2000 SAAB 9-5 from North America - Comments

I have a saab 95 wagon with what appears to be a common stutter problem. I live in Sweden and have taken it into the service department. Problem being is the stutter occured quite seldom in the beginning, so of course when I took it into the workshop it did not stutter. So no problems found from saab. How ever a few months down the track and the problem happening more often, I let the car idle for an extended period of time (40 min). The rpm gauge serging every now and then finally made the engine light come on. When I took the car into saab the next day they connected it to there computer and found the error code indicating that the throttle body has basically picked up to much oil in from the intake manifold. A sensor inside the throttle body put the car into limp home mode. Which by the way stopped the stutter. They told me at saab that they could reset the setting on the sensor to lift the values so the sensor could be reset. When I asked them if this could cause the stutter (throttle body) they said maybe. Because my saab 95 has been chipped to 245hp their computer could not reset the sensor. After asking them what was next they said new throttle body is pretty much all you can do. I took the car home and took the intake line off the top of the throttle body and cleaned it completely out, removing any oil residue. Then reset the sensor on the side of the throttle body, the engine light went off. It was out of limp home mode and appearing to be running fine. For about a week, then the stutter came back. I am almost certain that the stutter comes from the throttle body and the only cure, is a replacement. When I have the spare money and replace the throttle body I will let you know if it fixed the problem for good.

Wow, I can't believe this. We are looking at buying a SAAB, off lease, 2004/2005 9-3 or 9-5. We've driven them and love it. After owning Hondas and never doing anything, but changing the oil, your stories sound like nightmares. Thanks for the heads up. Have you heard anyone that was satisfied with their SAAB?

Don't bother with buying Saab. I have a 2001 9-5 SE V6 that has had nothing, but issues. So far (in the past 1 yr) I've had to do the following:

- Replace DI Cassettes & Cat converter $2300

- Replace timing belt @60k. Its free for the first timing belt, BUT its advised to replace the tensioner and pulleys as well (cost $500)

- Windows rattle when rolled down (cost $200 for 2 windows)

- CPS failure

- headlights constantly blow out (i replace one approx every 3 months)

- Front end CV boots replacement (neither my wife or I drive the car very hard -- in fact we've never collided with anything)

- Window switches failed.

The car is a beauty to drive, we call it a stripper tho; nice to look at, nice to be around, will cost you money and yes, there's no sex in the champagne room.

I also have a Honda accord 2000 with 100,000 miles on it, never had any issues besides following the regular maintenance schedule.

I am sorry to hear about all the problems encountered with the Saab 95. Sounds like these are post-GM Saabs. I owned a 1985 Saab 900turbo and put over 300,000 miles on it before the odometer quit. Gave it oil changes every 3k miles. Only had to replace a water pump and a trans rebuild toward the end.

I was looking at a 2000 95 wagon, but I will have to look a little more closely.

I own a 1999 Saab 9-5 and close to $8,000 in repair work was done on the car, thankfully under warranty. The SID computer display was replaced three times for a faulty display. The car also underwent major engine and transmission repair. The entire exhaust system was replaced.

The car seems to run OK today, but I get periodic warning messages from an emergency light; I don't know what's wrong, the SID display has burnt-out again so the diagnostic message fails to appear. It is unsettling driving the car with the emergency light on.

Saab customer service is useless. I have written them letters and they don't reply. When I called to complain I was told that complains are to be given to the dealer. General Motors does not accept complains. The last time I visited my dealer for an oil change they cut the leather driver's seat with a sharp object.

I will never buy another General Motors product again!!!

I own a 2003 Saab 93 Convertible. Thus far, the car has been a delight, and the dealer service the best I've ever experienced in 34 years of car ownership.

My sedan, a 2000 9-5 Aero Turbo, is a money pit still happening. In the last year alone I have spent over $12,000 on everything from replacing front lights, replacing short-block, bushings, gaskets, studs and now, and now, the ABS Control Module has provided an early Christmas light show on my dash. Every warning light is displayed, off and on. Another problem with my brakes, which feel like I'm driving with them on and is occurring because of the ABS Control Module, says the dealer. The brakes started smoking because they were so tight. Anyone with this problem? Is it the ABS Control Module or the Master Cylinder (hoses) that is causing the "tight brake" problem? Anyone with similar problems or suggested remedy, please email me asap at stevensonseven@yahoo.com

S. Stevenson.

P.S. Provide name and contact info. of after market place to buy parts.

We live in London and have a 2003 SAAB 95 Vector 2.3t automatic Estate.

Several times in the last year the engine light came on and our car went into "limp home mode".

Th AA (car rescue) came out, disconnected and then reconnected the battery, reset the codes and the car was fine again. SAAB connected it to a computer the next day, but said that it was fine and that the limp home mode had kicked in by error.

However this fault began to occur more regularly and recently our car cut out all together on several consecutive days.

We disconnected and reconnected the battery and were able to drive home, but the car is now totally unreliable although it has only done thirty thousand miles.

The SAAB was recently serviced and was supposedly deemed to be in good order.

Typically our three year warranty has only recently run out, so we'll now have to pay for any repairs.

Since reading this bulletin board, I think we might cut our losses and sell it or trade it in; however I'm not happy selling as dodgy car privately and I imagine they will offer us a low trade in fee because of the fault.

The engine feels lumpy (as though the timing is out) when the fault kicks in.

We loved SAAB'S and had an old SAAB which done three hundred thousand miles with no problems, but I don't think I'd buy a new one again.

Have General Motors changed the way they're made?

Jay.

I own a 1999 Saab 95. I love it when it works and hate it when it doesn't. It has 120,000 on it, but I have put at least 12,000 dollars into the car. So far I have had the following problems:

1. SID - digital display - I have almost a totally blank screen, but I have my radio stations memorized and I actually have not replaced this yet, but it is getting very annoying and I am wondering if someone can tell me what this will cost?

2. My front and rear brakes have gone 2 times.

3. I have replaced whole exhaust.

4. Power key issues, something about the battery.

5. Alarm system was out of control. The alarm kept randomly going off in the middle of the night or when I was driving... that was $300 to fix even though all I asked them to do was disconnect the alarm, they said Saab had some sort of system and it was literally "impossible" to disconnect. If the alarm was disconnected the car wouldn't start they said, Saab specifically designed it this way.

6. Most recently (my car is at the dealership now), I was experiencing a strange sort of rotating tire sound (like they were misaligned), but then the car began shaking a bunch and my battery light and Information light came on and I totally lost my power steering and had to get a tow (I checked the power steering fluid and it was fine). I am calling tomorrow to find out if they can figure out what is going on.

7. I have also have to have several other smaller fixes such at oil tank leaks, washer fluid issues, wiper issues, headlights and rear lights go out all the time!

In March 2006 I took my 2000 Saab 9-5 V-6 to the dealer for repair. The car wouldn't start hot. By hot I mean if I drove it down the road a mile, turned it off, and then tried to restart it, it wouldn't start. If I waited 30-45 minutes, it would start no problem. The dealer determined there was a part in the ignition which needed replacing and did so. I was still under warranty at that time. Recently - at the end of July I began having exactly the same symptoms, brought the car to the dealer again, and they said this time it was a different part in the ignition which needed replacing - to the tune of $250.00 because I am now longer covered by the warranty. Two weeks later, it's happening again so I've brought it back to the dealer again. 2 days into the diagnosis, they say they can't recreate the problem, but have contacted Saab headquarters to inquire as to whether or not my issue has happened to anyone else and are waiting for them to return their call. Anyone ever hear of such a thing... Oh and I've replaced the headlights - both went out simultaneously - recently. The glass on both headlights turned up cracked/broken after I got the car back from the dealer in March. No one has any idea what happened. I've got 67,000 miles on this Saab and think perhaps I, too, should get rid of it before things get any worse...

Kim - Former Saab lover in CT.

Hi, I Own a Saab 93 Aero,2001,and am very pleased with it. So far I have covered 20,000 miles in it making its total mileage 38,000.The SID has more or less failed now, but annoying as this is, the car is otherwise faultless. In fact I have to say its a great car!I only felt compelled to comment because of the misery suffered by some 95 owners. In short don't be put off, buy a 93!

Sludge!!! My 2000 Saab 9-3 with 66,500 miles suddenly had the oil light come on and after diagnosis - it's sludge throughout the engine. I have had oil changes twice a year however they were done at no charge by a friend. All other routine repairs were done at a Saab dealer.

I cannot drive this car and I still owe $6,000 on it. It's going to need a new or rebuilt engine.

Saab customer service tells me that if I don't have receipts for oil changes they are not responsible! And that's it! I guess I'm just supposed to dump the car because I can't afford to pay for a new motor myself.

Anybody else have this problem? Any advice is welcome!

You only had your changed oil twice a year. Now you're surprised that you engine has sludge? What did you expect.

Even if you were only putting 10,000 miles per year on your Saab, you should be changing the oil every 3,000 miles.

Use synthetic oil, as well.

Did you even check your oil between changes???

This is probably a very expensive lesson learned.

I empathize, but in the future, remember changing the oil is the most important piece of preventive maintenance you can do.

I changed it twice a year which was based on the Saab recommendation of every 7500 miles. Don't forget I drove it 8,000 a year. Also, my book clearly said NOT to use synthetic oil.

So are you suggesting there is no way Saab will/can help with this? I agree this is an expensive lesson, but I did stay within the guidelines recommended by both the dealer and the owners manual.

Please check your manual regarding the use of synthetic oil.

I have mine done at the Saab dealership with synthetic oil. I can't imagine why it would say not to use it, as it is far better in guarding against heat & breakdown, especially in turbo engines.