2000 SAAB 9-5 review from North America

• The original key remotes stopped working within the first 6 months. The dealer provided me with at least 6 replacements because none would hold the programming to open the car. Eventually, one was able to hold the code. (11/00-3/01)

• The front toe setting was off from the beginning and the car pulled assertively to the right. The original dealer was never able to isolate the problem (after several trips to the service bay). The dealership which bought the original Tulsa dealership was finally able to identify it, but could only modify it slightly. By that point, the front tires were worn so badly on one side, they had to be replaced. (6/00-6/01). By 10/01, the toe setting was off again and had to be reset.

• The rear shocks had to be replaced. At the moment, I am not able to remember what alerted us to that problem. (11/02)

• After driving to my office on a snowy day, I was unable to drive the car home because it felt as if the parking brake would not release and several warning lights were illuminated. I had the car towed to the dealership and, after sitting in the heated garage all night, the car was fine in the morning. The only hypothesis my service adviser had was that some part of the braking apparatus had frozen and needed to thaw. I will admit it was a cold, snowy day, but I find it hard to believe a snowy day in Oklahoma will undo a car built for snowy days in Sweden! (1/03)

• In February of this year, I had the 60,000 mile service done. Now, in May, I am faced with having to have the throttle body replaced as well as the digital display which has been spotty for the last couple of months. In fact, the service adviser informed me the displays have been a common problem and the dealer always has several in stock in anticipation of someone needing a replacement. (5/03)

- As of 7/03 I had to have the ignition module replaced. Have spent a total of 3000.00 on the car in last 5 months.

I have written a letter to the president of Saab USA listing the above complaints. Her response was (and still is, despite my phone calls) that Saab has no responsibility for and will not address issues after the warranty has expired. Even the dealership feels sorry for me and gave me a slight discount on the last part.

If the company's customer service had been better, I would probably buy another Saab because I like the car and I understand lemons do happen.