VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE AIR BAG INFLATABLE RESTRAINT ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND CAUSE CORROSION ON PORTIONS OF THE ECM PRINTER CIRCUIT BOARDS.
Safety risk
THIS CORROSION CAN POSSIBLY CREATE OPEN CONNECTIONS IN CIRCUITS WHICH CONTROL THE RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE EXTERIOR OF THE ECM. IF THERE IS NO INDICATION OF MOISTURE, A COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE ECM. IF THERE IS INDICATION OF MOISTURE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ECM AND INSTALL A COVER OVER THE NEW ECM.
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
12,091
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-29
Owners notified
1995-07-07
Defect description
MOISTURE CAN FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ENTER THE PRESSURE SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSING CORROSION AND MALFUNCTION OF THE SWITCH.
Safety risk
THE CORROSION CAUSES A DETERIORATION OF THE ELECTRICALSWITCH CONNECTION AND CAN RESULT IN FALSE ILLUMINATION OF ABS AND/OR THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR THE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF NO HYDRAULIC PUMPOPERATION. LOSS OF POWER ASSIST INCREASES THE DRIVER'S BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT REQUIRED FOR STOPPING WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ABS PRESSURE SWITCH TERMINALS FOR CORROSION AND INSTALL A SHRINK HOSE TO THE WIRING HARNESS TO AVOID MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONNECTION. PRESSURE SWITCHES WITH CORRODED CONNECTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
DURING LOW ENERGY FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISIONS, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CAN CONTACT THE METAL TUBING PORTION OF THE COOLER HOSE ASSEMBLY; AND/OR THE HOSE ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK AND LEAK OIL ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR THE TURBOCHARGER.
Safety risk
OIL LEAKING ON THESE HOT ENGINE SURFACES CAN IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICULAR FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH WILL PROTECT THE COOLER AND HOSES FROM OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN LOW ENERGY FRONT IMPACTS.
ONE OF THE BULBS IN EACH OF THE BRAKE LIGHT LOWER OUTBOARD LAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY WIRED, RESULTING IN IMPROPER TAIL LIGHT ILLUMINATION ON BRAKE APPLICATION. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Safety risk
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IMPROPER ILLUMINATION OF BRAKE LIGHTS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION MAY NOT SIGNAL FOLLOWING DRIVERS OF THE OPERATOR'S INTENT TO SLOW OR STOP AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE BRAKE LIGHT OUTBOARD LAMP ASSEMBLIES TO MEET FMVSS REQUIREMENTS.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Air bags: frontal
3
239,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
3
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
2
—
Air bags
1
173,899 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module
1
210,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
1
—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system
1
—
Power train: clutch assembly
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.