SAAB 9-5 Complaints
557 consumer complaints on file.
- #10187954April 3, 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LETTER FROM INSURANCE COMPANY REGARDING LOSS OF SAAB DUE TO FIRE WITH REQUEST FOR PAYMENT**CC THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACT STRANGELY. THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB UPDATED
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10186764April 2, 2007FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10186786April 2, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MY DIRECT IGNITION MODULE FAILED RIGHT AS I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND I PICKED UP THE BURNING SMELL OF ELECTRONICS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. IF IT HAD HAPPENED MOMENTS BEFORE, I WOULD NOT WANT TO IMAGINE WHAT WOULD'VE HAPPENED. THIS HAS BEEN A WIDELY REPORTED ISSUE AND A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V399000 . HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT SAAB IS SKIRTING ON THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES SINCE THE V6 MODEL USES THE EXACT SAME PART AS THE ONE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR ALL SAABS WITH THESE PART NUMBERS. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185738March 21, 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1999 SAAB 9-5 SE SEDAN WITH A 2.3 LITRE ECOPOWER ENGINE WITH TURBO. BARELY 5 DAYS AFTER MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE THERE WAS A VERY SUDDEN ONSET OF A LOUD KNOCKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP THE SERVICE MANAGER AT WHICH INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A DAMAGED BALANCING SHAFT AND THAT MY ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF ENGINE SLUDGE. WHAT I WAS NOT TOLD, HOWEVER I DID FIND OUT WAS THAT ENGINE SLUDGE IS A PROBLEM KNOWN TO SAAB ON THIS CAR. HOWEVER IN ORDER FOR SAAB TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR, I WOULD HAVE THE UNREASONABLE TASK OF PROVIDING SAAB WITH ALL MAINTENENCE RECORDS FOR A CAR THAT I'VE OWNED FOR 5 DAYS. AFTER MUCH TRACKING I WAS ABLE TO FIND A SATISFACTORY NUMBER OF RECEIPTS, HOWEVER SAAB STILL REFUSED TO COVER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE OF A DATE DISCREPANCY ON ONE OF THE RECEIPTS THAT IS COMPLETELY OUT OF MY CONTROL. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185347March 16, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE A 2000 SAAB 9-5 SE, 6 CYLINDER ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR SIMPLY STOPPED RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ONCE TOWED TO THE SERVICE CENTER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COIL PACK ON HALF OF THE CYLINDERS WAS AT FAULT. THIS WAS REPLACED. I HAVE LEARNED THAT SAAB HAS RECALLED THE 4 CYLINDER COIL PACKS BUT NOT THE 6 CYLINDER VERSION. EVEN THOUGH THE 4 AND 6 CYLINDER VERSION ARE DIFFERENT, I WOULD EXPECT THE MANUFACTURING OF THESE TO BE VERY SIMILAR. I HAVE HEARD RUMORS FROM REPAIR SHOPS OF A HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE 6 CYLINDER VERSION TOO, AS IN MY CASE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185348March 16, 2007FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND BASED ON PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE REPAIR CENTER. THEY CHECKED THE CODES AND DISCOVERED 3 ERRORS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THEY CLEARED THE CODES, DROVE THE CAR AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SINCE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT HOME BUT THE ENGINE WOULD BARELY START AND EVEN AFTER STARTING IT RAN ROUGH. I REFUSED TO DRIVE IT SINCE MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR HAS BEEN WHEN A COMPONENT ON THIS CAR FAILS, THE CAR DOES NOT DEGRADE GRACEFULLY BUT RATHER STOPS ABRUPTLY (USING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD).
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185352March 16, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC MY ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ONCE TOWED, THE SERVICE CENTER DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS IN A SMALL CHEAP (TO MANUFACTURE) HALL EFFECT SENSOR FOR CRANKSHAFT POSITION. THIS FAILURE OF THIS LITTLE SWITCH STOPPED ME DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. GIVE THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THIS FAILURE MODE AND THE FACT IT IS SMALL AND CHEAP, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A REDUNDANT SENSOR IN THE DESIGN. THIS REDUNDANT SENSOR CAN SERVE AS A FAIL OVER MECHANISM.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185190March 15, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
I OWN A SAAB 2001 95 4DR SEDAN WITH 58K MILES AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING OR DOESN'T START UP INITIALLY. MY WIFE WAS IN TRAFFIC WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. A LOCAL REPAIR SERVICE INDICATED A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED WE GET IN CONTACT WITH SAAB MOTOR CO. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185067March 14, 2007VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 95SE WAGON. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS NOT OPERATING NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGE'S SIDE DEFROSTER WAS WORKING. THE WINDSHIELD WILL NOT DEFROST DURING COLD WEATHER. THE DEALER STATED REPLACING THE BOX INSIDE THE DASHBOARD WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 93800. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10185109March 14, 2007SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
JUST AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED: DASH LIGHTS CAME ON: ABS, TCS OFF, WARNING TRIANGLE AND BRAKE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BECAME PERMANENT. SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER CEASED TO OPERATE. RESEARCHED TO DISCOVER A COMMON PROBLEM WITH LIKE VEHICLES (SAABNET.COM). SERVICE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT ABS ECU WAS INOPERATIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ARROWAY SAAB DEALER ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE ISSUE WITH SAAB USA TO REPLACE $3500 PART. I WOULD PAY LABOR. SAAB DEALER REFUSED TO GUARANTEE REPLACEMENT OF ABS COMPUTER WOULD FIX PROBLEM. CURRENTLY WORKING WITH PURCHASING A USED UNTIL FOR $900. WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THE REBUILD OPTION. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WHICH IS 1) EXPENSIVE AND 2) POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AS IT AFFECTS KEY SAFETY FEATURES. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10184979March 13, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE CALLED THE TOLL FREE NUMBER NOTED ON THE SAFETY RECALL #05V399000 FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, AND PROVIDED THE VIN HE WAS TOLD THAT SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK TO HIM. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT HE COULD HAVE BEEN TOLD WHETHER OR NOT THE SAFETY RECALL APPLIED TO THIS VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. THE RECALL STATED THAT STALLING MAY OCCUR. RECENTLY THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT 5 - 10 MILES, AND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY STALLED ONCE. THE WEATHER ON 02/06 WAS CHILLY, BUT CLEAR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 102467. *AK CONSUMER STATES MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO HONOR RECALL. UPDATE *4/23/07 *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10184754March 11, 2007SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I OWN A 2000 SAAB 9-5. I HAVE FOUND THERE TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THIS ISSUE IS PRESENT AND KNOWN ON MANY DISCUSSION BOARDS FOR THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON THESE VEHICLES HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED? 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. THIS IS A FAIRLY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG 2000 SAAB 9-5 OWNERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. TO REFERENCE ONE OF MANY KNOWN INSTANCES OF THIS SAAB ISSUE, PLEASE VISIT: HTTP://WWW.SAABCENTRAL.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=73456. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10184720March 10, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE - EXITED ONTO AN INTERCHANGE RAMP AT 50 MPH - AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE AT REAR NEARLY REAR-ENDED MINE - BUT MISSED BY A HAIRS WHISKER. ANOTHER PIECE OF LUCK WAS THAT I WAS AT THE CREST OF THE RAMP SO MANAGED TO "COAST" TOWARDS THE SHOULDER. WAITED FOR A BIT - THE CAR WOULDN'T RESTART. HAD TO SPEND PERILOUS TIME ON THE LEFT SHOULDER BEFORE GETTING MY CAR TOWED. AT THE TIME OF WRITING - THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE DEALERS LOT. NOTHING SPECIAL HAPPENED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. PREVIOUSLY A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED JUST OUTSIDE MY RESIDENCE - AND THE DEALER CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID IT MIGHT JUST BE "BAD GAS". SAAB'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS USELESS. BASED ON THE OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED - REFER TO ODI #S: 10162804, 10137685, 10097342 - THERE IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE.*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10183936March 1, 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1999 SAAB 9-5 4-CYLINDER SEDAN THREW ROD AT 53,000 ON BUSY I-85 IN ATLANTA WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING WHATSOEVER (NO OIL LEAKS ON GARAGE FLOOR, NO ENGINE OR OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS, STRANGE NOISES, NOTHING). WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT. CAR HAD BEEN MAINTAINED REGULARLY. CONTACTED SAAB ASKING FOR REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED 8-YEAR WARRANTY ISSUED IN 2005 DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE RELATED TO OIL SLUDGE. SENT ALL REQUESTED RECORDS BECAUSE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ON FILE. REQUEST WAS DENIED. SENT FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO SAAB G.M. REQUESTING REPAIR. DENIED WITH NO EXPLANATION. PHONED ON 3/1/07 REQUESTING A WRITTEN EXPLANATION BE EMAILED. STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ALTHOUGH WAS TOLD IT WAS BEING SENT IMMEDIATELY. WAS TOLD BY PERSON I SPOKE WITH THAT THE CAR WAS OUTSIDE THE 8 YR. EXTENDED WARRANTY. SAAB WILL DO NOTHING EXCEPT OFFER A CUSTOMER LOYALTY DISCOUNT TOWARD A NEW VEHICLE. MINE IS PRACTICALLY NEW AT 53,000 MILES. LOW MILEAGE DUE TO SHORT TRIPS OF 3 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK. THIS DRIVING CONDITION WAS ONE SPECIFICALLY LISTED AS CONTRIBUTING TO SLUDGE. I DON'T WANT OR EXPECT A NEW CAR. I JUST WANT MINE REPAIRED. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10183329February 23, 2007FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PRESSURE LINE FROM FUEL TANK CAME LOOSE AND STARTED SPRAYING GAS ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. STREAM OF DRIPS ON HIGHWAY ALERTED A PASSING MOTORIST WHO FLAGGED US DOWN. LOST 5 GALLONS OF GAS IN JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES. HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. EVACUATED CAR DUE TO LARGE POOLS OF GAS UNDER VEHICLE AND DRIPS NEAR HOT EXHAUST PIPES. TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED FUEL LINE LOOSE AFTER LOOKING INSIDE PORT FROM UNDER BACK SEAT. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY BREAKAGE OR OTHER ISSUES -- THE LINE SIMPLY CAME LOOSE AND WAS EASILY RE-ATTACHED. CAR IS BEING TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION AND HOPEFULLY A FIX. CONSULTATION ON INTERNET CHAT ROOM SAABNET.COM FINDS THAT AT LEAST 3 OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE SAAB 9-5 VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10182460February 13, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2001 SAAB SID DISPLAY. THE LINES DISAPPEAR AND THE DISPLAY WILL NOT SHOW ANYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO THE CAR. THIS DISPLAYS IS VITAL TO THE OPERATION. IT FAILED WITH LESS THAN 50,00 MILES AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SAAB'S. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10182326February 12, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE FAILED . I HAVE A V63.0 MODEL OF THIS CAR. 4 CYLINDER AND LATER YEAR MODES OF THIS CAR ARE COVERED FOR THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER MINE IS NOT. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE AS THIS IS A CLEAR DEFECT IN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE. PLEASE CONTACT ME. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10181925February 7, 2007FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10181200January 31, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2000 9 5 SAAB. THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND LOST POWER AS SHE WAS TURNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE BARELY HAD ANY POWER. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOSE POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED IT TOOK THE MECHANIC THREE ATTEMPTS BEFORE THEY COULD DUPLICATE WHAT HAD HAPPENED . THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE OVERHEATING. THEREWAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE SAME YEAR/MAKE AND MODEL. VE HOWEVER, WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED SAAB SHE WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *AK UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10180923January 28, 2007SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
PURCHASED A "CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED" 2003 SAAB 9.5 AERO IN LATE AUGUST 2006 BEGAN HEARING HORRIBLE (AND WORSENING) GRINDING NOISE SOON AFTER PURCHASE. WE WERE THINKING IT WAS THE BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED...TOOK IT TO A WELL RESPECTED NATIONAL BRAKE SHOP WHO TOLD US WE NEEDED NEW RIGHT SIDE WHEEL BEARING AND THE COST WOULD BE OVER $700.00 THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 60000 MILE ON IT AND I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH TO FIND THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL THINK IT IS A DEFECT THAT COULD PROVE FATAL IF NOT ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0