2002 SAAB 9-5 Linear Wagon review from North America

Ran and idled rough since the day we got it home.

Transmission slipped and shifted erratically since the start as well.

Interior pieces fell of w/in the first 5,000 miles of ownership.

Engine makes excessive noise at various times- a whining, pump/ vacuum sound.

20,000 miles, paint bubbled and pealed.

25,000 miles- Turbo had to be replaced- had been blowing blue smoke and loss of power.

28,000 miles dashboard lights burned out.

30,000 miles - rotors needed replaced- told it was normal.

I wanted to like this car, BUT, it is more than a lemon, it is just a boatload of little issues that make it a miserable driving experience for most miles. It is by far the noisiest car I've ever been in. It shifts when it wants to, for no reason, brakes freeze, and it runs so rough and idles just as rough on most occasions, that your teeth feel as if they might fall out.

The dealer can never find any problems, only "updates the software" whenever a new version is available.

The paint it turns out was not a factory issue, but the result of shoddy work performed by the dealer when the car was in its service fleet prior to our purchase. Of course we asked if any body work or paint work had ever been down, but they deceived us. Buyer beware. We would have never have bought the car with miles had we known. Overall our dealer doesn't know BEANS about Saab's and customer service.