2000 SAAB 9-5 Aero turbo from North America

Summary:

It's been reliable for me

Faults:

Have had to replace the SID (the display above the radio). This is a simple replacement that I ordered from the Internet, and replaced myself.

General Comments:

I figured I'd chime in as I saw so many people complaining. I figured people like to vent when the are made about something.

This car has been wonderful for me.

It's quick off the line. It's comfortable. It's sweet looking.

I haven't had to pay the dealer a penny to fix anything yet. I just had to replace the SID, as many folks have. But you can pop the old one out, and pop in a new one yourself. It's just a simple plug in.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st May, 2008

2000 SAAB 9-5 Aero turbo from North America

Summary:

It is a beautiful and powerful piece of junk

Faults:

Check Engine Light comes on periodically since purchase.

Sunroof at 40,000 miles.

Display missing pixels at 50,000 miles.

Sludge Problem at 80,000 miles.

Short Block replaced at 80,000 miles.

ABS at 82,000 miles.

All four wheels froze in place at 82,000 miles.

Transmission at 85,000 miles.

CV Hoses hardened at 87,000 miles.

Timing Chain, Guide and Tensioner (?) at 110,00 miles.

Currently, engine Sounds like a diesel engine (110,000) miles.

General Comments:

Customer Service in the beginning was great.

After the car developed problems, customer service at Saab Headquarters was like the defensive line of the New England Patriots.

Customer service at the dealership was not sympathetic.

I would advise anyone to get rid of the car before the warranty expires.

After the warranty is expired, that's when the problems start to occur or in some cases, begin the repeat.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th May, 2008

2000 SAAB 9-5 Basic sedan from North America

Summary:

Never buy a SAAB, don't allow them in the U.S.

Faults:

We were so excited to purchase the SAAB however; there is a serious flaw. We need a class action suit.

The first engine froze up at at 45,000 miles. We are great at changing oil and taking care of our car. The dealer was totally rude and unhelpful, and told us the manual was incorrect and the oil had to be changed earlier than what was stated in the owners manual. We had to fight for weeks to get them to lower the price of the new engine. That put us out $1,600 dollars.

Now our second engine has 55,000 miles on it and it is blowing blue smoke out of the exhaust. We are in the process of dropping the sump and try to clean out the oil. We are very concerned that this engine is doing the same thing, and as soon as we get the brake light on the back interior fixed, $150.00 to install the new one, and fix the two broken front power windows that broke a year ago, $360 each, and hopefully keep it running after we clean out the oil and run some engine cleaner thru it, we are selling.

We know when we have been beat. There is no way dealerships and companies should be allowed to get away with the outrages prices for repairs, when obviously from prior comments the car is defective. Hope someone does something soon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th May, 2008

14th May 2008, 11:06

They are a bit pricey some times but it's called an extended warranty. Well worth the up front costs, plus adds a bit of value when trading it in or selling private party. Sorry to hear this about your saab we love our 95 arc but it is an 04' so don't know about earlier model problems. Shop around and find a good saab specialist or another dealer shop.

17th May 2008, 05:37

I have been obsessive about oil changes and my Saab 9 5 Aero is doing the same thing. So Saab does have a fatal flaw on the engine. It sucks and it does so badly.

My engine was replaced two years ago because of sludge. It is now progressing into the same type of problems that proceeded the first engine failure. So for a person like me who obsesses over the slightest noise variance on her car and change the oil every 1500 miles, what excuse would you provide. The Saab Engine has a problem and it is no fault of the customer. If it were some fault of the customer, no car company would issue a bulletin or recall. Despite matter government requirements to disclose problems, car companies rarely do so on their own unless there is a lawsuit of some sort or a great potential for one, like a class action law suit.

So, no, no, no, it is not all the customers fault. "Saab Stories" on this engine are real.

17th Apr 2009, 08:50

Oh come off it! Any modern engine, using a branded synthetic oil such as Castrol, should be able to go 10,000 miles and more between changes. Changing oil every 1,000 or 3,000 miles is absolutely crazy in this day and age. I have an 8 year old 3 series with 90,000 miles and it gets a service about every 15,000 miles per the interval indicator. It has been problem free. Saab should be able to do that same - they're a so called premium car though GM ownership has probably put an end to that! Even Fords, Hondas, Toyotas, etc, don't suffer from this issue. It's bad design and engineering - full stop!