The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IS DESIGNED TO SENSE AND DISCRIMINATE FRONTAL IMPACT EVENTS, COMMAND AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND PERFORM CONTINUOUS DIAGNOSTICS OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE BOTTOM OF AN ELECTROLYTE CAPACITOR, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR IT TO LEAK ELECTROLYTE WITHIN THE AIR BAG ECU. ALSO, IN HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENTS, THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER CAN CAUSE RAPID COOLING OF THE ECU, WHICH IN TURN MAY CAUSE THE FORMATION OF CONDENSATION WITH THE UNIT.
The risk
IF THIS MOISTURE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE ELECTROLYTE FROM THE CAPACITOR, IT FORMS A HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL THAT COULD CREATE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD TRIGGER THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Saab 900 | 1995 |
Components: AIR BAGS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 900 | 1995 | 100 | 7 |
Other air bags recalls in 2002
20 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the air bags; SAAB CARS USA, INC. filed 88 campaigns in all.
| 02V323000 9 Dec 2002 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 02V329000 9 Dec 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V293000 7 Nov 2002 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 02V275000 9 Oct 2002 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 02V222000 9 Aug 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V213001 9 Aug 2002 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 02V213000 9 Aug 2002 | ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED |
| 02V223000 9 Aug 2002 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002