2001 SAAB 9-5 Aero from North America - Comments

A/C has failed twice.

Engine has failed twice, the last time leaving me on the road waiting 3.5 hours for Roadside Assistance.

Wheel bearings in front had to be replaced at 21K miles.

Paint on rear bumper was peeling off.

3rd brake light had to be replaced.

SID (info display) had to be replaced.

This car is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Not only am I disappointed in the vehicle quality and craftsmanship, I am even more disgusted with the lack of assistance I have received from SAAB customer service. If you are considering purchasing a SAAB, please know that no one at SAAB Corp. will assist with any issues/problems/questions you may have. When you break down out of town, you are on your own, even with Roadside Assistance. They will make no effort to assist with trip interruption.

An update on the 2001 SAAB 9-5 Aero. SAAB was adamant about not reuniting a vehicle with its' owner, even though it broke down during a trip and was still under warranty. So, I fly from San Francisco to New Orleans and drive 6 hours to Shreveport to pick up the car. The dealer was 100% certain it had been repaired and was in fine working order. I even referenced the fact that I was driving the car back to California. I was assured that all was fine and it would make the trip with no problem.

After picking the car up mid morning I left the dealership, headed back to San Francisco. I DID NOT MAKE IT ONE MILE!!! It broke down again!!! This time it is a different issue and more parts needed to be ordered. I have tried contacting SAAB. No one will respond other than to tell me (for the most part, reading a script) I need to have it repaired (again) and come back to Shreveport. This is now the 3rd time this car has left me stranded again.

I realize that there are probably perfectly good SAABs out there. My main issue here is that people need to be aware of the lack of customer support/service this company has. The people I have encountered at SAAB Customer Service are apparently trained to be as abrasive as they can be. Not only are they unsympathetic, they are nasty, rude, and totally uninterested in helping.

It's my understanding that the term "Aero" wasn't used by Saab until 2002. Was your car a 2001 or a 2002?

Big difference considering the change in horsepower and braking.

Your understanding is wrong! Aero models started in 2000 with the 9-5.

Actually you are wrong (I don't feel the need to place exclamation points). The "aero" designation started with the 9000 series..1993 I believe.

Saab 95T linear. I bought this car with 45klm on the clock certified genuine mileage and I must say it's a delight to drive, especially on a long trip. However, after owning it now for eighteen months I'm always vary about what will go wrong next.

1st. The heater stopped working and needed repair.

2nd. The automatic gear box unit completely failed and needed a complete new one. Got home in limp mode.

3rd. Brake failure, back to the dealer again.

4th. SID unit sometimes works, sometimes does not and is very expensive to replace, I am told it's a common problem.

5th. Front drive unit drivers side (universal etc, failed. needed replacing. (told it's also a common problem)

6th. Brake light failure warning light comes on for no reason sometimes.

7th. Another total failure of the automatic gearbox etc and it's back at the garage.

In eighteen months it's been a disaster to own, due to constant problems, all of which I am told by the Saab dealer are par for the course when owning a Saab.

Thank God, when I bought the car it had a three year warranty. The insurance company I am sure will add Saab to their list of cars they won't insure shortly. Disgraceful build quality on a car which otherwise should be a delight to own and drive.