2000 Saab 9-5 recalls and problems

The 2000 Saab 9-5 has 3 safety recalls and 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Saab dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

102

Crashes / fires

1 / 5

Injuries / deaths

1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2000 Saab 9-5 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2000 Saab 9-5 recalls

Recall 05V-399: Electrical System

Reported Sep 14, 2005 · 103,202 vehicles affected · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 03V-006: Wheels

Reported Jan 13, 2003 · 70,726 vehicles affected · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 01V-168: Air Bags

Reported May 18, 2001 · 43,073 vehicles affected · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Problem: 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.

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.

2000 Saab 9-5 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	63
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	15
Engine and Engine Cooling	12
Fuel System, Gasoline	10
Visibility	5
Steering	2
Fuel System, Other	2
Air Bags	2
Latches/Locks/Linkages	1
Child Seat	1
Seat Belts	1
Parking Brake	1

Most reported parts

Electrical System › Ignition › Module — 41
Electrical System › Ignition — 10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module — 7
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 4
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor — 4
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings — 4
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 78,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2000 Saab 9-5 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · at 123,000 miles · reported Dec 14, 2016

Complaint about automobile paint.I purchased car recently and the hood and top on car is flaky and faded.the color description is gray.I AM wondering if this is a problem with cars that were made in the year 2000.the hood and top would have to be painted.it doesn't look like tree sap or any foreign substance affected the paint.it looks like the paint just broke down.

Fuel System, Gasoline · at 146,000 miles · reported Jul 20, 2011

Driving slowly in heavy traffic, I noticed a loss of power when I attempted to merge with freeway traffic. The gas gauge needle was dropping quicker than normal, and the gasoline fumes became apparent after cracking a window. The engine stalled for the third and last time as I exited the freeway. Upon inspection, I could see that the fuel 'line out' from the pump under the back seat had come out, forcing fuel out onto the road, just in front of my right rear wheel. I was able to push it back in as the retaining clip was not broken. With air in the line, it took a while to start up and get to a…

Fuel System, Gasoline · at 146,000 miles · reported Jul 17, 2011

Driving in heavy traffic after leaving work, I noticed no loss of power until I attempted to merge with freeway traffic. Soon enough, though I did notice that the gas gauge needle was dropping quicker than normal, and the gasoline fumes became apparent after cracking the windows. The engine stalled for the third and last time just as I escaped off the freeway. Upon inspection, I could see that the fuel line out from the pump under the back seat had come out, forcing all (Of that oh-so-precious) fuel out onto the road, just in front of my right rear wheel. I pushed it back in (Fuel tank…

Equipment · at 70,000 miles · reported Apr 29, 2011

Direct ignition cassette failure...this causes the car to sputter like the engine is going to die and burns the electrical inside of the direct ignition cassette. We had the car hooked up to the machine and tested and got a misfire code (P0325) and once the check engine was cleared it worked again for a few minutes. The car will then stop operating, the engine stays running but when you try to accelerate the car does not move, goes into limp mode. This happened to me on the freeway this morning and thankfully I could coast to the side of the road. Saabservices.com shows that a recall was…

Electrical System · at 134,000 miles · reported Sep 27, 2010

The contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH when the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was safely driven to the side of the road and the engine was shut off. After waiting for the engine to cool, the contact dispensed oil into the reservoir. The vehicle resumed and the temperature gauge increased rapidly to the hot level reading. The engine began to overheat and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 05v399000 (Electrical…

Other Saab 9-5 years

2011 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 20012000

Compare all Saab 9-5 years · All Saab models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2000 Saab 9-5 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2000 Saab 9-5: 05V-399 (electrical system), 03V-006 (wheels), 01V-168 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 Saab 9-5?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (63 reports), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (15). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 78,000 miles.

Are Saab recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Saab dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.