RoadVitals

2001 Saab 9-5 Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Apr 8, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 104 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Saab 9-5 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 8, 2018

TURBO MALFUNCTION AT A COST OF $455.00 AND ALSO ENGINE FILTER BOX.VEHICLE STILL NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY.WILL ONLY GO AT SPEED OF 25 MPH.REPAIRED ON 03/27/2018.STARTED OUT SMOKING ALL OVER THE PLACE FROM EXHAUST.WAS TOLD TURBO WENT BAD.I THINK A LOT OF THESE CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS I READ ON FORUMS(SAAB,).THAT I HAVE SINCE JOINED.THE SAAB HAS 139,000 MILES..I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT SPEED AROUND 35MPH.STARTED TO SMOKE HEAVY,BUT ONCE OUT OF CITY AS LONG AS I DROVE 50 MPH ON HIGHWAY SMOKE WAS DISPERSED FROM WIND AND MADE IT HOME BUT WHEN STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT WOULD BUCK AND TRY TO SHUT OFF.SMOKE NOT GOOD FOR ENVIRONMENT......

NHTSA ID
11083893
Incident
Mar 3, 2018
Mileage
139,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 8, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE AND THE FUEL WAS BURNING MUCH FASTER THAN NORMAL. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK TO INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V087000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 122,500. UPDATED 01/20/12*LJ UPDATED 03/05/12

NHTSA ID
10439001
Incident
Dec 7, 2011
Mileage
122,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 9, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V087000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DEVELOPED A SECURING BRACKET TO SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, WHICH CAUSED HER TO BECOME LIGHT HEADED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WOULD BE PERFORMED IN ORDER TO FIND OUT IF THE VEHICLE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,500.

NHTSA ID
10244985
Incident
Jul 3, 2008
Mileage
137,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 15, 2008

VEHICLE'S FUEL LINE DETACHED FROM FUEL PUMP DUE TO BROKEN RETAINING CLIP. FUEL SPILLED ON THE GROUND CREATING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218154
Incident
Aug 25, 2004
Mileage
56,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 5, 2008

THE CAR STALLED AND CAME TO A STOP WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, THOUGHT IT WAS BATTERY. GOT RIDE TO PARTS STORE REPLACED THE BATTERY SINCE IT WAS COLD WEATHER AND DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROAD. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. CAR TOWED TO LOCAL SHOP AT A COST OF $100. THEY HOOKED IT UP AND SAID THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND NEEDED REPLACED COSTING $414.54. JUST RECEIVED A LETTER COUPLE WEEKS PRIOR ON RECALL OF FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS THAT HOLD FUEL LINES TO FUEL PUMP. LOOKED UP OTHER COMPLAINTS AND FIND THAT STALLING SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL, COULD IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL PUMP? *TR

NHTSA ID
10217016
Incident
Jan 23, 2008
BrakesFuel system
Filed Dec 28, 2007

2001 SAAB 9-5 WITH ENGINE STALLING PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAS HAD THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED TWICE. SHE FEELS THAT HER VEHICLE IS A LEMON. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS FAULTY WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THERE WAS A LOUD ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE UPON BRAKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10213895
Incident
Nov 16, 2007
Fuel system
Filed Apr 2, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 SAAB 9-5 WITH 120000 FAILURE MILEAGE HE SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS FUEL GUSHING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ATTACHMENTS TO THE FUEL PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS RECALL 07V087000 ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE ISSUED IN APRIL 2007. *AK

NHTSA ID
10186764
Incident
Mar 2, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 7, 2007

WE OWN A 2001 SAAB 9.5 2.3T. MY WIFE IS A COMMUTER USER OF THE CAR AND CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE. HER GAS TANK HAS LOST THE COUPLING TO THE FUEL TANK TWICE AND LOST ALL THE GAS ON THE ROAD. SHE WAS STRANDED BOTH TIMES. THIS IS COMPLETELY INEXPLICABLE AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS NEVER ANSWERED WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED. DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, WE FELT IT APPROPRIATE TO REPORT. WE WILL HAVE TO CONFIRM THE INCIDENT DATES IN OUR RECORDS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10181925
Incident
Mar 1, 2006
Mileage
32,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2007

DRIVING ON THRUWAY,CRUISE WENT OFF SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED,CK ENGINE LIGHT ON. ENGINE STALLED WOULD ONLY IDLE AND SHAKE WOULDN'T MOVE. HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP CLEARED CODE RAN 1/2 DAY OK THEN CK LIGHT CAME BACK ON, PULLED IT BACK INTO MY SHOP. I SEARCHED INTERNET FOR SOLUTIONS POINTED TO FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. I"M A CERTIFIED FOR 34 YEAR MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN SO I TOOK IT OFF AND DISASSEMBLED IT AS I WANTED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM AS IT"S REASON FOR FAILURE. I DISCOVERED EVERYTHING WAS OK EXCEPT ALL OF THE WIRE INSULATION WITHIN THE INTERNAL AREA OF THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED AND PEELED AWAY CAUSING A ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SPIKE. THIS IS DUE TO THE USE OF INFERIOR WIRE INSULATION NOT DESIGNED FOR IT"S APPLICATION. DLR HAD NEW $457.00 PART IN STOCK. I INSTALLED IT,WORKED FINE DLR INSPECTED IT. I LEFT THE OLD PART WITH THEM FOR POSSIBLE SPECIAL WARRANTY CONSIDERATION WITH SAAB USA.SAAB DECLINED WARRANTY 01/02/07, I NOW HAVE THE OLD PART. THIS CAR HAS ALSO HAD 12 IGN SWITCH PROBLEMS WHERE 6 TIMES IT WAS REPLACED,THE LAST ONE WAS 11/17/06 COVERED BY WARRANTY,ALSO 6 HEADLIGHTS & 6TAIL LIGHTBULBS REPLACED & COUNTING NOT WARRANTY. I HAVE ALL WORK ORDERS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10178721
Incident
Nov 11, 2006
Mileage
61,198 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 6, 2006

GASOLINE LEAK - I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR (2001 SAAB 9-5 WAGON (4-CYLINDER) WHEN SOMEONE PULLED UP BESIDE ME TO TELL ME THAT GAS WAS POURING OUR OF MY CAR. I STOPPED THE CAR AND THE REMAINDER OF THE TANK EMPTIED ON THE GROUND. ONCE THE FIRE CHIEF OKAY'ED THE CAR FOR TRANSPORT, (THIS WAS REQUIRED BY THE TOWING COMPANY.) I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE CLIP FOR THE FUEL LINE HAD COME UNDONE AND THAT THE FUEL LINE HAD COME LOOSE. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT "THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE". THEY REMOVED THE FUEL TANK, REPLACED THE FUEL LINE, REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND PLACED A CLAMP OVER THE LINE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAAB 9-3 FOR A RELATED FUEL CLIP PROBLEM. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE (AND OTHER 9-5 DRIVERS I HAVE SEEN VIA THE INTERNET), I THINK SAAB NEEDS A RECALL OR CHECK ON THIS...*JB

NHTSA ID
10175297
Incident
Dec 3, 2006
Mileage
75,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 23, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A DRAMATIC DECREASE IN THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE GAS LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP WHICH CAUSED A RAPID LOSS OF FUEL. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V557000, REGARDING THE HOSES, LINES/PIPING AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID
10171613
Incident
Oct 18, 2006
Mileage
49,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 20, 2005

FUEL PUMP SPRANG A LEAK PUMPING GASOLINE UNDER VEHICLE AS LONG AS ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING. CAR WAS FLATBEDDED TO DEALER. NEW FUEL PUMP COST $810.00. *NM

NHTSA ID
10143287
Incident
Nov 16, 2005
Mileage
68,475 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 18, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER A SHORT DRIVE THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL. HE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A SPOT OF FUEL. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THERE WAS A LEAK WHERE THE FUEL PUMP COMES OUT OF THE GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
10143090
Incident
Nov 16, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2005

2001 SAAB 9-5 FUEL PUMP CLIP FAILED SPRAYING GASOLINE UNDER PRESSURE OVER EXHAUST SYSTEM BELOW REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE 2001 SAAB 9-3 FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. NO RECALL FOR THE 2001 SAAB 9-5. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135009
Incident
Aug 23, 2005
Mileage
54,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2004

A FAILED FUEL LINE RETAINING TAB AT THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 2001 SAAB 1995. NHTSA RECALL # 04V557000 IS THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD WITH MY SAAB, BUT I OWN A 1995, NOT A 1993. THIS DEFECTIVE TAB ALLOWED GASOLINE TO SPRAY FREELY TO THE GROUND MUST BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY RELATYED ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10104428
Incident
Dec 16, 2004
Mileage
52,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 15, 2004

THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 2001 SAAB 9-5 STATION WAGON WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND SHE LOST ALL POWER. THANKFULLY SHE WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD AND MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE PERSON WHO TOWED SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A "CRANK SENSOR" THAT FAILED AND WHEN IT FAILS IT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN THE GAS TO THE ENGINE. I HAD IT REPAIRED AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR THAT HE CALLED DIRECT IGNITION WHICH INCLUDES THE CAM SENSOR . MY CONCERN IS THAT IF IT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR CAN TOTALLY SHUT DOWN LIKE THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SAAB WOULD NOT TAKE MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE IT CHECKED AT THEIR GARAGE. I THINK THAT POLICY, WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, IS LUDICROUS! *AK

NHTSA ID
10095839
Incident
Oct 14, 2004
Mileage
25,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 11, 2002
Crash reported

ON HIGH SPEED SIDE IMPACK (IMPACT BY 4000+ LB CAR ON PASSENGER DOOR), THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAKED. ACCORDING TO THE WRECKER SERVICE, THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP "BROKE OFF". IN ADDITION, THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE AFTER THE COLLISION.*AK

NHTSA ID
764070
Incident
Jun 30, 2002

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .