2001 Saab 9-5 recalls and problems

The 2001 Saab 9-5 has 4 safety recalls and 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Saab dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 4

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Saab 9-5 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Saab 9-5 recalls

Recall 07V-087: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Mar 7, 2007 · 94,377 vehicles affected · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.

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.

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.

2001 Saab 9-5 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	63
Engine and Engine Cooling	19
Fuel System, Gasoline	14
Wheels	5
Equipment	3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	2
Structure	1
Vehicle Speed Control	1
Unknown or Other	1
Fuel System, Other	1
Air Bags	1
Service Brakes, Electric	1

Most reported parts

Electrical System › Ignition › Module — 25
Electrical System › Ignition — 14
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 7
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings — 5
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor — 3
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 3
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 2
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 63,500 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 2001 Saab 9-5 complaints

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

Wheels · at 194,000 miles · reported Apr 4, 2016

The contact owns a 2001 saab 9-5. While driving 15 MPH, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle became difficult to control, slammed to the ground, and came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new rotor, hub assembly, and front rim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 194,000.

Electrical System · at 100,000 miles · reported Sep 25, 2015

The contact owns a 2001 saab 9-5. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was eventually able to restart. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v399000 (Electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Electrical System · at 174,621 miles · reported Jun 12, 2014

My 2001 saab 9-5 has been experiencing a check engine light for awhile on and off. The vehicle will sometimes stall randomly and not start until engine cools down. The codes for cel lead to direct ignition. A previous recall on these vehicles, one my vehicle received. I called dealer and they said seeing as it was already taken care of once nothing can be done. I know I will to have to get it fixed to pass emissions testing due to faulty direct ignition. Not to mention how unsafe it is if it stalls.

Electrical System · at 101,550 miles · reported Jun 25, 2013

I just bought this car. The check engine light comes on indicating a serious problem. I had the error codes checked. They are p1312 and p1334. These codes indicate a problem with the "dic" (Direct ignition controller). Earlier models were subject to recall. There is apparently still a problem. I keep clearing the warning signal, but it keeps recurring.

Fuel System, Gasoline · at 122,500 miles · reported Dec 8, 2011

The contact owns a 2001 saab 9-5. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, he noticed an overpowering odor of gasoline and the fuel was burning much faster than normal. After stopping the vehicle, he noticed a leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that they would have to drop the entire fuel tank to inspect the failure. The vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that he was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 07v087000 (Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings).…

Other Saab 9-5 years

2011 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 200220012000

Compare all Saab 9-5 years · All Saab models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Saab 9-5 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 Saab 9-5: 07V-087 (fuel system, gasoline), 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 2001 Saab 9-5?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (63 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (19). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 63,500 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.