Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I purchased my 2004 Saab 9-5 in 2023. I was under the impression that everything was running and that drivability was proper. When I attempted to drive the automobile it would start, idle 7 minutes and stall. It would not start again for about 35 minutes. I tried to use it, and this behavior continued. Often, in traffic it would stall while I was moving at low speed, and moderate speed: Without warning, it cuts out and won't start for 40 minutes. I have spent money with my mechanic, over $1,000. I personally bought many parts: MAF sensor, fuel pump relay, fuel filter, and fuel pump. I replaced the Coolant Sensor. After all this the vehicle still stalls 5 minutes after warmup. If it drives to warm up, it stalls and won't restart for 40 minutes. After I replaced the Crankshaft Position Sensor, (CPS), it has never restarted. …
I have a 2004 Saab 9.5 that I bought new on April 1, 2004. I discovered today for the first time that my backup lights are not working. Yesterday, I filed a complaint #10166145. This back up light problem is related. The hard plastic molded assembly on the drivers side of the trunk lid that is supposed to protect the wiring harness from damage is actually damaging and eventually cutting through all of the wires that pass through the assembly. Wires in my car began getting cut within 2 months of purchase and have continued. This assembly appears to be able to cut through about 8 wires leaving exposed wire in contact with each other and thereby disabling the cruise control, brake lights, reverse lights and electric trunk lock. This is not normal wear and tear - its a design fault. The wires seem to catch on the sharp edge of the plastic protector (!) that fits into the lid. …
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.
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. …
I would like to cite NHTSA campaign #05V399000. While driving my 2002 Saab 9-5 6 cylinder on 4/20/2006 I began to experience rough operation and reduced power of the engine. I was a short distance from my destination where I parked thinking I would need to be towed. At first I thought my car was overheating because there seemed to be steam coming from under the hood but there was an odd smell. I went into the coffee shop I was visiting and within a minute or two I turned to check on my car and I saw that the interior was filled with smoke. I went outside and noticed sparks and flames coming from under the vehicle in the area of the back seat and I immediately called the fire department. They arrived and put out the fire under the car and in the back seat where the flames had burned through the carpet. …
August 12, 2006 our 2002 Saab 9-5 sportwagon caught fire. Returning home from vacation the check engine light displayed. Information in the owner's manual and a phone call to our Saab dealer lead us to believe that the car was safe to drive. As we approached the toll plaza in mays landing, nj the car stalled and began to smoke. We evacuated the car. Toll personnel extinguished the fire and summoned the laureldale fire company and the nj state police. The action taken by the toll personnel prevented a potential disaster. The car was towed to an impound lot in egg harbor ctiy, nj . After a few hours we were able to arrange fora rental to transport us and our vacation baggage home. At this time we did not know the extend of damage to the car other than it could not be driven to our home and it was a Saturday. The closest Saab dealer in cherry hill, nj was not open for service calls. …
1. Driving at approximately 40mph, complete engine failure with out any warning. 2. Car could break but power assisted steering was non funtional, steering functioned with out power assistance, but very hard to safely steer vehicle. 3. Was able to move car off road into grass ditch away from rear traffic. 4. Black smoke came from drivers side of engine with smell of burnt plastic and rubber. 5. Certified Saab mechanic diagnosed car and found that the ignition cassette failed and burned from within. Replaced ignition cassette at a cost of $500. 6. There are two ignition cassettes in the Saab 95. The remaining unit has 60,000 miles on it. 7. If this failure took place on a highway in fast moving traffic, a tragic accident could result. There is no warning of the failure. I had three children in the vehicle. 8. …
On two occasions our 2001saab,9.5 6 cylinder transmission cassette failed. Leaving my husband and my self stranded with a smoldering car. On oct 19th 05 we were able to get off the hwy in the nick of time, heavy smoke had begun to pour out from under the hood. The fire was contained but the ignition cassette,the cause of the fire, the wire harness, battery and,spark plugs were destroyed and had to be replaced. At the time of this incidence we were driving in the southern sierras in a seasonal dry forest area. It was fortunate that a we were able to pull off the road in a safe spot. On aug.15th, 08. The replacement part failed again and as before the spark plugs, installed several months previously had to be replaced the continued failure of this part in an intrinsic manufacturing defect. …
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to January 2003. The recall is expected to begin during December 2005.
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Engine stall/ engine compartment fires
Odi opened pe05-017 based on 35 reports of alleged engine stalling due to the failure of the idm cassette on the subject vehicles.all complainants reported that the engine shut down suddenly without warning and most reported that the vehicle would not restart.in 3 incidents, the complainants reported smoke and/or fire resulted from the idm failure.during pe05-017, additional failure data was identified as noted in…
Frequently asked questions
Which Saab 9-5 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (70), 2000 (53), 2001 (48), 2002 (27) and 2003 (25) model years. Electrical complaints make up 59% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Saab 9-5 electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 06V-410 (module, Oct 26, 2006); 05V-399 (module, Sep 14, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Saab 9-5 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition › module (131 mentions), followed by the ignition (54).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.