2006 SAAB 9-3 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT HIS BRAKES FAILED SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE WHEN HE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF HIS PARKING SPACE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE BEFORE THE ENGINE HAS BEEN WARMED UP, THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS ROCK HARD. TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK. BRAKE FUNCTION APPEARED TO RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER THE ENGINE WARMED UP. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AT 15,383, THE CONTACT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE CRASH OCCURRED AT LOW-SPEED APPROXIMATELY 2MPH AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SCRATCHED BUT THERE WAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED ELECTRIC VACUUM PUMP MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY. CONTACT CLAIMS FAULTY VACUUM CHECK VALVE CAUSED BRAKE BOOSTER TO LEAK AND ELECTRIC VACUUM PUMP TO RUN TOO LONG AND BURN OUT. THE CONTACT PURSUED REMEDY UNDER LEMON LAW AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPURCHASED BY SAAB ON JANUARY 7, 2008.