2000 SAAB 9-5 from North America - Comments

The Car was great while under warranty. We have a 200 9-5 wagon with 65,000 miles. 6 months after the warranty went out the car left us stranded. The dealer (which was also great service while under warranty) wouldn't be able to even look at the car for a week and had no loaners available (they always had them available when we were under warranty???) We found a local repair shop that specializes in SAAB and is recommended. Well, we needed the almost $2000 60,000 service and to get our car running again it would be another $3000. This was all 6 months ago. Our goal was to have the car last us another 18 months. Now we have the lovely light show display problems, it did not pass the emisions test and to top it off, our car is now leaking coolant at a fast pace. My husband is taking the car tomorrow to see what the damage is. My guess is another several$1000. Insane for a car with 65,000 miles that has been maintained. The car is only worth about $7000 in great condition. I will NEVER buy another SAAB unless we have an extended warranty with it and even then I don't think I will because of this. There is obviously a recurring pattern of mega problems. I's love to take these problems to SAAB, but I'm sure it would do no good. DO not buy a SAAB unless you plan to sell before the warranty is up. They lose their value too fast too.

I own a Saab 2001 9-5 v6 Turbo. Bought it new. For the price I can't imagine a more fun car to drive. Handling, braking, and those air-conditioned seats are great. BUT the electrical system is atrocious. We'll probably go with a Honda when we get a new car.

The Saab headlights go out constantly. The SID has been replaced 3 times (when under warranty) and has gone out yet again. It'll cost $400 to $600 to replace. Warning lights come on for, what turns out to be, no reason. The security system occasionally shuts down the car.

Also, the air conditioner is the worst in any car I've ever been in. We live in Texas. If the temp outside gets above 85 the car can't deliver air-conditioned air unless you're driving over 40 mph. Heck, a crummy old Ford can deliver cool air in the hottest of weather.

So, if you're considering a Saab understand it's a lot of fun to drive, but get ready for lots of repairs and a poor air conditioner.

We've owned a 1999 9-5 Wagon for 2 years. Started with 72,000 miles and now has 97,000. While I agree with the postings regarding the pleasurable drive and performance, I must side with those who will likely not buy another SAAB again. Ditto to the multiple headlight replacements, SID failures, and engine hesitation issues. We've also replaced the Ignition Cassette (stranded my wife, 2 daughters, and 2 dogs in a not-so-nice place at night), and are currently faced with a $2700 ABS failure. Previous postings confirm the availability of re-built ABS modules for $140-$180. Check out autoecu. com and baa-reman.com A quick look at their websites and previous postings indicate it's an easy fix and much less expensive. Hope this helps someone else.

Have owned everything from Honda, Toyota, Acura, VW, Volvo. Mercedes, and even an Isuzu Trooper. (been driving for 24 years)

My favorite? Saab. 2nd fave? Probably the Trooper -great for 4x4 adventures!

Currently have a 2004 95 Arc with a bit over 70,000. Until today, only routine maintenance (plus a few recalls). The check engine light came on this morning and I need take it in to see what is going on. It runs fine so hopefully, nothing major. Actually, that is how I found this site as I googled “check engine light, saab”. Reading these comments scare me, so far, I guess I’m one of the lucky ones.

Had a 2001 95 SE and traded it in after 90,000. I miss the seats and stereo on that thing. I never liked the way the 01 shifted and the AC started blowing hot air. The dealer said it was a $15.00 or so part, but it would cost something like $1,500 for labor. So, I traded it in for the 04.

I’ll probably get a 93 Aero for my next car. Maybe next year when the all-wheel-drive comes out?

-Robert.

PS. Have met a lot of happy Saab owners.

I recently bought a 2001 9-5 Aero wagon with 61k miles from a used car dealer but could not get info about its repair history. The car drives beautifully but today the engine yellow warning light and transmission yellow warning light came on at the same time. I shut down the car and waited several hours before restarting the engine. The warning lights did not come back on. Does anyone know what these two warning lights signify when they come on at the same time? Are the simultaneous warning lights signs of a fault in the electrical system? Has anyone else experienced this problem?

I bought a Saab 95 SE 2001 about a year ago with around 100,000km, with an extended 200k 3 year warranty, since then I've done about 20,000km and the car runs superbly, I had one issue with the power windows and took it to the saab dealer who spent about an hour fixing it on the spot free of charge, The car has only EVER been serviced at saab with SYNTHETIC oil changes at services. I recently took it on a trip and clocked 850km ON one tank of fuel. Very happy with SAAB and customer service, but looks like I am one of the lucky ones.

I think the majority of these problems are due to the sludge issues, which are a known design flaw. If you have the sludge cleaned out before the engine develops problems and follow the instructions on the internet for the SID and ABS problems that creep up, the car is otherwise solid. The other issues I see here are not uncommon across makes. Turbos go in any car without rhyme or reason. I can't think of any car brands that aren't owned by some conglomerate- the 95-97 Jags with Ford parts were the most reliable cars they ever made. I even recall once reading that some Lamborghinis had headlights from the Nizzan 300zx. So the "GM" argument seems weak. "Everyone hates their Saab"- I think people are more apt to complain than give complements (ask anyone that has ever worked in the service industry), especially on the internet. A lot of these issues are characteristic of European cars; look at the 2000-2005 Mercedes- they are complete lemons. It is a price you pay for something "different" that performs well; for those who said the crappiness of Saab is evident by their sales, look again at the horrible reliability of the German makes, yet they aren't doing poorly at all. The same blue frowny faces can easily be seen on carsurvey for these German makes (or even for Toyota Camrys). Again, maybe people that are angry are more apt to post it on carsurvey.

Change the oil every 212 hours of driving (or use the 3000 mile guide). I've even heard of people putting a tiny amount of ATF in the oil, but I've never done that. Don't drive it like a maniac, change the oil with synthetic like a fiend, and keep the sludge away (my mechanic installed a different screen, something he claims is from a jet- ironic for a Saab). Headlights? Just an annoyance, not like a major issue. Just enjoy the car and find a GREAT independent garage (I can't believe how many people are going to the dealer, who purposely sells you unnecessary replacement parts at astronomical prices!).

I have a 2001 9.5 with the 4 banger with 194,000 miles. Replace the turbo once, throttle body once, rear shocks once and other little things. Always change my oil every 3,000 mile with mobile-1. The car still runs amazing. I drive it everyday and hope to get 250,000 out of it. I have had a lot of cars and none of them ran this good with 194,000 miles. All cars have problems. It just depends on what you want to drive. I will buy another one when this dies. The best car I have ever owned.

Past Cars: Civic, Accord, Maxima, Volvo, Audi (the worst), Altima, Dodge Dart, Plymouth Scamp, Dodge Polara, Buick Century, Toyota Corolla, K-Car, Hyundai, Jeep, Mazda 323 and 626, Mitsubishi.

This is in response to the guy claiming that the engine and trans lights came on at the same time...

I have a 2001 9-5, 75k miles. I had the same problem. I followed the instructions in the manual, which essentially tell you to drive the car in limp mode. I did and the lights went off. I brought it to the dealer the next week and they wanted me to spend $600 to replace a "neutral safety switch". Two weeks later the car still runs fine. I figure, I'll just keep resetting the transmission in the limp mode to make the lights go off.

Anybody know about the "neutral safety switch"?

I love my SAAB. I had the Turbo replaced at 70 k under warranty. The only major, recurring problem is that I've had to replace the battery 3 times in 18 months. A dealer diagnosis of the electrical system came up negative? Any answers out there?

Also, is the 9-5 the last true Swedish Saab platform independent of GM? I'm guessing the 9-3 and 9-7 is GM derived.

I purchased a used 2003 Saab 95 Linear in October of 2006 it had about 60K miles on it. I loved it, it was quick and fun to drive. Then came the issues, first headlights... no big deal. Then my serpentine belt came off due to being swollen with oil, which was awesome. I bought another belt, put it on about 2 months ago, July 2007. Last night I was in a driveway and I heard the belt pop off again and I was really excited about that. Turns out the head gasket is leaking along with the dip stick. This will cost me about $1,350.00 I told them go ahead and give me a tune up while you are at it (heck its just money). I will get rid of this car as soon as I get it back and Never buy another Saab.

TO the party who posted on 19 Sep, the 9-5 uses a GM Epsilon platform, which also undepins various GM US and European models.

I have been searching on line for a Saab (93-95 turbos,95aero, wagons), and I thank you all for steering me in the other direction. I think I will read the reviews for the AUDI A6 series. Sorry for all the woes. I drive a 97 Voyager and it runs like a champ.

I bought my 2000 Saab 9-5 new. It now has 45,000 miles on it, mostly around town driving. I get about 280 miles on a tank of premium. Is this normal, particularly in view of the fact that when I plugged in my diagnostic device code #P1180 said the fuel is too lean?

The ignition pack went out at about 30K miles, which was under the mileage limit, but out of the three year time warranty. The dealer wanted ~$850 to replace it. When I raised a stink he said he would beg Saab on my behalf. A few days later he said Saab would absorb the cost. My gratitude for the dealer's "efforts" on my behalf disappeared when I later found out that Saab had issued a RECALL for the part. That dealer would have let me pay for the part + installation, which they would have gotten for free from Saab.

The turbo went out at about 40K miles. Saab DID spring for it, even though it was after the 3 years. Score at least one good deed for Saab. Now the head gasket is leaking and the brake vacuum assist is out. Any readers out there who have changed out the vacuum assist part themselves? If so, which tech manual did you use?

I change the oil every 3000 miles faithfully; sometimes sooner. Now, after reading all the entries on this site, I realize the reason why my oil looks dirty just a few days after changing it: it must be SLUDGE. The lube place recommends that I flush the engine with a solvent. Do any of you know whether this will wash out the sludge, or must I take the oil pan off to do that?

I have been looking for a Throttle Body for a 2000 9-5 Hot Aero, for a friend and I felt I must post a message in reply to some of the other posts I have read.

Personally I own a 2003 passat tdi 130 sport estate, it has long life servicing and needs the oil changing every 20,000 miles, the car drives & handles like a dream and has so far covered 100,000 without incident.

I also own a 1997 BMW 528 which has covered 150,000 miles. It is the best car I have ever driven, and all it has ever needed is a £40 crank sensor and a battery (both times I still got home)it has had Castrol Magnatec every 10,000 miles from new, and the engine is as clean and quiet as the day it was built.

While I admire Saab customers for their loyalty, I am frankly flabberghasted at some of the sums of money spent on your cars. I paid less for the Passat than some of you have paid in repair costs.

I think you should all rethink your choice in vehicles, and go for German or Japanese.

Good luck in your quests to find a reliable Saab, they do seem to be few & far between.

I've been considering to buy either a used 2003 saab 9-5 aero sedan or a 2003 Saab 9-3 convertible, both with 42000 miles, However after listening all this scary comments and stories about How expensive is to have them repaired when is needed or even to have a simple tune up done, I am thinking to buy a 2003 BMW 325I sedan with 45000 miles, I think is a better option before starting having a big headache all the time.

What do you think guys? would someone strongly recommend me to buy this BMW instead of the SAAB, thanks for any comments that could help me a lot if I learn something else from the experienced ones.

Feel free to email me at apato1@comcast.net with any comments about it.