4.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,507 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Saab 9-5:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #6

Jan 242005

9-5 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 35,000 miles
Direct ignition cartridge failures. On three occasions my car has suddenly stopped with no warnings. Fortunately in each case I was able to get to the side of the road safely. In each case the dealer has replaced the cartridge calling it "defective". I am not on my fourth cartridge in 35,000 miles.

- Huntington Woods, MI, USA

problem #5

Dec 082004

9-5 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,041 miles
My 2002 Saab 9-5 stalled and would not restart in the middle of a very busy 4 lane road. I have also noticed there are 14 other complaints on the NHTSA website with the same problem as mine. This an extremely dangerous problem a vehicle stalling on a highway or anywhere else can result in a crash or death. There was no prior warning of said issue. Saab dealer found code P1310 referred to tsb248-2428 and reprogrammed the sps. New #5387691 completed idm test and found current status 141 idd check code 57047. Located as an internal fault in the idm and also found the spark plugs fouled. Replaced idm and spark plugs. Direct ignition cassette. A tsb means that Saab knows about this problem. I feel unsafe getting into my vehicle now.

- Brewer, ME, USA

problem #4

Nov 072003

9-5 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
Car failed at 70 miles/hour on expressway. Just stopped. Cause was diagnosed as direct ignition cassette-web search shows this to be a common Saab problem. Was quite terrifying and dangerous to lose power on expressway-definite safety hazard.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #3

Jan 312003

9-5 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
Driving at steady 65 mph, car suddenly lost power, and engine stopped after I pulled to side of interstate.diagnosed as failed direct ignition cassette and replaced by dealer.

- Leo, IN, USA

problem #2

Aug 122003

9-5

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 102003

9-5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
The vehicle stalled without warning, the dealer diagnosed the direct ignition cassette failed. Scc

- Irvington, NY, USA