudson New York when my engine stopped running. Pulled to side of road. Had to be towed to Saab dealer 40 miles away. Replace ignition cassette. Was advised due to my attempt to re-start the car, raw gas got into catalytic converter. Tyhat had to be replaced several weeks later. I am writing this so late as I was unaware this may not be an isolated instance.

- Hudson, NY, USA

Direct ignition cassette (dic) failure 2000 Saab 9-5 aero the dic on my 2000 Saab 9-5 aero failed at 65mph causing engine failure and subsequent loss of vehicle control. No restart. Viewed owner feedback at www.saabnet.com and realised dic failure rate on 9-5 model (all years) seems extremely high. Owners have commented that Saab recognizes the defect and in some cases provides spare dic's but has declined to recall. Saab refused to comment, to me, on the failure rate or defect trend for this dic. The dic fails without warning causing engine to stall. Failure at highway speed could be catostrophic. I have seen other owners comment that dic failure can be accompanied by a great deal of smoke and possibly fire. GM recalled Saturn ignition modules as did VW. Wondering why Saab has not. (1) irratic engine speed with intermittent hesitation during acceleration. (2) loss of engine power and vehicle control (3) replaced digital ignition cassette, defective part is available.

- Reston, VA, USA

While traveling on the highway at a constant 50 mph, the engine stopped running. There was no indication on an impending failure. One moment the engine was running normally and then suddenly it stopped completely. Fortunately, I managed to get the car safely to the side of the road. The engine would not restart. The car was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failed direct ignition cassette. Consider myself very lucky that I was able to get to the side of the road in spite of the heavy traffic.

- Gambrills, MD, USA