Model year record

2000 SAAB 9-5 recalls & problems

The 2000 SAAB 9-5 has 3 safety recalls and 119 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (67 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints119filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemSep 14, 2005

Ignition › Module

Recall 05V399000103,202 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.
Risk: OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF QP3. AN INTERIM LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS IN OCTOBER 2005, INFORMING THEM OF THE CONDITION. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE THE IDM REPLACED BY LETTER DATED MARCH 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

WheelsJan 13, 2003

Hub

Recall 03V00600070,726 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF AN OWNER CHANGES THEIR WHEELS/TIRES BETWEEN SUMMER AND WINTER USING A STEEL WHEEL IN THE WINTER AND AN ALLOY WHEEL IN THE SUMMER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR RUST AND CONTAMINATION TO BUILD UP ON THE WHEEL HUB DURING THE STEEL WHEEL USAGE. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE CONTAMINATION IS NOT REMOVED, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AFTER THE TIRE CHANGE SERVICE, SOME OF THIS CONTAMINATION COULD FLAKE OR GRIND AWAY RESULTING IN REDUCED CLAMPING FORCE OF THE WHEEL TO THE HUB. OVER SEVERAL SEASONS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS REDUCED FORCE COULD RESULT IN FRACTURES DEVELOPING IN THE WHEEL BOLTS DUE TO WHEEL TO HUB MOVEMENT.
Risk: THESE FRACTURES WOULD RESULT IN WHEEL BOLT BREAKAGE, ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE WHEEL HUB, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED BY MAIL AND ASKED WHETHER THEY CHANGE BETWEEN STEEL AND ALLOY WHEELS. IF THEY DO ENGAGE IN THIS PRACTICE, THEY WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO BRING THEIR CARS TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE WHEELS, CLEAN ANY CONTAMINATION FROM THE WHEEL AND WHEEL HUB, AND REPLACE THE WHEELS USING NEW IMPROVED BOLTS WITH ATTACHED WASHERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Air bagsMay 18, 2001

Air bags

Recall 01V16800043,073 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG ALERT LABELS MAY NOT BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD.
Risk: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE SUNVISOR SURFACE AND APPLY A NEW AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON BOTH SUNVISORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

9-5

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

9-5 Wagon

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

9-5

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

9-5

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

9-5 Wagon

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

9-5 Wagon

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

9-5

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

9-5

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

9-5 Wagon

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

9-5 Wagon

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition	67	0	3	1	74,001 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	15	0	0	0	63,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor; Engine	14	0	1	0	83,160 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	13	0	0	0	146,000 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor	7	0	0	0	83,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	5	3	0	3	64,060 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal › Flasher unit	2	0	0	0	—
SteeringColumn locking › Anti-theft device; Hydraulic power assist system	2	0	1	0	—
Fuel system, otherFuel injection system	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, airAntilock › Control unit/module; Antilock › Abs warning light	2	0	0	0	—
SeatsMid/rear assembly	1	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
COMPLAINT ABOUT AUTOMOBILE PAINT.I PURCHASED CAR RECENTLY AND THE HOOD AND TOP ON CAR IS FLAKY AND FADED.THE COLOR DESCRIPTION IS GRAY.I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH CARS THAT WERE MADE IN THE YEAR 2000.THE HOOD AND TOP WOULD HAVE TO BE PAINTED.IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE TREE SAP OR ANY FOREIGN SUBSTANCE AFFECTED THE PAINT.IT LOOKS LIKE THE PAINT JUST BROKE DOWN.
Nov 1, 2016 · 123,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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…
Jul 13, 2011 · 146,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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…
Jul 13, 2011 · 146,000 miles
Equipment
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…
Apr 29, 2011 · 70,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
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…
Sep 21, 2010 · 134,000 miles
Electrical system
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
Jun 2, 2010 · 125,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: MODULE) HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE YEAR THE ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.
May 14, 2005 · 80,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
Aug 15, 2004 · 77,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosedLed to recall 05V399000
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE…
PE05017 · opened Apr 7, 2005 · closed Sep 23, 2005