2001 Saab 9-3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

“The contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 05V399000 (Electrical System) and 06V126000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”

“NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 04V557000 AND 06V126000 ARE RECALLS WHICH NECESSITATED SAAB TO INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP BRACKETS. THE 2001 SAAB 9-3, WHICH I OWN, WAS FIRST REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FUEL LINES WERE CORRUPTED AND CAUSED FUEL TO PUMP OUT INTO THE OPEN ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. THIS WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AT THAT TIME. MUCH LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE FUEL PUMP BRACKET TO MAKE SURE THE A "NEW" BRACKET HAD BEEN INSTALLED. THESE TWO INSPECTIONS REQUIRED THE LOWERING OF THE FUEL TANK. I RECEIVED A CODE 0442 A FEW MONTHS LATER AND HAD THE SAAB DEALER INSPECT POSSIBLE CAUSE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VENT HOSE FILLER PIPE HAS A LEAK AS DETERMINED BY A "SMOKE" CHECK. LATER, AT A DIFFERENT SHOP, WHILE HAVING A TIRE ROTATION, THE TECHNICIAN HAD ME COME OUT AND CHECK THE RIGHT WHEEL AREA WITH THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY REMOVED. WHAT WAS REVEALED WAS A "RUB" HOLE IN THE VENT HOSE CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH THE SHOCK ABSORBER. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE. THE DAMAGED VENT LINE IS EITHER 1) POOR ENGINEERING OF THE VENT LINE IN RELATION TO THE SHOCK ABSORBER, OR 2) THE DAMAGE WAS THE ACT OF POOR RE-INSTALLMENT OF THE FUEL…”

“AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES, DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AROUND 70MPH, OIL LIGHT BEGINS FLICKERING. AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO 60 THE LIGHT STOPPED FLICKERING AND INSTEAD STAYED ON. FROM THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL OFF THE ROAD A KNOCKING SOUND COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE PROGRESSIVELY GETTING LOUDER. THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN HOME AND INSPECTED. REMOVING THE OIL PAN REVEALED THAT THE OIL PICK-UP TUBE WAS CLOGGED AND THE PAN WAS CAKED WITH BURNT OIL. A LOCAL MECHANIC ESTIMATED $3,000 TO REPAIR THE INTERNAL DAMAGE. CALLED SAAB, THEY SAID THE CAR WAS BEYOND ANY WARRANTY AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT TURNING THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER SEEING THE LIGHT. FURTHERMORE AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I SPOKE WITH 3 SAAB REPRESENTATIVES WHO CLAIMED TO KNOW NOTHING OF THIS OIL SLUDGE ISSUE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BRING IT UP AS IT DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL NUMBER, A FOURTH ONE WAS ABLE TO PULL UP A RECORD BASED ON MY V.I.N. SHOWING THAT THIS KNOWN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WAS "REPAIRED" BACK IN 2006 UNDER THE NAME "SPECIAL POLICY" WHICH WAS GOOD FOR 8 YEARS AFTER THE IN SERVICE DATE SO LONG AS ALL RECORDS OF THE CAR WERE KEPT. ACCORDING TO THIS REPORT MY ARGUMENT WAS…”