2003 Saab 9-5

47 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

1. Filed Dec 12, 2020Failure Dec 5, 20202 milesMerion Station, PAFuel/propulsion system

   I HAD TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. IT SMELLED LIKE FUEL IN MY CAR.

   NHTSA complaint 11383122
2. Filed May 12, 2016Failure May 6, 201641,000 milesVaill, COElectrical system

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL DOOR LOCKS WOULD BECOME STUCK WHEN ACTIVATED BY THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10864571
3. Filed Aug 2, 2014Failure Aug 2, 2014131,000 milesMidway, KYEngine, Power train

   AFTER DRIVING MY CAR TO MY DESTINATION, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK BUT THE CAR WON'T STAY IN PARK. THE CAR POPS OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE, THEN IT WON'T START WHEN I GET BACK INTO MY CAR. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10618403
4. Filed Jul 17, 2014Failure May 14, 2014NEW York, NYIgnition

   TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10611334
5. Filed Mar 19, 2014Failure Jul 4, 201150,030 milesIrvington, NYElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system

   I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR WHEN DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT.I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AND THERE WAS A GAS STATION RIGHT NEAR BY. IT DID NOT START UP NORMALLY AND WAS VERY SLUGGISH. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT FORTUNATELY NOT HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IN THE RIGHT LANE. IT WAS VERY SCARY. THEY TOWED MY SAAB TO A SAAB DEALER FOR ME WHO HAD TO INSTALL A NEW IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 4-5 YEARS AGO ON MY SAAB 2003 9-5 STATION WAGON WHICH WAS BUILT BY GM. I BELIEVE IT WAS BUILT ON THE SAME PLATFORM OF ONE OF THE CADILLACS THAT IS UNDER RECALL. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10573322
6. Filed Jan 30, 2014Failure Jan 19, 2014100,000 milesVienna, VAElectrical system

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES SEIZED AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 06V410000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10562209
7. Filed Dec 31, 2013Failure Dec 27, 2005Long Beach, NYSeat belts, Seats

   THE FRONT SEATBELTS FRAY NEAR WHERE THE BUCKLE SECURES THE BELT WHEN IN USE. THE SEATBELT WAS REPLACED WITH OEM PARTS FOR THIS REASON. THE NEW BELT HAS FRAYED AGAIN OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. OTHERS REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS, PERHAPS DUE TO SOMETHING ROUGH ABRADING THE BELT SOMEWHERE ALONG THE BELT PATH. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10558047
8. Filed Dec 31, 2013Failure Nov 22, 2005Long Beach, NYElectrical system, Horn

   THE HORN OFTEN FAILS TO WORK WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED AIRBAG COVER IS PRESSED. THIS IS AN ONGOING, UNRESOLVED PROBLEM. A DEALER REPLACED A PART UNDER WARRANTY BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER 2002+ 9-5S WITH THE SAME HORN FAILURE ISSUE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10558046
9. Filed Feb 9, 2013Failure Jan 22, 2013112,000 milesMeriden, CTElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Vehicle speed control

   I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH DOWN A FOUR LANE ROAD WHEN THE CAR STALLED LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER AT THE ACCELERATOR. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD TO DEPRESS. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROAD WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BLOCKING THE ENTRANCE/EXIT OF A GAS STATION. I WAS LESS THEN 200 FEET FROM WHERE I WAS TURNING ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP OF A HIGHWAY. THE GAS STATION ATTENDANT WAS VERY UPSET TELLING ME I CAN NOT LEAVE MY CAR THERE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE STATION FOR OVER 2 WEEKS NOW. THE TECHNICIAN IS UNABLE TO FIND THE REASON THE CAR STALLED. HOWEVER HE EXPLAINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL PUMP RELAY ARE OPERATIONAL. HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY GETTING TO THE FUEL PUMP. HE HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF CHECKING ALL SENSORS AND RELAYS. DURING MY OWN RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THESE CARS HAVE FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WITH MANY RECALLS ON THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (DIC). AT THIS POINT, WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND RELY ON THIS AUTOMOBILE ON A DAILY BASIS. IN FACT, I HAD JUST DROPPED MY DAUGHTER (9 YEARS OLD) OFF AT DANCING SCHOOL. I WAS JUST ON THE HIGHWAY 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT DANCING SCHOOL. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN WITHOUT CAUSE AND WARNING. WOULD YOU PLEASE FORWARD ME ANY INFORMATION VIA E-MAIL OR REGULAR MAIL THAT WOULD HELP ASSURE ME THIS PROBLEM WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. IF YOU KNOW THIS CAR IS PROBLEMATIC THEN PLEASE INFORM ME TO SELL THE CAR SO I CAN GET A MORE RELIABLE CAR THAT WILL PREVENT THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10496946
10. Filed Jul 19, 2012Failure Jun 19, 201212,000 milesNEW York, NYTires

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5 EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES HKH405, SIZE 225-45-17. THE DOT AND SERIAL NUMBERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FRONT TIRES TREAD WAS WORN PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 UPDATED 08-24-12 *BF

    NHTSA complaint 10466572
11. Filed Oct 26, 2011Failure Oct 26, 201184,000 milesManchester, NHElectrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Power train

    MY CAR WAS BUILT IN 2002 AS WELL AS OTHERS REPORTED, I PURCHASED IT USED 3 YEARS AGO WITH 64K MILES. MY DIRECT IGNITION CONTROL IN 2003 9-5 LINEAR SEDAN 2.3T CEASED. UPON RESEARCH, MY DIC IS THE ORIGINAL PART 9197559 TK3.6 2000-2002 ARE RECALLED AND 'SOME' 2003 VIN'S. WITH THE OVER ABUNDANCE OF DIC FAILURES WITH THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER, THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED AS A WHOLE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE DIC, THE ENGINE IS LEAKING AT THE SEAMS OF THE HEAD FROM WHERE THE BOLTS ARE LOCATED, INSIDE THE DIC AND ENGINE SECTION IS PERFECTLY CLEAN. BOLTS IN THE HEAD OF THE ENGINE LOOSE, 1 WAS LIFTED OUT ENOUGH TO JUST REMOVE STRAIGHT OUT. CAR BLOWS BLUEISH SMOKE WHEN IT WAS STARTING, SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE (GM KNOWN ISSUE), OIL / ENGINE / HEAD KNOWN ISSUES, SUSPENSION KNOWN ISSUES (AMONG OTHER SERIOUS SAAB FAILURES). I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. THE KNOWN RECALLS MUST BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE PARTS, NOT JUST 'YEAR' OR 'SPECIFIC VIN'. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE, RELIABLE CAR BUT INSTEAD IS CAUSING SERIOUS FINANCIAL ISSUES. PLEASE HELP THE OWNERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS.. WE ALREADY PAID FOR THEIR 'BAILOUT'! SINCERELY~ CAN NOT TAKE ANY MORE REPAIRS!!! *TT

    NHTSA complaint 10432964
12. Filed Oct 8, 2011Failure Sep 28, 2011130,000 milesKnoxville, TNElectrical system, Module

    CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF AND CAR HAD MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHEN TRYING TO START ONE DAY. I CHECKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS, WHICH STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL, IGNITION ISSUES. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A REPAIR SHOP TO CHECK ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE IS A RECALL 06V410000, OCT 26 2006 FOR THIS VERY ISSUE BUT FOR 6 CYLINDER, AND MINE IS A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE IGN CASSETTE. THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, $582.45 AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY SAAB. MY CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT! *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10429158
13. Filed Mar 15, 2011Failure Mar 13, 201180,956 milesWake Forest, NCElectrical system

    2003 SAAB / 9-5 -- 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINE -- MILEAGE: 80,956 -- MANUFACTURER: SAAB CARS USA, INC. --MY SAAB SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING HAD A LOSS OF POWER, ROUGH OPERATION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SMOKE. THE SUDDEN STOP ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND OUT THIS IS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION MODULE. I HAVE REPLACED THE PART AND WITH LABOR THE COST WAS $441. MY RESEARCH HAS UNCOVERED A RECALL IN VIN NUMBERS UP TO 7727. MY VIN NUMBER ENDS LESS THAN 1000 LATER. THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY AS IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL. (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05017) I HAVE RETAINED THE PART AND THE SHOP VERIFIED THAT IT IS THE ORIGINAL PART. I BELIEVE THAT THIS AND THE OTHER OF THE TWO PARTS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. SAAB HAS DECLINED AND SUGGESTED MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO CONTACT HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10390254
14. Filed Sep 28, 2010Failure Sep 22, 201096,900 milesFederal WAY, WATires

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5 EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN N5000 TIRES (N/A). WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, HE WAS INFORMED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BOTH HAD VERY LARGE CRACKS ALONG THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 96,900.

    NHTSA complaint 10358107
15. Filed Aug 21, 2010Failure Aug 20, 201098,723 milesAlamo, CAElectrical system, Cooling system

    WITHOUT WARNING, ON TWO OCCASIONS, MY WIFE'S 2003 SAAB 9-5 AERO WAGON HAS STOPPING RUNNING WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR HAS BEEN FACTORY MAINTAINED AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. OBVIOUSLY, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE STOP RUNNING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR INSTALLED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT 6 WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

    NHTSA complaint 10351082
16. Filed Jan 27, 2010Failure Jul 3, 200947,612 milesNewton, MAElectrical system

    CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. FAULT CODE DETERMINED DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE COULD FAIL ANY TIME. REPLACED IGNITION CASSETTE AND SPARK PLUGS.*CW

    NHTSA complaint 10302518
17. Filed Aug 4, 2009Failure Jul 9, 200959,000 milesWeston, CTRadio/tape deck/cd etc.

    IGN CASSETTES FAILED (CAR WOULDN'T START, TOWED, VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR). A MECHANIC SAID THE IGN CASSETTES ON MY SAAB MODEL WERE NOT UNDER RECALL (BUT MAYBE SHOULD BE). *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10279330
18. Filed Jul 22, 2009Failure Jul 17, 200939,000 milesNEW York City, NYIgnition

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE, WHICH CONTROLS THE SPARKS PLUGS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION AT THE COST OF $500; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED. HE WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE SAAB MANUFACTURER AND REPORT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10277935
19. Filed Jul 14, 2009Failure Jul 13, 200994,000 milesNorth Haven, CTTires

    WHILE TRYING TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND SOME VERY CONCERNING UNEVEN WEAR IN THE INSIDE EDGE OF ONE OF THE TIRES. AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MY CAR MODEL. IF THE WEAR IS LEFT UNCHECKED CAN BE A HAZARD FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD, FORTUNATELY IT WAS CAUGHT ON TIME, BUT THE FACT THAT THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO REAL FIX AVAILABLE MAKES ME WANT TO REPORT IT. THE CAR IS A 2003 SAAB 9-5 AERO, BUT THE DEFECT AFFECTS ALL TRIMS AND YEARS OF THIS MODEL CAR. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10276738
20. Filed Jun 12, 2009Failure Jun 2, 200973,000 milesRaleigh, NCElectrical system

    BOTH DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTES FAILED ON MY 2003 SAAB 9-5 3.0L V6. GM RECALLED THE CASSETTES ON THE 2000-2002 MODEL YEARS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10273608