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Model year record

2001 SAAB 9-5 recalls & problems

The 2001 SAAB 9-5 has 4 safety recalls and 104 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (72 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints104filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 5reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMar 7, 2007

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 07V08700094,377 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Risk
OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix
DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
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

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

9-5

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

9-5

21mpg combined
City / highway19 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

9-5 Wagon

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

9-5 Wagon

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

9-5 Wagon

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 24 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

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

9-5

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

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

9-5

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

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

9-5 Wagon

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 23 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

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

9-5 Wagon

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 24 mpg
FuelPremium 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 areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition7208049,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline2501060,100 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Delivery › Fuel pump1620058,599 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs; Hub7000117,000 mi
Equipment3010—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module; Power assist3000—
TiresSidewall2000—
Unknown or other2000—
Exterior lightingHeadlights1000—
SuspensionFront › Springs › Torsion bar1000—
Parking brakeConventional1000—
Seat beltsFront › Webbing1000—

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

Recent owner complaints

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