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2002 SAAB 9-5 recalls & problems

The 2002 SAAB 9-5 has 6 safety recalls and 65 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (46 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints65filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 5reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
2002 SAAB 9-5 in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SeatsApr 9, 2008

Front assembly › Head restraint

Recall 08V16000057,389 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem
SAAB IS RECALLING 57,389 MY 2002-2008 9-5 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING COMPLIANCE TESTING, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENTS.
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A-PILLAR TRIM WITH IMPROVED ENERGY-ABSORBING CAPABILITY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
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 systemOct 26, 2006

Ignition › Module

Recall 06V4100005,078 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 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 JANUARY 2003. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. NOTE: THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 05V399).
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.
SteeringJan 4, 2002

Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm

Recall 02V0060002,601 vehicles

Problem
THE STEERING KNUCKLE CASTINGS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED DURING THE CASTING PROCESS.
Risk
THESE KNUCKLES CAN BREAK, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE FOR THE CASTING NUMBER. IF THE KNUCKLE WAS IN THE DEFECTIVE BATCH, THE STEERING KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2002. 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.

Crash test ratings

2002 Saab 9-5 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

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

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 28 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

9-5 Wagon

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 28 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

9-5 Wagon

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 27 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
FuelPremium Gasoline

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

9-5

21mpg combined
City / highway17 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

9-5 Wagon

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

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

9-5 Wagon

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

9-5

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 24 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-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 5-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; Ignition4602043,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine1302140,450 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Fuel injection system601052,750 mi
Fuel system, otherDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3010—
Unknown or other300043,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter300068,000 mi
Seat belts3101125,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system2100—
Vehicle speed control2000—
Air bags2101—
Latches/locks/linkagesTrunk lid › Lock1000—
SeatsFront assembly › Power adjust1000—

*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