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2002 Saab 9-5Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 65 owner complaints about the 2002 Saab 9-5, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

2002 Saab 9-5
58
CarFlaw IndexSolid year28% below the 9-5 median · #4 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints659 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage43kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 5, 2014. Updated daily. Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Saab 9-5 has problems

65 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system332
Engine and engine cooling133
Fuel system, gasoline61
Seat belts31
Power train30
Fuel system, other31
Air bags21
Steering21
Vehicle speed control20
6 other systems60

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2002 Saab 9-5 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 07V-087 · Mar 7, 2007 · 94,377 vehicles

Risk. OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Ignition: module

Recall 06V-410 · Oct 26, 2006 · 5,078 vehicles

Risk. OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Ignition: module

Recall 05V-399 · Sep 14, 2005 · 103,202 vehicles

Risk. OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Wheels: hub

Recall 03V-006 · Jan 13, 2003 · 70,726 vehicles

Risk. THESE FRACTURES WOULD RESULT IN WHEEL BOLT BREAKAGE, ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE WHEEL HUB, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saab.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

43kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 30 electrical system complaints. 97% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
10under 30k miles29under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other 9-5 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 9-5 median. How we score

'65'67'68'69'70'71'72'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Saab 9-5 safety ratings

2002 Saab 9-5 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Saab 9-5 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Saab 9-5, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE05017 · closed Sep 23, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-399
In owners' words

What 9-5 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

IGNITION SWITCH SHUT OFF WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY TWICE! ONCE IN 2006 AND ONCE LATER ANOTHER YEAR PLUS ONCE IN A DRIVEWAY (CAR PURCHASED USED IN THE FALL OF 2005). THE SAAB SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND IF IT IS HIT IT SWITCHES OFF AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR, SAME AS RECALLED SWITCHES IN…
Complaint 10576665 · Apr 2, 2014 · 40,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 95. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED TO REPAIR THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THE FAILURE RECURRED…
Complaint 10568730 · Mar 12, 2014 · 48,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-5. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION UPON RESTARTING.…
Complaint 10334616 · Jun 4, 2010 · 103,000 miles

Own a 2002 9-5?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.