Almost new car problems
Discussion
Mrsthe wife bought a new Saab 9-5 TiD4 back in March, it's been fine for general use until we went over to France on holiday in August, then as this was the first chance I'd got to drive it for any length of time, I noticed a few faults . .
1) Sat Nav is VERY out of date - roundabouts removed on A1 are still there - removed around 2008
2) Cruise control slows down when you encounter an incline, but will respond to a tickle of the accelerator
3) The most worrying. On entering the vehicle, complete with key, on depressing the clutch and pressing the 'Start/Stop' button absolutely NOTHING happens. This has happened 5 times in our six months with the car.
I took it back to the dealers earlier this week, they spent three hours with it and it was returned to me with all the faults still present. Their response was:
• All 9-5s have the same sat-nav software (not true, there is another 9-5 on the dealers forecourt with a different 'map data' version number)
• There is no fault found with the cruise control and the service department thinks the car might not have enough power to keep up the required up-hill speed (not true as application of accelerator makes the car, surprisingly speed up!)
• The intermittent starting fault is a known fault and will require a software update, unfortunately this software doesn't actually exist!
Then most galling of all, on leaving the dealers today the 'Oil Change Required Soon' warning has come on – the car has only done 7400 miles !! The recommended service interval is 18000 miles. Does this mean we will ACTUALLY have to service the car every six months?
I put these points and few more to Saab GB (I can't expect any more from the dealers, as they can only update software that they actually have!) and am currently awaiting their response . . . . .
Ideas?
(I've had an MX5, re-mapped 335d and considered throwing a can of red bull at it and killing it with fire)
1) Sat Nav is VERY out of date - roundabouts removed on A1 are still there - removed around 2008
2) Cruise control slows down when you encounter an incline, but will respond to a tickle of the accelerator
3) The most worrying. On entering the vehicle, complete with key, on depressing the clutch and pressing the 'Start/Stop' button absolutely NOTHING happens. This has happened 5 times in our six months with the car.
I took it back to the dealers earlier this week, they spent three hours with it and it was returned to me with all the faults still present. Their response was:
• All 9-5s have the same sat-nav software (not true, there is another 9-5 on the dealers forecourt with a different 'map data' version number)
• There is no fault found with the cruise control and the service department thinks the car might not have enough power to keep up the required up-hill speed (not true as application of accelerator makes the car, surprisingly speed up!)
• The intermittent starting fault is a known fault and will require a software update, unfortunately this software doesn't actually exist!
Then most galling of all, on leaving the dealers today the 'Oil Change Required Soon' warning has come on – the car has only done 7400 miles !! The recommended service interval is 18000 miles. Does this mean we will ACTUALLY have to service the car every six months?
I put these points and few more to Saab GB (I can't expect any more from the dealers, as they can only update software that they actually have!) and am currently awaiting their response . . . . .
Ideas?
(I've had an MX5, re-mapped 335d and considered throwing a can of red bull at it and killing it with fire)
chopper602 said:
Mrsthe wife bought a new Saab 9-5 TiD4 back in March, it's been fine for general use until we went over to France on holiday in August, then as this was the first chance I'd got to drive it for any length of time, I noticed a few faults . .
1) Sat Nav is VERY out of date - roundabouts removed on A1 are still there - removed around 2008
2) Cruise control slows down when you encounter an incline, but will respond to a tickle of the accelerator
3) The most worrying. On entering the vehicle, complete with key, on depressing the clutch and pressing the 'Start/Stop' button absolutely NOTHING happens. This has happened 5 times in our six months with the car.
I took it back to the dealers earlier this week, they spent three hours with it and it was returned to me with all the faults still present. Their response was:
• All 9-5s have the same sat-nav software (not true, there is another 9-5 on the dealers forecourt with a different 'map data' version number)
• There is no fault found with the cruise control and the service department thinks the car might not have enough power to keep up the required up-hill speed (not true as application of accelerator makes the car, surprisingly speed up!)
• The intermittent starting fault is a known fault and will require a software update, unfortunately this software doesn't actually exist!
Then most galling of all, on leaving the dealers today the 'Oil Change Required Soon' warning has come on – the car has only done 7400 miles !! The recommended service interval is 18000 miles. Does this mean we will ACTUALLY have to service the car every six months?
I put these points and few more to Saab GB (I can't expect any more from the dealers, as they can only update software that they actually have!) and am currently awaiting their response . . . . .
Ideas?
(I've had an MX5, re-mapped 335d and considered throwing a can of red bull at it and killing it with fire)
1) Get them to supply you with a new DVD/CD with the new maps on, most manufactuters have a 2011 disc.1) Sat Nav is VERY out of date - roundabouts removed on A1 are still there - removed around 2008
2) Cruise control slows down when you encounter an incline, but will respond to a tickle of the accelerator
3) The most worrying. On entering the vehicle, complete with key, on depressing the clutch and pressing the 'Start/Stop' button absolutely NOTHING happens. This has happened 5 times in our six months with the car.
I took it back to the dealers earlier this week, they spent three hours with it and it was returned to me with all the faults still present. Their response was:
• All 9-5s have the same sat-nav software (not true, there is another 9-5 on the dealers forecourt with a different 'map data' version number)
• There is no fault found with the cruise control and the service department thinks the car might not have enough power to keep up the required up-hill speed (not true as application of accelerator makes the car, surprisingly speed up!)
• The intermittent starting fault is a known fault and will require a software update, unfortunately this software doesn't actually exist!
Then most galling of all, on leaving the dealers today the 'Oil Change Required Soon' warning has come on – the car has only done 7400 miles !! The recommended service interval is 18000 miles. Does this mean we will ACTUALLY have to service the car every six months?
I put these points and few more to Saab GB (I can't expect any more from the dealers, as they can only update software that they actually have!) and am currently awaiting their response . . . . .
Ideas?
(I've had an MX5, re-mapped 335d and considered throwing a can of red bull at it and killing it with fire)
2) Cruise control on any vehicle should maintain the set speed and it should actually accelerate if there is an inclince to maintain that set speed.
3) Sounds like a common problem, I've had two cars with a button start and sometimes they can be intermittent and need a second press or a foot off the brake or clutch and a depress but most of them work flawlessly all the time. Ask them to pass the exact info on and let you see the tech bulletin/note which details the admission.
I'd be unhappy with all of the above but 2/3 shoudld be easy to rectify.
Contigo said:
1) Get them to supply you with a new DVD/CD with the new maps on, most manufactuters have a 2011 disc.
2) Cruise control on any vehicle should maintain the set speed and it should actually accelerate if there is an inclince to maintain that set speed.
3) Sounds like a common problem, I've had two cars with a button start and sometimes they can be intermittent and need a second press or a foot off the brake or clutch and a depress but most of them work flawlessly all the time. Ask them to pass the exact info on and let you see the tech bulletin/note which details the admission.
I'd be unhappy with all of the above but 2/3 shoudld be easy to rectify.
1) There is NO update disc available2) Cruise control on any vehicle should maintain the set speed and it should actually accelerate if there is an inclince to maintain that set speed.
3) Sounds like a common problem, I've had two cars with a button start and sometimes they can be intermittent and need a second press or a foot off the brake or clutch and a depress but most of them work flawlessly all the time. Ask them to pass the exact info on and let you see the tech bulletin/note which details the admission.
I'd be unhappy with all of the above but 2/3 shoudld be easy to rectify.
2) No fault found - so it's faulty and they can't fix it
3) Tried second, third, fourth etc press of the button/clutch and nothing works. On one occasion removed remote from car & tried again, it realised remote was missing and flashed up a message about it, then brought remote back in and it started. Can't expect mrsthewife to be doing this alone though!
Not too familiar with Saab's but does the satnav run off a disc? If so then you'll need a newer version (can be quite expensive!)If it's all internal to the satnav unit then there must be a way of updating - might be worth calling a few other dealers to find out.
Some cars run condition based servicing rather than set intervals, however you may just need a simple oil and filter change rather than a full blown service.
Some cars run condition based servicing rather than set intervals, however you may just need a simple oil and filter change rather than a full blown service.
chopper602 said:
1) There is NO update disc available
2) No fault found - so it's faulty and they can't fix it
3) Tried second, third, fourth etc press of the button/clutch and nothing works. On one occasion removed remote from car & tried again, it realised remote was missing and flashed up a message about it, then brought remote back in and it started. Can't expect mrsthewife to be doing this alone though!
I think you have answered your own questions then but you did state that you had seen a different car with newer or different maps on the forecourt.2) No fault found - so it's faulty and they can't fix it
3) Tried second, third, fourth etc press of the button/clutch and nothing works. On one occasion removed remote from car & tried again, it realised remote was missing and flashed up a message about it, then brought remote back in and it started. Can't expect mrsthewife to be doing this alone though!
1) Don't take no for an answer and ask them for the latest disc, they probably don't want to give you one because they are a chargeable cost option and you know the rest.
2) I am not sure I believe that, Did they just hook it up to the computer and and check the fault codes? I'm not even sure the ECU will record cruise control problems. I would take a mechanic out in the car and set the cruise and then go up an incline and demonstrate the problem to them. Try an identical car from the garage and see if the problem is on that car and if it is then it does indeed sound like they all do that.
3) Is it a remote? like a handsfree card that will unlock on proximity? If so yes they are a pain and usually need to be in the "dock" before they work. I have one in our Renault and unless it's in the slot then it won't always start with the button.
Contigo said:
I think you have answered your own questions then but you did state that you had seen a different car with newer or different maps on the forecourt.
1) Don't take no for an answer and ask them for the latest disc, they probably don't want to give you one because they are a chargeable cost option and you know the rest.
2) I am not sure I believe that, Did they just hook it up to the computer and and check the fault codes? I'm not even sure the ECU will record cruise control problems. I would take a mechanic out in the car and set the cruise and then go up an incline and demonstrate the problem to them. Try an identical car from the garage and see if the problem is on that car and if it is then it does indeed sound like they all do that.
3) Is it a remote? like a handsfree card that will unlock on proximity? If so yes they are a pain and usually need to be in the "dock" before they work. I have one in our Renault and unless it's in the slot then it won't always start with the button.
It's a HDD based Sat Nav system, but there is a DVD/CD slot, so I would guess that would be how it is updated. They don't seem to grasp the idea that a 'Map Data Version' 20.09.03 could be March 2009 and the one I have seen on the forecourt of 20.10.01 could be Jan 2010. They have stated more than once that there is no update available (this is 'troubled' Saab remember).1) Don't take no for an answer and ask them for the latest disc, they probably don't want to give you one because they are a chargeable cost option and you know the rest.
2) I am not sure I believe that, Did they just hook it up to the computer and and check the fault codes? I'm not even sure the ECU will record cruise control problems. I would take a mechanic out in the car and set the cruise and then go up an incline and demonstrate the problem to them. Try an identical car from the garage and see if the problem is on that car and if it is then it does indeed sound like they all do that.
3) Is it a remote? like a handsfree card that will unlock on proximity? If so yes they are a pain and usually need to be in the "dock" before they work. I have one in our Renault and unless it's in the slot then it won't always start with the button.
I DID take someone from the garage out to road test the cruise control, but only hill around on a dual road is 15 miles away and was so clogged with traffic I couldn't get up to speed. On holiday we were four up with luggage and stuff, so car was a lot heavier too.
Remote doesn't need to 'dock'ing although there is a little space in the centre console for it and it always gets put in there when driving. The service dept. admitted that there was a problem with the Stop/Start not working and it could be fixed with a software update, but that software doesn't exist.
chopper602 said:
It's a HDD based Sat Nav system, but there is a DVD/CD slot, so I would guess that would be how it is updated. They don't seem to grasp the idea that a 'Map Data Version' 20.09.03 could be March 2009 and the one I have seen on the forecourt of 20.10.01 could be Jan 2010. They have stated more than once that there is no update available (this is 'troubled' Saab remember).
I DID take someone from the garage out to road test the cruise control, but only hill around on a dual road is 15 miles away and was so clogged with traffic I couldn't get up to speed. On holiday we were four up with luggage and stuff, so car was a lot heavier too.
Remote doesn't need to 'dock'ing although there is a little space in the centre console for it and it always gets put in there when driving. The service dept. admitted that there was a problem with the Stop/Start not working and it could be fixed with a software update, but that software doesn't exist.
You sure it's a HDD system, as on mine the touchscreen opens out to reveal a second DVD slot for the nav disc. Not sure what the latest version of the Nav software is, probably the one you have since i can't find a later version than the 2009 one to download off t'interweb.I DID take someone from the garage out to road test the cruise control, but only hill around on a dual road is 15 miles away and was so clogged with traffic I couldn't get up to speed. On holiday we were four up with luggage and stuff, so car was a lot heavier too.
Remote doesn't need to 'dock'ing although there is a little space in the centre console for it and it always gets put in there when driving. The service dept. admitted that there was a problem with the Stop/Start not working and it could be fixed with a software update, but that software doesn't exist.
And my CC holds speeds uphill even with a caravan on the back, so definitely a fault there methinks
littlebasher said:
You sure it's a HDD system, as on mine the touchscreen opens out to reveal a second DVD slot for the nav disc. Not sure what the latest version of the Nav software is, probably the one you have since i can't find a later version than the 2009 one to download off t'interweb.
And my CC holds speeds uphill even with a caravan on the back, so definitely a fault there methinks
Yep, def a HDD based system, you can even rip CDs straight to it.And my CC holds speeds uphill even with a caravan on the back, so definitely a fault there methinks
chopper602 said:
Then most galling of all, on leaving the dealers today the 'Oil Change Required Soon' warning has come on – the car has only done 7400 miles !! The recommended service interval is 18000 miles. Does this mean we will ACTUALLY have to service the car every six months?
Sounds reasonable enough to me, if it hasn't had an oil change from new I would say it is well overdue.wolf1 said:
When it fails to start try holding the fob close to the button as quite a few cars transponder signals get drowned out by external wireless interference. The latest Lexus Is220d suffers pretty badly from it
The centre console 'space' for the fob is right next to the start button.+1 on the oil change. No matter what the service interval is, the first service is always far sooner. Between two and five thousand miles, so to be honest 7400 sounds like a hell of a lot on the original oil.
As for the cruise, the car should apply up to 100% throttle to maintain the speed set, so that is a problem. Get to the dealer at a quieter time and get a mechanic out to demonstrate, but ensure it happens in all situations first!
As for the cruise, the car should apply up to 100% throttle to maintain the speed set, so that is a problem. Get to the dealer at a quieter time and get a mechanic out to demonstrate, but ensure it happens in all situations first!
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