2000 Saab 9-5: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 102 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (51% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2016
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. There was a strong fuel odor leaking from the vehicle. The contact observed that fuel was leaking from the gas tank. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility the following day since all of the fuel leaked out of the vehicle. A mechanic advised him that recall 07v087000, fuel was related to the failure; however, his VIN was not included. The vehicle was repaired at the owners expense. The manufacturer also confirmed that his VIN was not a part of the recall. The current mileage was 191,535 and the failure mileage was 190,708. Updated 12/30/09. *lj updated 12/30/09*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2009
“During driving, I experienced intermittent failures of the ABS system. Over time it became constant. Apparently, the ABS control module has failed, as seems to be common with this vehicle. 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. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Mar 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle quit on highway would not restart mechanic informed me ignition coil n/g and there was a recall from saab but the serial #on mine is not entitled. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2009
“2000 saab 9-5 failed ignition cassette. Saab said they will not pay for repair even though the part had been recalled. Recall # 05v399000. *dt also the fuel pump failed. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2008
“Blinking check engine light. Happens every time I accelerate hard. The failure was in the direct ignition cassette. Causing misfire and possible damage to the cat. Dealer will not replace. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saab 9-5 (gary fisher edition). The vehicle stalled intermittently without any prior warning while driving at various speeds. The failure increased the risk of a crash and serious injury. In order to restart the vehicle he had to unplug the fuse to the ecm, re-insert it, then the vehicle resumes normal function. He has not had the vehicle repaired because the technicians cannot properly diagnose the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000 and the current mileage was 135,233.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. The contact stated that the fuel line loosened from the pump and caused fuel leakage. The dealer attributed it to the tabs holding the fuel line. The fuel pump line was completely disconnected. The engine stopped while driving approximately 35 mph. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed a puddle and fumes. The vehicle was towed. The contact experienced the same failure as described in NHTSA campaign id number 07v087000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The current and failure mileages were 68,690. Updated 04/23/08. *lj updated *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2008
“I recently bought a 2000 saab 9-5 se (v-6) (less than 2 months ago) and I was driving down the road and I could not accelerate. I tried to pull her over and put some dry gas in her hoping that would fix it but it did not. I nursed her into a garage (not a saab garage) and the mechanic diagnosed it with a ignition cassette failure. I checked on your web-site and called the saab number and the guy said that the recall was outside of the normal recall. I found this very odd because it was the same part just on a different VIN. I have never heard of these parts going before and it seems odd that it would go especially when the car is in great shape and has always been well maintained. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5 aero. The contact noticed rust on the lug nuts on all the wheels. The dealer acknowledged the rust on the lug nuts, but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. As of october 24, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03v006000 (wheels: cap/cover/hub). The current and failure mileages were 74,000.”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 9-5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Saab 9-5 reliable?
NHTSA has 102 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Saab 9-5. The most complained-about area is electrical system (51% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Saab 9-5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Saab 9-5 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.