Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Saab 9-3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at freeway speeds for about 20 minutes, my 1999 Saab 9-3 experienced a loss of power and the engine stopped running. There was no warning of a probem until a single "clunking noise" was detected and then there was no power in 5th or 4th gear. By the time I downshifted to 3rd gear, the engine had stalled and the check engine, battery/alternator, and oil pressure warning lights lit. The car was not able to be resarted. I was able to bring the car to the distress lane and summon help (911). The car needed to be towed for repairs. The local Saab dealer determined the ignition discharge module (idm) had failed (burned up). The dealer also informed me of a recent recall (I believe it's 05v-399) for the 2000 - 2002 model years and that perhaps the idm on my car had a similar defect. …
In the couple of months previous to this incident, my vehicle's check engine light has come on three times, stayed on for a day or two, and then shut off. Each time the light came on (first it blinks, then remains steady until turning itself off) I experienced what I thought was some kind of ignition failure. On the morning of the incident, I was traveling in the passing lane heading north/east on route 365 from verona to rome, ny when I experienced a complete ignition failure. The check engine light came on (first blinking, then steady) and I had complete loss of power. I moved the vehicle to the right lane preparing to coast to a stop on the shoulder, but the vehicle regained power after about 15 seconds and I continued on. The check engine light remained illuminated until it shut itself off later in the day as I was returning home (a two and one half hour trip). …
Direct ignition cassette (aka direct ignition module, idm, di, dic) has died on my 1999 9-3 2 times. I have owned the car since new, it now has 66,000 miles. When the di cassette dies the engine immediately shuts down which can result in a dangerous situation if one is driving in traffic. My di cassette first died at 50,000 miles. The car simply would not start, no prior warnings. A brand new di cassette from Saab was put in. The 2nd di cassette died at 63,000 miles, while I was driving. There was no prior warning again. The car shut down as I was driving, and I lost power steering. I was able to pull off to the side of the road since I was going slow. Di cassette was replaced again, so I am currently on di cassette #3. The part is unchanged, so I fear it could die again at any moment. I've had to pay out of pocket for all of the di cassettes.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving 45-50 MPH on a snow covered highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the recognition cassette module failed. The dealership was not notified. There were no prior problems with the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated at the time of the incident. Updated 11/3/2006 - on 11/24/05 the vehicle's direct ignition cassette failed without warning which caused the vehicle to stall while being driven in the snow. After replacement of the direct ignition cassette the repair facility also had to replace two oxygen sensors and the catalytic converter. The technician said it was possible that raw fuel damaged the catalytic converter during the initial failure of the direct ignition cassette.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Saab 9-3. While driving approximately 55 MPH in the snow, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed without an impact or crash occurring. There were no injuries. Later that day, the air bag indicator illuminated. Her mechanic stated that the air bags would not function properly and ensure maximum protection in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic for diagnostic testing and the wiring was determined to be the cause of the failure. The manufacturer would not assist because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The current mileage was approximately 141,000 and failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Saab 9-3. The contact attempted to start his vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle cranked, but he received no spark. He attempted to change the fuel pump, which did not repair the failure. He also removed the spark plug wires and noticed that various parts were cracked underneath the ignition. A junkyard mechanic stated that the ignition was the cause of the malfunction. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign id number 05V399000 (electrical system:ignition:module), which pertained to the 2000-2002 Saab 9-3's. The dealer stated that the repair would cost $464. The failure mileage was 118,356.
I have a 1999 Saab 9-3 with manual climate control. The blower switch was erratic for a few weeks (on/off position shifted) but last night during a short journey the blower would not turn off and a bad odor became present in the cabin. This morning I investigated and found that the blower switch and wiring connector and wires have melted. It is likely that if the journey had been longer a fire would have resulted. The switch and connector and wires need to be replaced, and the reason for the blower switch erratic behavior needs to be investigated.
While traveling down I-70, the direct ignition cassette failed on my 1999 Saab 9-3. The engine stopped immediately which affected the power steering and brakes. Fortunately I was able to coast off the highway and onto a side street. The next day I went to the Saab parts dealer, bought another for around $375, and was told this is a common problem. My car only had 60,000 miles on it at the time. Once the direct ignition cassette was replaced, the problem was solved.
Dt*: the contact stated that two vehicles were taken to an independent mechanic for repairs on the di cassette or the id module. The mechanic determined that the two vehicles May be under recall for the parts affected. However after an investigation it was confirmed that there was no recall on these vehicles. The vehicles was repaired three times prior with the same part. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 7/19/2006 -
Direct ignition cassette (ignition discharge module) failed. Engine would not start after being turned off. Car was towed, evaluated, and the ignition discharge module was replaced. The ignition discharge module that failed was identical to the idm that is currently under recall for 2000-2002 model years. I am requesting that the recall be extended to include the 1999 model year. I have retained the failed part.
NHTSA investigations
Engine stall/ engine compartment fires
Odi opened pe05-017 based on 35 reports of alleged engine stalling due to the failure of the idm cassette on the subject vehicles.all complainants reported that the engine shut down suddenly without warning and most reported that the vehicle would not restart.in 3 incidents, the complainants reported smoke and/or fire resulted from the idm failure.during pe05-017, additional failure data was identified as noted in…
Electrical complaints in other 9-3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Saab 9-3, 33% of the model year's 80 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › module (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Saab 9-3 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Saab 9-3, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Saab 9-3 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.