The vehicle will become almost immobile in first and second gear (manual transmission). Once in third gear, performance is back to normal. If driver is not aware of situation (cruise light off is only indication if cruise control system is turned on), driver can easily get into bad situation as car will not perform as usual (very significant degradation of performance). All that is needed to reset problem is to turn the key off and restart the engine and the condition will go away for as little as 10 minutes or up to as much as 2 hours of driving. It is suspected that this problem could be associated with the air mass sensor as replacing air mass sensor with used part, problem disappeared for several months. This condition could cause a serious safety issue if driver is not aware and tries to make a quick maneuver involving tight traffic (left turn when performance is paramount). Whatever this condition is that the electronics/engine controls is/are entering is unacceptable and this problem needs to be corrected by the manufacturer in a recall.

- Nevada City, CA, USA

Vehicle was stalling during acceleration, then fuel pump had complete malfunction.... after replacement, engine has always run poorly and almost always stalls during acceleration. Replaced ignition coil, and it didn't fix problem. I have talked to 4 other Saab 9-3 owners for this model year and 2004 and every one has the same problem.

- Greenbay , VA, USA

2003 Saab 9-3 SE conv (73K mikes at time of incident while driving 65 mph on highway car suddeenly quit running direct ignition cassette failed and ruined catalytic converter and O2 sensors Saab forced to recall this part up to year 2002. My 2003 is old Saab body style with defective di cassette. Part number on cassete is from the 2002 and earlier model years.

- Webster, NY, USA

No warning or signs of anything wrong... one day I am driving down the highway and taking an exit, when my car stalls out on me at 90km and hour, I almost hit the guard rail. This has happened 7 times in the last month where my car has stalled out on me. This happens when I am in neutral and depressing the brake. I took the car to Saab for service, and they said nothing is wrong with the car and let me drive it home. Tonight I almost killed a child on a bike as I slid to a stop after my car stalled on me again. I do not understand how Saab can let someone drive their car home when reporting such a serious problem. Please contact me as soon as possible!

- Hamilton, 00, USA

The consumer was able to remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle was still running. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer replaced the ignition module. The repairs worked fine for two weeks, then the problem recurred. The fuel pump was replaced, the fog and head lights would go out once a month, the traction control was not working properly, the seat belts did not recoil to provide security for the passengers, the clutch pedal did not have the proper pressure when applied, the engine would not "spin over, " there was a blown fuel pump fuse, the driver window was inoperative, the sunroof deflector did not collapse when closing the glass causing the glass to re-open on it's own, the driver door panel did not fit the flush to the door panel, the radio and the onstar feature did not work.

- Columbus, GA, USA