2001 Saab 9-5: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 82 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (58% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saab 9-5. While driving 15 mph, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle became difficult to control, slammed to the ground, and came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new rotor, hub assembly, and front rim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 194,000.”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saab 9-5. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was eventually able to restart. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v399000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2015
“My 2001 saab 9-5 has been experiencing a check engine light for awhile on and off. The vehicle will sometimes stall randomly and not start until engine cools down. The codes for cel lead to direct ignition. A previous recall on these vehicles, one my vehicle received. I called dealer and they said seeing as it was already taken care of once nothing can be done. I know I will to have to get it fixed to pass emissions testing due to faulty direct ignition. Not to mention how unsafe it is if it stalls. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“I just bought this car. The check engine light comes on indicating a serious problem. I had the error codes checked. They are p1312 and p1334. These codes indicate a problem with the "dic" (direct ignition controller). Earlier models were subject to recall. There is apparently still a problem. I keep clearing the warning signal, but it keeps recurring. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2013
“I have a 2001 saab 9-5. I have had to replace the direct ignition coil twice in my car. I recently read that this items have been recalled and I want to see if I am eligible for a refund for the work done. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saab 9-5. The contact noticed that the engine warning light would sporadically illuminate on the instrument panel. She also experienced a no start condition. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalls without warning. The idm was the cause of the failures. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 05v399000 (electrical system:ignition:module) in 2006; therefore, they would not assume any responsibility. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 89,074.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2009
“Bosch ABS module on 2001 saab 9-5 se v6 with 88,000 miles failed with ABS, tcs, brake, and /!\ failure lights displayed on dash. ABS no longer operable. Traction control system no longer operable. Engine management system no longer operable. Speedometer no longer operable. From reading many (over eight!) message boards, this an endemic problem with the bosch ABS systems in many bmw, saab, cadillac catera, vw cars. Why can't the government recognize that this is an issue? ABS is brakes and brakes are a safety system. Please look into this. Contact bba-reman in taunton, ma, they handle fixing these systems and their load is very heavy. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Aug 2008
“2001 saab 9-5 v6. Direct ignition cassette failure. Recall was issued, (recall 05v399000: ignition discharge module overheating) for this car year and type. Mine failed and they will not replace, even though the part # matches the recalled part #. All I wanted was the part replaced. Thank you *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2008
“The airbag warning light comes on without notice, and horn stops working, took to dealer who said it was the clock spring and this is a typical problem. It is a safety issue as the airbag is needed to prevent injuries. I have heard of other people being injured by this. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2008
“After bringing my car into the dealer for recall service I found that the dealer had not performed some of the work. The dealer did not address NHTSA campaign id number : 03v006000, which is about the wheel bolts. The dealer said that since I had moved to florida the recall was not valid even though it is nationwide. The vehicle came from ohio and had steel wheels in ohio during the winter. The dealer should replace the bolts but have put me in danger instead. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2008
Recalls - 4 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, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 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 2001 Saab 9-5 reliable?
NHTSA has 82 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Saab 9-5. The most complained-about area is electrical system (58% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Saab 9-5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,500 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Saab 9-5 have open recalls?
4 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.