SAAB 9-5 Complaints
557 consumer complaints on file.
- #10166180August 21, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
AUGUST 12, 2006 OUR 2002 SAAB 9-5 SPORTWAGON CAUGHT FIRE. RETURNING HOME FROM VACATION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED. INFORMATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND A PHONE CALL TO OUR SAAB DEALER LEAD US TO BELIEVE THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. AS WE APPROACHED THE TOLL PLAZA IN MAYS LANDING, NJ THE CAR STALLED AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. WE EVACUATED THE CAR. TOLL PERSONNEL EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND SUMMONED THE LAURELDALE FIRE COMPANY AND THE NJ STATE POLICE. THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE TOLL PERSONNEL PREVENTED A POTENTIAL DISASTER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT IN EGG HARBOR CTIY, NJ . AFTER A FEW HOURS WE WERE ABLE TO ARRANGE FORA RENTAL TO TRANSPORT US AND OUR VACATION BAGGAGE HOME. AT THIS TIME WE DID NOT KNOW THE EXTEND OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR OTHER THAN IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN TO OUR HOME AND IT WAS A SATURDAY. THE CLOSEST SAAB DEALER IN CHERRY HILL, NJ WAS NOT OPEN FOR SERVICE CALLS. WE ARRIVED HOME 5 HOURS LATER THAN EXPECTED WITH A RENTAL CAR THAT COST $125/DAY AND $0.20 A MILE + GAS. WE DROVEBACK TO NJ IN THE MORNING TO RETURN THE RENTAL BECAUSE WE DID NOT WANT TO INCUR ANY UNNECESSARY EXPENSES. SUNDAY AUGUST 13 WE TRAVELED BACK TO GALLOWAY, NJ TO RETURN THE RENTAL VEHICLE. THIS FIRE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AND SAAB SHOULD PICK UP ANY EXPENSES RELATING TO A CAR FIRE OF A 2002 VEHICLE WITH 59,518 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED, WE PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER IN CHERRY HILL, NJ AUGUST 19, 2006. REPAIRSR WERE COVERED BY SAAB ALONG WITH THE TOWING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE OF TWO IGNITION CASSETTES CAUSED A FIRE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, DAMAGING THE CONVERTER, EXHAUST PIPE, AND MOUNTS. SAAB HAS NOT EXPLAINED WHY THE MECHANICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE FIRE AND HAS GIVEN US NO ASSURANCE THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. SAAB HAS DECLINED TO PAY THE ADDITIONAL COST WE INCURRED WHICH TOTAL LESS THAN $500.00 WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH SAAB CUSTOMER SERVICE AND A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE CARRIER.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10165214August 11, 2006FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10165852August 10, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS DONE ON A 2000 SAAB 9-5. *KB WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC. IN SEPT 2004 THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) WAS REPLACED AT A CHARGE OF OVER $500. IN APRIL 2006 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM SAAB FOR THE IDM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE IDM HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. THE RECORDS DID NOT INDICATE WHERE THE WORK HAD BEEN DONE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT CANNOT FIND THE INVOICE. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10164889August 8, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL WORK FOR NHTSA RECALL # 05V399000, PERTAINING TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION MODULE WAS PERFORMED UNSATISFACTORILY. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED A SECOND REPAIR WOULD NOT BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER THERE WAS NO RETURN CALLS PROVIDED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10164523August 4, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE A 24 POINT INSPECTION WAS PREFORMED AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED. WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH., ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY, THERE WAS LOSS OF ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE SUFFERED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER $2,000.00 OF THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR WORK. SINCE THEN A RECALL NOTICE (05V399000) WAS RECEIVED REGARDING THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (SAAB RECALL # 05087). THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE RECALL DEFECT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10164441August 3, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT 8:00 PM THIS EVENING, I WENT TO DINNER. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING NORMALLY ON MY CAR. AT 8:20 PM, TWENTY MINUTES LATER, I START MY CAR AND IT ENTERS "LIMP-HOME" MODE WITH A BLINKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, INDICATING MISFIRE. GIVEN THE WAY THE CAR WAS ACTING, THE TIMING BELT HAS BROKEN. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THIS MOTOR IS A GM L81 MOTOR, 3.0L V6. THIS MOTOR HAS ALSO BEEN USED IN THE SATURN VUE AND CADILLAC CATERA. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA RECORDS, THERE WAS A RECALL ON TIMING BELTS FOR THE 97-2002 CATERAS. AS STATED EARLIER, THIS IS THE SAME MOTOR IN MY 2001 SAAB 9-5 SE V6 3.0L. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10164133August 1, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL THAT IS ON THE 2000-2002 SAAB 9-5S FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION MODULE. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05V399000. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD NUMEROUS 1999 SAABS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10163165July 22, 2006VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2002 SAAB 9-5 WITH 54000 MILES. THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE CAR STARTED TO SURGE BADLY. IF IT IS NOT REPLACED AT THIS POINT IT CAN GO OUT COMPLETELY AND THE CAR STOPS IMMEDIATELY IN TRAFFIC. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10163058July 21, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILLED OUT A REPORT. A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO FILED ON THE SCENE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10163056July 21, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH., THE ABS MODULE FAILED, CAUSING FAILURE TO THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER. THE MODULE HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10163130July 21, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BREAK BOOSTER GAVE OUT ON MY '00 SAAB WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE BREAKS TO STOP WORKING.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10162871July 19, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS MARGINALLY FUNCTIONAL AND HAS BEEN SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS BEGAN TO WEAR SHOWING VISIBLE GROOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES WHILE THE FRONT ROTORS STILL SHOW NO SIGNS OF WEAR OR GROOVING AT 4800 MILES. IMPROPER BRAKE PERFORMANCE IS FURTHER EVIDENCED BY THE RAPID ACCUMULATION OF BRAKE DUST ON THE SURFACE OF THE REAR WHEELS WND ONLY SLIGHT ACCUMULATION OF BRAKE DUST ON THE FRONT WHEELS. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO QUITE UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO KEEP WITHIN THE TRAFFIC LANE DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING MANEUVERS FROM SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OR HIGHER. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND REPORTED THAT OTHERS HAVE FILED THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING FORCE IS AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED BY THE VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS LEASED TO ME UNDER A THREE YEAR CONTRACT. I THEREFORE HAVE NO OPTION TO SELL IT OR TERMINATE THE LEASE AND AM LEGALLY BOUND TO MAINTAIN PAYMENTS ON THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER 36 MONTHS. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10162777July 18, 2006VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DEFROSTER NO LONGER DEFROSTS THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED WHO DETERMINED THERE IS A CURRENT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE DEALER AS AN ONGOING ISSUE. *AK 08/01/06 UPDATED. *TT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10162804July 18, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND I HAD TO QUICKLY COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO SAAB DEALER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A FAULT IN DI CASSETTE. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10162327July 13, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
UPON REACHING MY DESTINATION AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF, I HEAR A NOISE WHICH SOUNDS LIKE AIR ESCAPING THROUGH THE CAR'S PASSENGER A/C AND HEATING SYSTEM. ALSO, THE CAR MAKES A WEIRD NOISE OCCASIONALLY. I AM SMELLING SULFUR FROM THE GASOLINE ACCORDING TO THE TAPPERT BROTHERS. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10162650July 12, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
2001 SAAB 9-5, CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RECALL WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL ONE MONTH LATER, AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE ALREADY PAID FOR. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED TO INQUIRE ABOUT HER REFUND, SHE WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER, THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ALL OF THE PAPERWORK AND ALSO THEY DIDN'T HAVE HER ADDRESS. NINE MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10162111July 11, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CAR ACCELERATION HESITANT AND NON RESPONSIVE PUTTING VEHICLE IN PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS AT FREEWAY ON RAMPS. IGNITION CASSETTE DIAGNOSED AS FAILED AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. 4 CYLINDER MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT MY 6 CYLINDER MODEL HAS NOT. SERVICE MANAGER INDICATES REPLACING 50 - 60 OF SUCH CASSETTES BETWEEN BOTH 4 AND 6 CYLINDERS AND CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED BY RECALL. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10161278July 3, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO VEHICLES WERE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS ON THE DI CASSETTE OR THE ID MODULE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TWO VEHICLES MAY BE UNDER RECALL FOR THE PARTS AFFECTED. HOWEVER AFTER AN INVESTIGATION IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLES WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR WITH THE SAME PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 7/19/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10161050June 29, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
SUDDEN MULTIPLE DISPLAY OF DASH LIGHTS INDICATING FAILURE OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM INCLUDING DISABLEMENT OF THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD ON CAR EXPIRED. SAAB DEALER REQUESTED $3000 TO REPLACE THE ABS UNIT AS A START, TO FIND OUT WHY ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS (TWO INDEPENDENT SHOPS) INDICATE NO COMMUNICATION WITH ABS SYSTEM COMPUTER SO DIAGNOSTIC OF ACTUAL CAUSE OF FAILURE IMPOSSIBLE. I FOUND OUT INDEPENDENTLY FROM PRIVATE CONSUMER GROUP: WWW.SAABNET.COM , THAT THIS IS COMMON FAILURE WITH SAAB 95S THAT ARE SEVERAL YEARS OLD AND THAT SEVERAL INDEPENDENT COMPANIES CAN REBUILD THE ABS CONTROLLER FOR LESS THAN $300. I REMOVED THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND SENT IT FOR REBUILD. I AM AWAITING RETURN OF PART FOR REINSTALLATION. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10160758June 26, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V399000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; IGNITION MODULE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0