Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Significantly delayed acceleration when ambient temps exceed 90f. Car functions normally until you encounter summer temps and heavy traffic. Then, upon pressing the accelerator pedal car hesitates severely until engine speed reaches approximately 2100 RPM. Then acceleration comes on stronger than expected. This is particularly disturbing when making left turns or entering a busy street. Car sometimes misfires when this occurs.
Engine misfiring, due to common di cassette issues that plagued other models, some of which were previously recalled. This shouldn't fail after on 60,000, regardless of age, especially given it's exorbitant cost. Thankfully it hasn't failed me on the highway (yet).
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 own a 2004 Saab 9-5 wagon, which was purchased in nov 2004. There were approximately 31,800 miles on the car at the time of this failure, which occurred in late July 2008. (ironically, less than 2 weeks after having taken the car for routine service/oil change/tire rotation.) after having run 2 errands (I.e. Two stops & starts), I was driving to work on a relatively busy 4-lane road. Just after having come down a hill & rounding a corner, with estimated speed 35mph, the car's engine cut out, the power steering went out, & the brakes seemed not to work appropriately. I was fortunate to be in the right lane, and wound up coasting to a stop in the lane of traffic, as I had so little control of the vehicle that I was not even able to move to what little shoulder was available (the vehicle finally stopped while on a bridge). The vehicle would not restart. …
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 was driving on the highway when my cruise control shut off and the check engine light came on. When I came to a stop my entire car died. I was stuck at a stop light in the middle of rush hour. I had to hold my left foot on the brake and pump the gas pedal to get the car to rev, but it wouldn't continue to idle. It kept dying. I had to use both the brake pedal and the gas pedal to get it off the highway to a side street, which was extremely dangerous. Several times the car died. I took it to a GM certified repair shop who after three diagnostic checks determined the ignition module needed to be replaced along with the spark plugs because the engine was misfiring. I want Saab to recall this part and pay for the repair. It is the exact same part and problem that they recalled for 2000-2002 vehicles. It makes absolutely no sense that the 2003 part has not been recalled. …
The engine on my 4 cylinder Saab 9-5 (2002) has suddenly stopped while driving at least 4 times since owning the car, both on the highway and in slower traffic. The first time I reported officially (2007) to the dealer, "no cause was identified." I noticed the last time that it happened (around May 2011) that it seemed to coincide with inadvertently bumping into the ignition switch lightly while driving. The symptoms match that of another owner's complaint on this site for the 2002 Saab 9-5. I expected my car to be included in the recent recall involving the faulty ignition switch but got no notification. I have also paid in June 2008 and again in October 2009 and January 2013 to replace/reset a faulty ignition cassette, which I believe should have been part of a recall campaign and not charged to me, but the parts were not included in the recall. …
Dt: consumer states on October 6, 2005 while driving on a road the vehicle caught on fire. The fuel line was ripped, and one smelled gasoline all over the passenger side of the vehicle. Consumer stated when putting the vehicle in reverse it will stall intermittently. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer and no codes showed up on the diagnostic machine. The dealer changed catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor twice. The dealer could not pin point the problem. The engine failure light did come on before the vehicle caught on fire. The dealer said that some type of debris came from the highway that caused the fuel line to rip.
Frequently asked questions
Which Saab 9-5 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (18), 1999 (17), 2000 (12), 2003 (9) and 2002 (8) model years. Engine complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Saab 9-5 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Saab 9-5 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Saab 9-5 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (18 mentions), followed by the exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (8).
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.