2000 Saab 9-5 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 Saab 9-5, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical5745.2%
- Brakes1713.5%
- Fuel system1411.1%
- Engine1411.1%
- Visibility75.6%
- Airbags54.0%
- Interior & seats21.6%
- Exterior lighting21.6%
- Seat belts21.6%
- Steering21.6%
- Driver assistance10.8%
- Tires & wheels10.8%
- Other / unspecified10.8%
- Transmission10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. AFTER WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO COOL, THE CONTACT DISPENSED OIL INTO THE RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE RESUMED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED RAPIDLY TO THE HOT LEVEL READING. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: MODULE) HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
2000 SAAB 95 AUTOMOBILE HAS POOR PERFORMANCE AND LOSS OF POWER. SAAB DEALER REPLACED DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (DIC) IN 2006 UNDER RECALL AND THE PROBLEM HAS DEVELOPED AGAIN. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE A SECOND DIC. THIS IS BOTH EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS FOR HIGHWAY OPERATION. THE PART HAS PROBLEMS. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING DRIVING, I EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF THE ABS SYSTEM. OVER TIME IT BECAME CONSTANT. APPARENTLY, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED, AS SEEMS TO BE COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE SPEEDOMETER TO SHUT OFF, THE ODOMETER TO STOP CLOCKING MILES, THE ABS SYSTEM TO SHUTDOWN AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TO SHUT OFF. *TR
I OWN A 2000 SAAB 9-5 AERO SEDAN. ON JUNE 14, 2007, I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN I EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS LOSS OCCURRED COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR WAS BY ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION BY A MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP AND BRAKE BOOSTER HAD FAILED. I WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED AND THAT I DID NOT DRIFT OUT INTO THE 5 LANE HIGHWAY THAT I WAS APPROACHING. I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE IN THAT I DID NOT HIT OTHER CARS OR PEDESTRIANS IN THIS INCIDENT. SAAB HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR BRAKE PROBLEMS AND I BELIEVE THAT THE 9-5 SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING SLOWLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE WITH FREEWAY TRAFFIC. THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE WAS DROPPING QUICKER THAN NORMAL, AND THE GASOLINE FUMES BECAME APPARENT AFTER CRACKING A WINDOW. THE ENGINE STALLED FOR THE THIRD AND LAST TIME AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY. UPON INSPECTION, I COULD SEE THAT THE FUEL 'LINE OUT' FROM THE PUMP UNDER THE BACK SEAT HAD COME OUT, FORCING FUEL OUT ONTO THE ROAD, JUST IN FRONT OF MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT BACK IN AS THE RETAINING CLIP WAS NOT BROKEN. WITH AIR IN THE LINE, IT TOOK A WHILE TO START UP AND GET TO A NEARBY GAS STATION. DOUBLE ZIP-TIES WHEN I GOT HOME. CALLED MY SAAB GUY WHO SAID THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, AND I NEED TO GET THEIR LATE FIX BRACKET. IT WILL NEVER COME OUT AGAIN OF ITS OWN ACCORD, AND I'M THANKFUL THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO GET IT TOWED - THIS TIME.
DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AFTER LEAVING WORK, I NOTICED NO LOSS OF POWER UNTIL I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE WITH FREEWAY TRAFFIC. SOON ENOUGH, THOUGH I DID NOTICE THAT THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE WAS DROPPING QUICKER THAN NORMAL, AND THE GASOLINE FUMES BECAME APPARENT AFTER CRACKING THE WINDOWS. THE ENGINE STALLED FOR THE THIRD AND LAST TIME JUST AS I ESCAPED OFF THE FREEWAY. UPON INSPECTION, I COULD SEE THAT THE FUEL LINE OUT FROM THE PUMP UNDER THE BACK SEAT HAD COME OUT, FORCING ALL (OF THAT OH-SO-PRECIOUS) FUEL OUT ONTO THE ROAD, JUST IN FRONT OF MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL. I PUSHED IT BACK IN (FUEL TANK 'ROADS?), AS THE RETAINING CLIP WAS NOT BROKEN. NOW WITH SOME AIR IN THE LINE, IT TOOK A WHILE TO SUCK ENOUGH FUMES TO START UP AND GET TO A NEARBY GAS STATION. SMOOTH AS SILK AFTER A DOSE OF FUEL. DOUBLE ZIP-TIES WHEN I GOT HOME. CALLED MY SAAB GUY WHO SAID THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, AND I NEED TO GET THEIR 'AFTER FIX' BRACKET. IT WILL NEVER COME OUT AGAIN, AND I'M GRATEFUL I DIDN'T HAVE TO GET TOWED THIS TIME.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 95. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE MINUTES WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE OPERATED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-5. ON NOV 18, 2008, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY HEAD GASKET, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION CASSETTE WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V399000. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL TO THOSE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 05/13/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT LUNGED FORWARD AND THEN STALL. UPDATED 05/13/09.*JB
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-5. ON APRIL 20,2006, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED DUE TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE). ON JULY 10, 2007, THE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND DISPLAYED A READING OF P1312. SAAB STATED THAT THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY WARRANTY ON THE IDM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,458 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE DEALER STATED BROKEN WINDOW. UPDATED 09/19/07 *TR
ERIK EAGLETON RE ODI VEHICLE SAFETY OWNER'S QUESTIONNAIRE RTD TO HIM WITH INCORRECT INFO, REQUEST A NEW COPY OF QUESTIONNAIRE BE RTD TO HIM W/CHANGES MADE** TRANSFERRED TO BARBARA SAUERS PER MRS. DEMETER**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOW DEFROSTER AND HEAT ARE NOT WORKING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO AWAIT REPAIR OF THE BODY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
ON 4/15/06, MY HUSBAND MERLE WAS DRIVING MY MOTHER AND DAUGHTER TO A GROCERY STORE. MY MOM STEPPED OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT; AS SOON AS SHE DID, THE SIDE AIR BAG LODGED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. IT DID NOT DEPLOY UPON ANY KIND OF COLLISION OR IMPACT; HOWEVER, THE CAR HAD BEEN IN A PASSENGER SIDE COLLISION ON FEBRUARY 21, 2006, WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER HIT OUR CAR BROADSIDE. THE REPAIR WORK WAS COMPLETED IN MID-MARCH. ON APRIL 18, 2006, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP THAT COMPLETED THE REPAIRS FROM THE 2/21/06 INCIDENT. THEY TOOK THE CAR TO SAAB INTL MOTORS (703.534.7222), WHICH PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR'S "BLACK BOX". MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE DIAGNOSTICS DID NOT REVEAL ANY HELPFUL INFORMATION TO EXPLAIN THE DEPLOYMENT. THE SIDE AIR BAG IS NOW BEING REPAIRED BY INTERNATIONAL MOTORS, AT THE EXPENSE OF STATE FARM (PHONE 1.888.613.3966), THE INSURER FOR THE DRIVER WHO ORIGINALLY COLLIDED WITH OUR CAR ON 2/21/06. THE STATE FARM CLAIM # IS 206103504-02. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH UNLOCK SWITCH WHEN DOOR IS LOCKED MANUALLY. IF YOU LOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY -- BY RESTING YOUR ELBOW ON THE LOCKING BUTTON -- THE UNLOCK SWITCH DOES NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE UNLOCK SWITCH MAKES A NOISE LIKE IT IS TRYING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BUT IT DOES NOT ACTUALLY UNLOCK IT. THE DEALER VERIFIED THAT THIS OCCURS ON OTHER MODELS OF THIS SAME CAR. *NLM
OPTIONAL WAGON SLIDING LOAD FLOOR SAAB P/N 02-69-645 COVERS REAR TETHER ANCHOR POINTS BEHIND SEAT, RENDERING THEM UNUSABLE. ORIGINAL WAGON FLOOR HAD CUTOUTS FOR TETHER ANCHORAGE CLEARANCE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RETENTION CLIPS FOR THE RIGHT SIGNAL/PARKING LIGHT ASSEMBLY BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55MPH. THE ASSEMBLY FELL OUT OF THE SOCKET AND WAS RETAINED BY WIRING HARNESS. UPON NEXT VISIT TO DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY PLASTIC FAILURE WHICH EXISTS IN SAAB 9-3 MODELS. FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN ON 9-5 MODEL. SAAB WILL NOT REPLACE ASSEMBLIES. DEALER SUGGESTED CHECKING OTHER ASSEMBLY WHICH I DID AND FOUND PLASTIC BROKEN ON THIS ASSEMBLY AS WELL. IN ADDITION, THE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS THE SCREW TO RETAIN THE LAMP HAS BROKEN AS WELL. THIS IS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
HEADLIGHTS KEEPS BLOWING OUT, AND DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT ASSEBLY, BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TWICE IN THE 4 YEAR, 60K LIFE OF MY SAAB 9-5 WAGON, THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT HAS LOCKED UP, SO AS NOT TO BE USABLE. BOTH TIMES AFTER FULLY FOLDING DOWN THE REAR SEAT AND RAISING IT BACK TO ITS UPRIGHT POSITION. THE FIRST TIME, SAAB MADE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE YET TO CONTACT SAAB OR SEARCH YOUR SERVICE BULLETINS. I DOUBT I HAVE FOLDED DOWN THIS SEAT MORE THAN 20 TIMES SO THE FAILURE RATE, FOR ME, IS >10%.*AK
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2000 SAAB 9.5 SEDAN. WHEN I CALLED SAAB TO GET A TETHER TO INSTALL OUR CHILD SAFETY SEAT, THEY TOLD ME THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, TETHERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR AN INDEFINTE TIME. THIS PUTS OUR CHILD AT AN UNECESSARY SERIOUS RISK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. ALICE FRADIN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. (THE HOOD BURNED) *SC ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE FIRE WAS A RESULT IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWED FLUID TO LEAK ON THE EXHAUST WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. *JB
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED VEHICLE FOUR TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE TWICE FAILED TO BRAKE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE SECOND TIME I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND COULD NOT STOP AT THE END OF THE RAMP. I TRIED TO DOWN SHIFT AND TURN RIGHT ON THE INERSECTING HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR SPUNOUT DOING A 450 DEGREE SPIN IN FRONT OF A SEMI IN THE OTHER LANE WHICH NARROWLY MISSED ME AND THEN I SLID DOWN THE EMBANKMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OVERPASS AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE DEALER RETURNED OUR CAR SAYING THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER ONLY DRIVING 50 MILES, MOST OF THOSE AROUND TOWN WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-5 AERO. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE LUG NUTS ON ALL THE WHEELS. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE RUST ON THE LUG NUTS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V006000 (WHEELS: CAP/COVER/HUB). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE...THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO SPUTTER LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO DIE AND BURNS THE ELECTRICAL INSIDE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. WE HAD THE CAR HOOKED UP TO THE MACHINE AND TESTED AND GOT A MISFIRE CODE (P0325) AND ONCE THE CHECK ENGINE WAS CLEARED IT WORKED AGAIN FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE CAR WILL THEN STOP OPERATING, THE ENGINE STAYS RUNNING BUT WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE, GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME ON THE FREEWAY THIS MORNING AND THANKFULLY I COULD COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SAABSERVICES.COM SHOWS THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT THE SERIAL NUMBERS ON MINE FALL OUT OF THE RANGE OF THE SERIAL NUMBERS THE RECALL COVERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WATER PUMP FAILURE, TRANSMISSION MOUNT FAILURE MAY HAVE ATTRIBUTED TO ECM MODULE FAILURE, TURBO SEAL FAILURE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. CAR DIED AND HAD TO TOWED OFF A HIGHWAY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .