GM's Saab recalls 400,000 cars over engine flaw AFX News Limited - January 28, 2005
General Motor Corp's Swedish subsidiary Saab Automobile AB said it is recalling up to 400,000 of its 9-5 and 9-3 cars worldwide due to an engine design flaw.
The company said the flaw could lead to a rapid deterioration of oil quality and damage turbo-charged engines.
"As many as 400,000 cars may be affected worldwide," Saab spokesman Oerjan Aaslund said, refusing to reveal how much money the company would be forced to spend on the repairs.
The company said it will issue an 8-year retroactive engine guarantee for its 1998 to 2000 9-5 models and its 2000 to 2003 9-3 models.
"The guarantee means that customers who have been affected by motor problems due to oil sludge will receive full financial compensation," Saab said in a statement, pointing out that the purchaser of a vehicle in 1998 would still have a valid guarantee through 2006.
The car manufacturer said that about 4 pct of the 95,000 cars equipped with the engines in question circulating in Sweden appeared to have experienced problems.
"Sweden has been more affected than many other markets... mainly due to the fact that it is colder here and it takes longer for the engines to warm up," Aaslund said.
quote: Originally posted by: thewizard16 " Considering they sell more Camrys, Accords, Silverados, and F150s than that a year, no, it really isn't. Still, unfortunate for Saab."
quote: Originally posted by: ifcar "GM can afford it."
Perhaps, but their financial situation is not great for as large of a company as they are. And the Saab division isn't one of the most well-off divisions to begin with.
quote: Originally posted by: thewizard16 " Perhaps, but their financial situation is not great for as large of a company as they are. And the Saab division isn't one of the most well-off divisions to begin with."
But the Saab division isn't paying for the recall, GM is. And GM has had many recalls in the past year far worse than this.
quote: Originally posted by: ifcar "But the Saab division isn't paying for the recall, GM is. And GM has had many recalls in the past year far worse than this."
True, but it won't help Saab's reliability image...
quote: Originally posted by: ifcar "I'd guess that the Saab loyalists are concerned with more about Saab's current state than its reliability. "
Probably.. but with the division in poor enough shape they're considering axing it, it's not going to be a big help in boosting sales when you've got publicity like that.
quote: Originally posted by: thewizard16 "Probably.. but with the division in poor enough shape they're considering axing it, it's not going to be a big help in boosting sales when you've got publicity like that."
The 9-3 has been completely redesigned and the 9-5 updated since then though. That has to soften the blow. It's not like they're recalling the current cars.
quote: Originally posted by: ifcar "The 9-3 has been completely redesigned and the 9-5 updated since then though. That has to soften the blow. It's not like they're recalling the current cars."
I hope so, for their sake. All I know is that if I were buying (and I rather like the 9-3) I wouldn't buy a new 9-3 when the 03s are getting recalled for engine flaws.
quote: Originally posted by: thewizard16 " I hope so, for their sake. All I know is that if I were buying (and I rather like the 9-3) I wouldn't buy a new 9-3 when the 03s are getting recalled for engine flaws."
I'm not much of a 9-3 fan myself, but I really like the exterior styling, possibly best-in-class. But if I were buying one, I wouldn't dissuaded by news of a recall, it just means that they're fixing an old problem.
quote: Originally posted by: thewizard16 " I hope so, for their sake. All I know is that if I were buying (and I rather like the 9-3) I wouldn't buy a new 9-3 when the 03s are getting recalled for engine flaws."
That would really affect your choice that much? After all this isn't really a life threatening recall, and it's fixed for free.
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DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND MY CONTROL, MY BRAIN IS CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONAL. MY EMPLOYER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE NO WAY OF PREDICTING HOW LONG THIS ISSUE WILL TAKE TO CORRECT.
quote: Originally posted by: Kevin "That would really affect your choice that much? After all this isn't really a life threatening recall, and it's fixed for free."
True, but I drive Camrys Kevin. Anything requiring dealer service is a big deal to me, because I've been spoiled by not having any inconveniences.
quote: Originally posted by: thewizard16 " True, but I drive Camrys Kevin. Anything requiring dealer service is a big deal to me, because I've been spoiled by not having any inconveniences."
Oh, lol, I was just wondering btw.
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DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND MY CONTROL, MY BRAIN IS CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONAL. MY EMPLOYER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE NO WAY OF PREDICTING HOW LONG THIS ISSUE WILL TAKE TO CORRECT.
quote: Originally posted by: thewizard16 " True, but I drive Camrys Kevin. Anything requiring dealer service is a big deal to me, because I've been spoiled by not having any inconveniences."
But probably the ones on the lot for sale would be the first to be fixed. But if you're concerned about reliability in general, you would do research and determine that a Saab isn't for you BEFORE news of this recall came out.