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GM900/9-3 Recall. Firewall crack.

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100K views 269 replies 68 participants last post by  ZAZ  
M
#1 ·
Saab admits that all RHD GM900/9-3's are prone to firewall or bulkhead cracks. This is an important saftey issue.

Saab Australia is repairing all vehicles at Saab's cost irrespective of where the vehicle has been serviced or the vehicle warranty.

Procedure

1. Determine if there is a crack. This will be located around the brake booster and where the rack attaches to the firewall. Check with a mechanic, you can see the crack without the need for hoisting the vehicle.

2. Contact your local Saab dealer for an inspection. My dealer couldnt even see the crack and gave me a hard time. If they do contact your Saab/GM consumer hotline.

3. They will put your vehicle into the system for repairs. There is a 3 month wait for Saab parts in Australia.

4. A panel shop will remove the brake booster, Steering box and steering rack. A Saab repair kit will be welded to the firewall. Repaint. Replace brake booster, steering rack and replace with fresh Saab oil.

I am getting further info from Saab HQ and will post info as it becomes available.

I hope this helps.

Regards Mark.
 
M
#3 ·
My vehicle has now been inspected and took all of 2 mins. The Dealer will also need License, Rego, & front page of the Service book if you have one. My car is No. 11 in line for repairs at my local Saab Dealer and they are all 9.3's & 900's.

Saab Australia is still quoting 3 months for a Saab repair kit, but possibly Saab Australia will source from local manufacturers.

What is Saab UK saying about this problem?
 
S
#15 ·
RRazor said:
Was hat Saab Heartland yesterday and gave them the paperwork. I spoke to Luke who wasn't too thrilled but at least he didn't cause any problems. Maybe he's given up on it. They don't even want to check the car... still 5 months wait is damn long!
Click to expand...
Yes it is - in the UK we have an annual MOT safety inspection on our cars, mine was found to be cracked by the dealers at this inspection and failed the test as a result. The result of failing this test is your car is unroadworthy and cannot be driven anywhere apart from to get the repair done or to get it retested. 5 months would be a long time to wait with no car.
 
8
#16 ·
There has been no mention of this in New Zealand, so I've e-mailed Saab to ask what will happen here - my concern is that the 9-3 is a Jap import, whilst the 900NG is NZ new - will they say they'll fix the one originally supplied here, but not the Jappie one.
 
8
#17 ·
Here's what I sent

Hi, please can you advise me re. two vehicles we own, an 1999 Saab 9-3S and an 1993 900NG. I have been told that there is a fault on the front firewall where cracks appear; this is only a RHD issue and in Australia there has been a recall, with Saab Australia undertaking all the repairs on the vehicles. I have not heard of the same recall being offered in New Zealand.

Please can you advise if we are to be contacted to have the vehicles
inspected and/or repaired if needed?
Click to expand...
and here is the informative reply!
Dear Ian,

Thank you for your email.

We advise that the concern you mentioned in your email has not been
initiated as a recall, and as such, we have not been in contact with you.

However, should you experience such a concern with your vehicle, please
contact your nearest Saab Dealer so that they may address this for you.

Kind regards,

Jackie Nagy
Saab Customer Assistance
Click to expand...
So 2000 miles away there is a recall, but not in NZ! And if I have a concern take it to the dealer - but no mention of who pays!
 
R
#18 ·
No! You didn't read it properly.... there is NO recall in Australia but if cars here have a cracked firewall then Saab repairs it at their expense on request. This is the important bit!

It sounds like initially they didn't even like this much and looked for excuses to get out of this (at least some dealers in Sydney) and conducted a preliminary check on all 900's (9-3 wasn't mentioned) though they seemed to have come to the conclusion that all cars are affected to some degree and hence do not bother with preliminary checks anymore (at least Saab Heartland).

There is also a 3+ months waiting list due to short supply of parts and the sheer number of cars that are coming in for this fix.
 
C
#20 ·
This is alarming. I have a 2000 93 2.2 tid. 135,000 mile. I get a judder under acceleration, most pronounced between 30 and 50MPH in 2nd and 3rd. I do not think it is drive shafts or CV's / UJ's because it is not constant or associated with steering lock. It is more pronounced after hard cornering and general hooning about. I have had a Dealer and two mechanics look at it and it is not wheel bearings either (though the dealer did try to sell me a clutch?). Someone has suggested it may be related to bush wear or steering rack.


Could it be this?
 
C
#22 ·
I have just looked at it. With my son depressing the brake pedal the Servo moves. Trouble is I am not sure if it should move, or if it moves too much? Any body got any clues.

When my son turns the steering wheel on the drive way (without the engine on). The steering rack (at the pinion?) and the bulkhead seem to move. Doesn't look right but I don't know.

Andy body got any guidance
 
D
#23 ·
does this apply to saab uk have convert 98 900 model:)
musky said:
Saab admits that all RHD GM900/9-3's are prone to firewall or bulkhead cracks. This is an important saftey issue.

Saab Australia is repairing all vehicles at Saab's cost irrespective of where the vehicle has been serviced or the vehicle warranty.

Procedure

1. Determine if there is a crack. This will be located around the brake booster and where the rack attaches to the firewall. Check with a mechanic, you can see the crack without the need for hoisting the vehicle.

2. Contact your local Saab dealer for an inspection. My dealer couldnt even see the crack and gave me a hard time. If they do contact your Saab/GM consumer hotline.

3. They will put your vehicle into the system for repairs. There is a 3 month wait for Saab parts in Australia.

4. A panel shop will remove the brake booster, Steering box and steering rack. A Saab repair kit will be welded to the firewall. Repaint. Replace brake booster, steering rack and replace with fresh Saab oil.

I am getting further info from Saab HQ and will post info as it becomes available.

I hope this helps.

Regards Mark.
Click to expand...
 
M
#26 ·
Fixing this week.

Had my bumper scratched :evil: so into the SAAB authorized body repairers and guess what! They have the only firewall kit in Oz (they say) So I fixed it that I'm first in the queue. 80 cars pending.

I'm told its can take between 5 and 14 days, this is there first repair :roll: and they have to manufacture some parts.

I will report my findings as I know more...Cheers M.
 
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