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 2001 Saab 9-3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start while the battery warning indicator was illuminated. In addition, the vehicle would stall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition discharge module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V399000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.
1) I stopped at home on the way to another appointment. There were no indicators that anything was wrong with the car. When I returned to the garage about 30 minutes later, the car would not start. It made no noise and gave no indication except it was mysteriously completely unable to start. The lights would still turn on, so it was not a battery. I paid to have the car towed to a Saab independent repair shop. Luckily I was not driving the car when it stopped working; it was a complete fluke I had stopped the car for a few minutes. It had started fine the other 3 times that day. 2) the car would not start. It was 2 months out of the 4-year warranty. Luckily, I was at home and was not injured. 3) when the repair shop checked the car, they said the ignition cassette failed and had to be replaced. They replaced it. The car now starts. …
Without warning, the vehicle would not re-start once turned off and the key taken out of the ignition. I was unable to turn the key to re-start the vehicle and also heard a "thunk" sound when attempting to start the vehicle which originated directly below the inserted key. I was able to get the vehicle to the dealership where they diagnosed and corrected the problem under certified used vehicle warranty. The problem was diagnosed that the ignition mounting screw/bolts had "worked themselves loose" and cause the housing to unseat. The problem was corrected by re-installing the bolts. The problem is noticeable if you have a standard-shift vehicle (not an automatic) and are able to shift directly from neutral to reverse without needing to lift up on the safety mechanism near the shifter knob. …
I was driving to work on the highway from syracuse to cortland to new york when about quarter way their my car shut down right in the middle of the highway and I was almost involved in a traffic accident due to this failure. The failure was a bad direct ignition cassette which caused my car to shut down immediately. Apparently the same part has been used and failing for about 20 years to this date. When I brought the car in for the dic replacement it cost me $500.00 for 5 sec. Of time. When I told the mechanics about the problem they laughed and said they new what it was and that it had been failing for years and they make good money off of the part and this is the same thing I am hearing from other Saab 9-3 drivers. …
Car taken to dealer twice because "check engine light" on intermittently; told there were "no problems" and instructed on how to clear message. "check engine light" and "oil" light began to flicker intermittently; taken to 2 independent mechanics for check; both stated there was oil in the pan, oil in the engine, no obvious problem. "check engine" and "oil" lights came on and stayed on; car began making noise. Pulled over and had towed to independent mechanic who stated bearings were shot and new engine needed. Saab USA has persisted in denying culpability despite letter and mechanic's statement. Told me car was under warranty resulting in towing from independent shop to dealer; dealer then said car was not under warranty. …
Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 Saab 93. The contact stated that there was safety recall on the ignition discharge module. The first time he took the vehicle to the dealer to have the safety recall repair work done was 04/17/2006. The contact drove back home at 60 MPH for approximately 40 miles, and during that time and for the first time, the engine light turned on. The contact went back a second time on 05/11/2006 because the engine light stayed on and, there were gas fumes in the vehicle. The contact went back to the dealer on 06/08/2006 because there were overwhelming gas fumes in the vehicle. Currently the engine on light stayed on consistently. The contact was told that he would be charged for repairs. The failure mileage was 15,949 and the current mileage was 17,900. The consumer provided the invoices for repairs and documents for the Saab dealership. Update 4/25/07
I own a 2001 Saab 9-3 and wish to alert you to a problem with the Saab direct ignition cassette. A discussion on www.saabnet.com informed me that the failure rate of this part is apparently 100%. The di cassette can go at any time and cause the engine to suddenly stop in traffic. It happened to me on a rainy day as I was taking my elderly mother to her doctor. She had had hip replacement and spinal surgery, and had great difficulty getting into the tow truck cab. (she died two months later, not related to this incident- but she was frail). My car's warranty had expired and it cost $600 to have to di cassette replaced, not counting towing expenses and other hardship. Apparently Saab knows this is a defect, and it is potential safety risk waiting to happen.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3 convertible. The engine light has been illuminated for 3 weeks. A mechanic stated that there was a problem with the direct ignition cassette failure and needed to be replaced. The mechanic also confirmed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. NHTSA campaign id number: 05V399000 pe05017 NHTSA action number: pe05017 component: electrical system:ignition:module is related to the failure. The contact is concerned about the safety risk and the potential number of units affected per the recall. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN nor year, make and model of her vehicle was related to the recall. The current and failure mileage was 74,000.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. While driving 70 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The contact drove to the dealer and they stated that the ignition cassette failed. She then found a recall on her vehicle for the same failure her vehicle was experiencing; however, the dealer stated that her VIN was not included. The contact believes that her vehicle should be included in the recall because it is experiencing the same failure. The recall number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 82,347. Updated 05/20/08. The door handle was replaced. Updated 05/20/08
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with b205/b235 4-cylinder gasoline engines and b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines May experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to the introduction of qp3.
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 2001 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Saab 9-3, 37% of the model year's 83 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › module (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Saab 9-3 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-399 (module, Sep 14, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Saab 9-3 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 16% 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.