KnownCarProblems2001 Saab 9-5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Saab 9-5, most often about the electrical (54% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 9-5 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Saab 9-5 problems
Electrical
56 complaints · 54%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, wiring.
Complaint is that Saab USA has declined to replace/reimburse the cost of the idm/dic which failed on our 2001 Saab 9-5 v-6 VIN # . This was a recall by NHTSA in 2006. (NHTSA campaign # is 05v399000) Saab USA denied this repair as their data base did not include this VIN #. (this service request # to Saab USA is…
: the contact stated while driving there was a noticeable loss of power. The vehicle was taken the service dealer where a 24 point inspection was preformed and the throttle body was cleaned. While traveling at 35 MPH., on the interstate highway, on a clear, dry day, there was loss of all power. The vehicle was towed…
Engine
24 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
I own a 2001 Saab 95 se v6. Was driving down the nj tpk and the car lost power and had a small electrical like fire under the hood. Had to get the car towed from the nj turnpike off and then again to my place in bensalem pa. Total cost $77 + 66. Found out that the di cassette burned out, cost me approx $600 to fix. A…
At 8:00 pm this evening, I went to dinner. Everything was working normally on my car. At 8:20 pm, twenty minutes later, I start my car and it enters "limp-home" mode with a blinking check engine light, indicating misfire. Given the way the car was acting, the timing belt has broken. In my research, I have found this…
Fuel system
17 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
Driving on thruway,cruise went off sudden loss of speed,ck engine light on. Engine stalled would only idle and shake wouldn't move. Had it towed to shop cleared code ran 1/2 day ok then ck light came back on, pulled it back into my shop. I searched internet for solutions pointed to faulty throttle body. I"m a…
2001 Saab 9-5 fuel pump clip failed spraying gasoline under pressure over exhaust system below rear passenger seat. There is an active recall for the 2001 Saab 9-3 for the same exact problem. No recall for the 2001 Saab 9-5.
Wheels and tires
7 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, hub, sidewall, rim.
A prior recall addressed extreme corrosion on alloy wheels of saabs, in the vicinity of the wheel bolts. My concern is the extreme amount of corrosion occuring where the alloy wheel meets the steel hub. There is an orange colored powder, and deformation of the inside smallest diameter of the alloy wheel, where it…
After bringing my car into the dealer for recall service I found that the dealer had not performed some of the work. The dealer did not address NHTSA campaign id number : 03v006000, which is about the wheel bolts. The dealer said that since I had moved to florida the recall was not valid even though it is nationwide.…
Brakes
3 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: conventional, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Saab 95. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that the ABS module needed to be repaired. The current mileage was 97,000 and failure mileage was 96,980. Updated 11/15/07
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Saab 9-5 recalls
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on june 13, 2007. This is an expansion of previous recall campaigns - see 04v557 and 06v126. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Electrical: module
Risk: Overheating of the igbt occurs most often at engine start-up, but it may also occur while the engine is running. Engine stalling may occur, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to the introduction of qp3. An interim letter will be mailed to owners in october 2005, informing them of the condition. Parts are now available and owners will be notified to bring their vehicles in to the dealers to have the idm replaced by letter dated march 13, 2006. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with b205/b235 4-cylinder gasoline engines and b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines may experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads.
Wheels and tires: hub
Risk: These fractures would result in wheel bolt breakage, allowing the wheel to detach from the wheel hub, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners will be contacted by mail and asked whether they change between steel and alloy wheels. If they do engage in this practice, they will be instructed to bring their cars to an authorized dealer. The dealer will remove the wheels, clean any contamination from the wheel and wheel hub, and replace the wheels using new improved bolts with attached washers. Owner notification began march 31, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, if an owner changes their wheels/tires between summer and winter using a steel wheel in the winter and an alloy wheel in the summer, it is possible for rust and contamination to build up on the wheel hub during the steel wheel usage. If this occurs and the contamination is not removed, it is possible that after the tire change service, some of this contamination could flake or grind away resulting in reduced clamping force of the wheel to the hub. Over several seasons, it is possible that this reduced force could result in fractures developing in the wheel bolts due to wheel to hub movement.
Air bags
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
Fix: Dealers will clean the sunvisor surface and apply a new air bag alert label on both sunvisors. Owner notification began july 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the air bag alert labels may not be permanently affixed as required by this standard.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine stall/ engine compartment fires
Summary
Odi opened pe05-017 based on 35 reports of alleged engine stalling due to the failure of the idm cassette on the subject vehicles.all complainants reported that the engine shut down suddenly without warning and most reported that the vehicle would not restart.in 3 incidents, the complainants reported smoke and/or fire resulted from the idm failure.during pe05-017, additional failure data was identified as noted in the failure report summary above.the complaint data represents incidents where the complainants alleged a stall or fire.on september 13, 2005, general motors (gm) notified NHTSA of a safety defect on 95,081 my 2000-2002 saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles with 4-cylinder gasoline engines and
Questions about the 2001 Saab 9-5
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Saab 9-5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (56 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); engine (24 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); fuel system (17 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Saab 9-5 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 7, 2007 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Saab 9-5?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 9-5 model year since 2000, with 104 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.