2002 Saab 9-5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 43 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 53 complaints (32.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 13 | 24.5% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 11.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 11.3% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 11.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 9.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 9.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 15 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
Electrical System: 17; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 15; Electrical System:Ignition: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Air Bags: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 9; 2005: 7; 2006: 10; 2007: 11; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011398 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED. *JB SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048199 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH DELAY IN REPORT OF WARRANTY CLAIM AND THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE.*MR THE VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. UPON CONTACTING HIS LOCAL DEALER, THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CALL. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE, AND THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT SHOULDN'T WAIT AS LONG. CONSUMER IS HOLDING SAAB RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY HAPPEN BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE PHONE CALL AND THE APPOINTMENT. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036606 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, LOSING BRAKES, STEERING, POWER, ETC. THE 1ST AT 70 MPH ON FREEWAY, THE 2ND ON CITY ST. ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE 3RD IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT 20 MPH. SAAB HAS REPLACED 3 DIFFERENT THINGS. THE CAR IS TOO UNPREDICTABLE AND UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133832 · 2005-08-22 (August 22, 2005)
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS STARTING AROUND JUNE OR JULY 2003 AND THROUGH JULY 2005, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN OPERATION (GOING 35 TO 40 MPH AND WITHIN TWO MILES OF STARTING) CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, BRAKES, AND STEERING. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS POSSIBLE TO COAST THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING STRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, HUNT VALLEY SAAB, ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ON ONE OCCASION, ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE FOR THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WAS UPLOADED. ON ON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068906 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BLINKER ASSEMBLY BROKE FREE FROM THE CAR BODY. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING REMAINED CONNECTED BETWEEN THE BLINKER ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED A WHIPPING ACTION OF BLINKER ASSEMBLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150176 · 2006-02-13 (February 13, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V399000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068625 · 2004-04-21 (April 21, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL, AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056368 · 2004-02-02 (February 2, 2004)
ON THREE OCCASIONS I HAVE GOTTEN A "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" WITH A "TRANSMISSION" OR "COOLANT" AMPLIFYING LIGHT. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE CAR WENT INTO A LIMP MODE AS DEFINED IN THE SAAB HANDBOOK. TWO ITEMS, A TEMP SENSOR AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED WITHOUT THE PROBLEM BEING FIXED. TODAY'S FIX IS A PROGRAMMING UPDATE (ECM PROGRAMMING). DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM BUT BEGINNING TO THINK THE CAR HAS A BASIC FLAW AND DON'T WANT TO TAKE TRIPS IN IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,209 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143778 · 2005-11-28 (November 28, 2005)
ON 13 OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, STARTING 9/13/03, THE CAR'S ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS AUTOMATICALLY PUT IN "LIMP-HOME" MODE. IN LIMP-HOME MODE, THE ENGINE IS DEPOWERED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE CITY, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE THE CAR IS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH LITTLE POWER TO MANUEVER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS 12 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. VEHICLE IS LEASED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,511 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10183329 · 2007-02-23 (February 23, 2007)
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PRESSURE LINE FROM FUEL TANK CAME LOOSE AND STARTED SPRAYING GAS ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. STREAM OF DRIPS ON HIGHWAY ALERTED A PASSING MOTORIST WHO FLAGGED US DOWN. LOST 5 GALLONS OF GAS IN JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES. HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. EVACUATED CAR DUE TO LARGE POOLS OF GAS UNDER VEHICLE AND DRIPS NEAR HOT EXHAUST PIPES. TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED FUEL LINE LOOSE AFTER LOOKING INSIDE PORT FROM UNDER BACK SEAT. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY BREAKAGE OR OTHER ISSUES -- THE LINE SIMPLY CAME LOOSE A…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10183329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193580 · 2007-06-18 (June 18, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS, WHICH MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A FIRE. HE STATED THAT THE NOTICE SUGGESTED HAVING THE REPAIR DONE AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX MILES AWAY, WHILE HIS AUTO MECHANIC SHOP IS RIGHT DOWN THE STREET. THE DEALER WILL NOT PROVIDE HIM WITH A LOANER VEHICLE. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT HAVING TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,0…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10193580 at NHTSA ↗