2003 Saab 9-5 Complaint Log

I HAD TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. IT SMELLED LIKE FUEL IN MY CAR.

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.

AFTER DRIVING MY CAR TO MY DESTINATION, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK BUT THE CAR WON'T STAY IN PARK. THE CAR POPS OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE, THEN IT WON'T START WHEN I GET BACK INTO MY CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES SEIZED AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 06V410000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH DOWN A FOUR LANE ROAD WHEN THE CAR STALLED LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER AT THE ACCELERATOR. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD TO DEPRESS. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROAD WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BLOCKING THE ENTRANCE/EXIT OF A GAS STATION. I WAS LESS THEN 200 FEET FROM WHERE I WAS TURNING ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP OF A HIGHWAY. THE GAS STATION ATTENDANT WAS VERY UPSET TELLING ME I CAN NOT LEAVE MY CAR THERE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICE STATION FOR OVER 2 WEEKS NOW. THE TECHNICIAN IS UNABLE TO FIND THE REASON THE CAR STALLED. HOWEVER HE EXPLAINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL PUMP RELAY ARE OPERATIONAL. HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY GETTING TO THE FUEL PUMP. HE HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF CHECKING ALL SENSORS AND RELAYS. DURING MY OWN RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THESE CARS HAVE FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WITH MANY RECALLS ON THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (DIC). AT THIS POINT, WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND RELY ON THIS AUTOMOBILE ON A DAILY BASIS. IN FACT, I HAD JUST DROPPED MY DAUGHTER (9 YEARS OLD) OFF AT DANCING SCHOOL. I WAS JUST ON THE HIGHWAY 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT DANCING SCHOOL. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN WITHOUT CAUSE AND WARNING. WOULD YOU PLEASE FORWARD ME ANY INFORMATION VIA E-MAIL OR REGULAR MAIL THAT WOULD HELP ASSURE ME THIS PROBLEM WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. IF YOU KNOW THIS CAR IS PROBLEMATIC THEN PLEASE INFORM ME TO SELL THE CAR SO I CAN GET A MORE RELIABLE CAR THAT WILL PREVENT THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5 EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES HKH405, SIZE 225-45-17. THE DOT AND SERIAL NUMBERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FRONT TIRES TREAD WAS WORN PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 UPDATED 08-24-12 *BF

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. THE KNOWN RECALLS MUST BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE PARTS, NOT JUST 'YEAR' OR 'SPECIFIC VIN'. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE, RELIABLE CAR BUT INSTEAD IS CAUSING SERIOUS FINANCIAL ISSUES. PLEASE HELP THE OWNERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS.. WE ALREADY PAID FOR THEIR 'BAILOUT'! SINCERELY~ CAN NOT TAKE ANY MORE REPAIRS!!! *TT

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF AND CAR HAD MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHEN TRYING TO START ONE DAY. I CHECKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS, WHICH STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL, IGNITION ISSUES. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A REPAIR SHOP TO CHECK ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE IS A RECALL 06V410000, OCT 26 2006 FOR THIS VERY ISSUE BUT FOR 6 CYLINDER, AND MINE IS A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE IGN CASSETTE. THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, $582.45 AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY SAAB. MY CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT! *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR WHEN DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT.I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AND THERE WAS A GAS STATION RIGHT NEAR BY. IT DID NOT START UP NORMALLY AND WAS VERY SLUGGISH. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT FORTUNATELY NOT HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IN THE RIGHT LANE. IT WAS VERY SCARY. THEY TOWED MY SAAB TO A SAAB DEALER FOR ME WHO HAD TO INSTALL A NEW IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 4-5 YEARS AGO ON MY SAAB 2003 9-5 STATION WAGON WHICH WAS BUILT BY GM. I BELIEVE IT WAS BUILT ON THE SAME PLATFORM OF ONE OF THE CADILLACS THAT IS UNDER RECALL. *TR

2003 SAAB / 9-5 -- 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINE -- MILEAGE: 80,956 -- MANUFACTURER: SAAB CARS USA, INC. --MY SAAB SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING HAD A LOSS OF POWER, ROUGH OPERATION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SMOKE. THE SUDDEN STOP ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND OUT THIS IS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION MODULE. I HAVE REPLACED THE PART AND WITH LABOR THE COST WAS $441. MY RESEARCH HAS UNCOVERED A RECALL IN VIN NUMBERS UP TO 7727. MY VIN NUMBER ENDS LESS THAN 1000 LATER. THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY AS IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL. (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05017) I HAVE RETAINED THE PART AND THE SHOP VERIFIED THAT IT IS THE ORIGINAL PART. I BELIEVE THAT THIS AND THE OTHER OF THE TWO PARTS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. SAAB HAS DECLINED AND SUGGESTED MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO CONTACT HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5 EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN N5000 TIRES (N/A). WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, HE WAS INFORMED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BOTH HAD VERY LARGE CRACKS ALONG THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 96,900.

WITHOUT WARNING, ON TWO OCCASIONS, MY WIFE'S 2003 SAAB 9-5 AERO WAGON HAS STOPPING RUNNING WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR HAS BEEN FACTORY MAINTAINED AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. OBVIOUSLY, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE STOP RUNNING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR INSTALLED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT 6 WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE, WHICH CONTROLS THE SPARKS PLUGS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION AT THE COST OF $500; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED. HE WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE SAAB MANUFACTURER AND REPORT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

WHILE TRYING TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND SOME VERY CONCERNING UNEVEN WEAR IN THE INSIDE EDGE OF ONE OF THE TIRES. AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MY CAR MODEL. IF THE WEAR IS LEFT UNCHECKED CAN BE A HAZARD FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD, FORTUNATELY IT WAS CAUGHT ON TIME, BUT THE FACT THAT THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO REAL FIX AVAILABLE MAKES ME WANT TO REPORT IT. THE CAR IS A 2003 SAAB 9-5 AERO, BUT THE DEFECT AFFECTS ALL TRIMS AND YEARS OF THIS MODEL CAR. *TR

IGN CASSETTES FAILED (CAR WOULDN'T START, TOWED, VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR). A MECHANIC SAID THE IGN CASSETTES ON MY SAAB MODEL WERE NOT UNDER RECALL (BUT MAYBE SHOULD BE). *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. FAULT CODE DETERMINED DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE COULD FAIL ANY TIME. REPLACED IGNITION CASSETTE AND SPARK PLUGS.*CW

BOTH DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTES FAILED ON MY 2003 SAAB 9-5 3.0L V6. GM RECALLED THE CASSETTES ON THE 2000-2002 MODEL YEARS. *TR

MY 2003 9-5 LINEAR IS HAVING MANY OF THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED BY OTHERS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RECENTLY AND I HAD THE CODES READ. THE CODES REPRESENTED A MISFIRE PROBLEM. WHEN DOING RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT IT IS MOST USUALLY THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE, FAILURE AT 80000 MILES? SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY (ONE TIME), FORCING ME TO WEAVE THROUGH TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER TO GET TO THE SIDE. THE CAR RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STOPPING. NOW THE CAR SEEMS TO BUCK WHEN DRIVING AND AT IDLE, WHICH IS ALSO REPRESENTATIVE OF A DIM FAILURE. I WILL BE BRINGING IT TO THE SHOP TO GET REPAIRED UNDER MY AFTERMARKET WARRANTY, BUT I FEEL THAT SAAB SHOULD BE PAYING SINCE THE FAILURE IS THE SAME AS THE 2000-2002 MODEL YEAR RECALL. *TR

FAILURE OF 2003 SAAB 95 DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. *TR

MY 2003 SAAB 9-5 ARC V6 3.0TURBO HAS BEGUN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION. IT FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START. IT TURNS OVER BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT COMPLETELY FIRE. IN ADDITION, ONCE IT DOES START IT WILL OFTEN STALL OUT. THIS GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE OR WHEN AT A STOPLIGHT/STOP SIGN. ONCE THE CAR STALLS IT DOES NOT JUST RESTART. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE ALL NEW AND NO LINES ARE BROKEN/DAMAGED. I HAVE EXAMINED RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND RECALL05087/15021B DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM AND MY MODEL OF CAR IS LISTED YET I AM TOLD THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN NUMBER. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR A FEW MONTHS. I AM LISTING THE INCIDENT DATE AS TODAY'S DATE. *TR

CAR RUNS PERFECTLY AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WILL RANDOMLY STALL. IF YOU CAN MANAGE TO NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THE CAR WILL START RIGHT BACK UP AFTER YOU TURN OFF THE KEY AND RESTART. SOMETIMES EVERY COUPLE OF MILES, AND CAN GO SEVERAL MILES WITHOUT THE STALL. SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN AT CONSTANT SPEEDS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. DIAGNOSTIC CODES ARE P1230 AND P1261, BUT I THINK THESE ARE RESULTS OF THE SUDDEN STALL, AND NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED 03/10/09. *LJ

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON- MY MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A RECALL (WHICH I VERIFIED ON YOUR SITE), YET WHEN I TOOK IT TO SAAB (AND CALLED), THEY SAID MY PARTICULAR VIN # WAS NOT COVERED. AMAZING COINCIDENCE THAT THE EXACT PART THAT WAS RECALLED GOT REPLACED??!! PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT I CAN/SHOULD DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR

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. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX IT AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.*TR

THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ON MY 2003 9-5 WAGON HAS BEEN COMING ON PERIODICALLY FOR THE LAST YEAR. WE HAD IT SERVICED BY AN INDY AND TWO ERROR CODES CAME UP, P1312 AND P1334, BOTH HAVING TO DO WITH THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. WE JUST HAD THE PART REPLACED. ONLY ONCE DID THE CAR "DIE" WHILE DRIVING AND LUCKILY IT WAS AT LOW SPEED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO RESTART. THE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON THE ORIGINAL PART IS 9197559 (TK3.6). MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 2002. CONSIDER EXPANDING THE RECALL IN PLACE FOR 2000-2002 MODEL YEARS (NHTSA #05V399000) TO INCLUDE 2003 VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY THOSE BUILT IN 2002. *TR

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND I HAD A MECHANIC CHECKED AND THE DI CASSETTE WAS FAILING, AND CAUSING ENGINE MISFIRE. MY SAAB 9-5 IS YEAR 2003 MODEL AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 70K MILES. FROM WHAT I READ ONLINE, THE PART DOES HAVE A LIMITED AND LESS THAN REASONABLE LIFE. IT WAS RECALLED FOR MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002. *TR

I HAVE BEEN GETTING CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE CODES THAT RELATE TO THE DI CASSETTE. THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE RECALL THAT SAAB HAS INITIALLY CONDUCTED FOR 2000-2002 MODEL 4 CYL CARS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 2003, AS I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DI CASSETTE AS SAAB HAS EXPRESSED HAPPENING IN THE 2002 MODELS. I WISH TO HAVE MY DI CASSETTE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE AND TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PRE EXISTING RECALL FOR 2002 DRIVERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5. ON JULY 6, 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V087000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED IN SPAIN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT IS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE CONTACT WITH A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE IN SPANISH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,063 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE - EXITED ONTO AN INTERCHANGE RAMP AT 50 MPH - AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE AT REAR NEARLY REAR-ENDED MINE - BUT MISSED BY A HAIRS WHISKER. ANOTHER PIECE OF LUCK WAS THAT I WAS AT THE CREST OF THE RAMP SO MANAGED TO "COAST" TOWARDS THE SHOULDER. WAITED FOR A BIT - THE CAR WOULDN'T RESTART. HAD TO SPEND PERILOUS TIME ON THE LEFT SHOULDER BEFORE GETTING MY CAR TOWED. AT THE TIME OF WRITING - THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE DEALERS LOT. NOTHING SPECIAL HAPPENED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. PREVIOUSLY A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED JUST OUTSIDE MY RESIDENCE - AND THE DEALER CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID IT MIGHT JUST BE "BAD GAS". SAAB'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS USELESS. BASED ON THE OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED - REFER TO ODI #S: 10162804, 10137685, 10097342 - THERE IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE.*JB

PURCHASED A "CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED" 2003 SAAB 9.5 AERO IN LATE AUGUST 2006 BEGAN HEARING HORRIBLE (AND WORSENING) GRINDING NOISE SOON AFTER PURCHASE. WE WERE THINKING IT WAS THE BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED...TOOK IT TO A WELL RESPECTED NATIONAL BRAKE SHOP WHO TOLD US WE NEEDED NEW RIGHT SIDE WHEEL BEARING AND THE COST WOULD BE OVER $700.00 THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 60000 MILE ON IT AND I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH TO FIND THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL THINK IT IS A DEFECT THAT COULD PROVE FATAL IF NOT ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V087000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

2003 SAAB 9-5 AERO TRANSMISSION LEAKING DIRECTLY THROUGH PORES IN METAL CASING (NOT SEAM OR GASKET) AT LESS THAN 51000 MILES (LESS THAN 1000 MILES OVER WARRANTY) REQUIRING FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. SAAB USA OFFERS TO PAY ONE THIRD ($1700) OF $5100 ESTIMATED COST. ALTHOUGH CAR HAD BEEN IN A WRECK WHEN IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD, THIS COULD NOT BE RELATED. ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER AT OR BEFORE THE PRESCRIBED MILEAGE WAS REACHED.*JB

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND I HAD TO QUICKLY COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO SAAB DEALER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A FAULT IN DI CASSETTE. *NM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 2003 SAAB 9-5 AERO DIAGNOSED AS FAILING IGNITION CASSETTE WHICH IS THE SAME FAULTY PART FOR RECALL ON THE 2000-2002 CARS ONLY. A COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO TOTALLY SHUTDOWN. THIS PART WAS REPLACED AT MY COST, BUT THE ORIGINAL PART NUMBER WAS INSTALLED VS. THE NEWER UPGRADED VERSION TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES. RE: CAMPAIGN ID# 05V399000. SHOULDN'T THE FAULTY "ORIGINAL" PART BE PULLED FROM DEALER STOCK AND WHY HAS THE 2003 MODEL YEAR AND OTHER YEARS BEEN EXCLUDED SINCE THE FAULTY PART IS EXACTLY THE SAME? *NM

THE FRONT SEATBELTS FRAY NEAR WHERE THE BUCKLE SECURES THE BELT WHEN IN USE. THE SEATBELT WAS REPLACED WITH OEM PARTS FOR THIS REASON. THE NEW BELT HAS FRAYED AGAIN OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. OTHERS REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS, PERHAPS DUE TO SOMETHING ROUGH ABRADING THE BELT SOMEWHERE ALONG THE BELT PATH. *TR

2003 9-5 AERO SPORT SUSPENSION FAILED RESULTING IN TIRE BLOW OUTS AND EXCESSIVE WEAR TO FRONT AND REAR TIRES. CONSUMER HAD SHOCKS AND SPRINGS REPLACED. *TS *NM

THE HORN OFTEN FAILS TO WORK WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED AIRBAG COVER IS PRESSED. THIS IS AN ONGOING, UNRESOLVED PROBLEM. A DEALER REPLACED A PART UNDER WARRANTY BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER 2002+ 9-5S WITH THE SAME HORN FAILURE ISSUE. *TR

SAAB INFORMATION DISPLAY PIXEL FAILURE. THE PIXELS ON THE INFORMATION DISPLAY HAVE BEEN FAILING, AND NOW ARE TO THE POINT WHERE ALMOST UNUSABLE DISPLAY. SAAB SERVICE SAID IT IS A COMMON ISSUE, BUT SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS PASSED, WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW DISPLAY UNIT(APPROX. $500) SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE EVEN SITES SET-UP TO SEND UNIT IN FOR REPAIR.(EX. WWW.SIDREPAIR.COM) *JB

CAR STALLED WHILE CRUISING AT 75 MILES PER HOUR ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. CAR COULD NOT BE RESTARTED, EVEN AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO PRIOR INDICATION OF IMMINENT FAILURE WAS GIVEN'THE ENGINE SIMPLY CUT OUT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS THE FAILURE OF AS A BAD THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS A KNOWN WEAKNESS IN THE CAR FOR WHICH SAAB HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR YEARS. THE SERVICING DEALER WAS SURPRISED THAT THE PART WAS NOT IN STOCK SINCE IT FAILS OFTEN. MANY PEOPLE HAVE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS WHICH TRIGGER LIMP HOME MODE AND REQUIRE A CLEANING AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY. REPORTEDLY NEWER SOFTWARE TRIGGERS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE. THIS EARLY WARNING WAS NOT GIVEN THIS CASE. IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT THIS SHOULD STILL BE AN ISSUE ON A 2003 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST SHOWED ITSELF IN 1998. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE IN A REAR END COLLISION BEFORE SAAB OR THE NHTSA WILL ACT ON THIS? *NM

THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE LOADED ANYWHERE NEAR IS GVWR AND MAINTAIN ITS ORIGINAL RIDE HEIGHT (OR ANYTHING CLOSE TO THE UNLOADED RIDE HEIGHT) AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN LOADED THE CAMBER SHIFTS (DUE TO THE REAR SUSPENSION TYPE) VERY NEGATIVE CAUSING POOR HANDLING AND EXTREME TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE REAR WHEELS. I HAD A BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *NM

SOME OR ALL SAAB 9-5'S WERE MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE SUBFRAMES. THESE SUBFRAMES FATIGUE AND DEFORM RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURES, UNSAFE HANDLING, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, AND/OR OTHER POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEMS. I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, EXCESSIVE TIRE NOISE, AND UNSETTLED VEHICLE DYNAMICS FOR OVER 6 MONTHS WHILE SAAB FOUGHT NOT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ONLINE BULLETIN BOARDS SUCH AS WWW.SAABNET.COM INDICATE THAT NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF 9-5 SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 1999-PRESENT HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS, ALMOST ALWAYS RELATED TO USING THE VEHICLE AT OR NEAR ITS GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY OVERSTATED BY SAAB. THE 9-5'S SUSPENSION CANNOT WITHSTAND A FULLY OR NEAR FULLY LOADED VEHICLE FOR ANY SIGNIFICANT LENGTH OF TIME AND/OR MILEAGE. *NM

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION DUE TO SUDDEN WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGES OF BOTH REAR TIRES. NEGATIVE CAMBER ON REAR WHEELS LEADS TO CUPPING AND WEAR ALONG THE INSIDE EDGE OF BOTH BACK WHEELS. WITH CAR FULLY LOADED, TREAD CAN SEPARATE AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES. AT THE VERY LEAST THE TIRES MUST BE REPLACED AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES TO AVOID SUDDEN TREAD SEPARATIONS AND LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. *NM

THE VEHICLES GVWR IS OVERSTATED. THIS IS BASED UPON MY OWN AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS OF PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WHEN USING THE VEHICLE NEAR THE STATED GVWR. I PERSONALLY HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT ON ME AND HAVE HAD PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE TIRES AND/OR THE VEHICLE AND/OR THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS TO DATE NOT BE ABLE TO FIX MY VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE REPLACING THE ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE SQUATS DANGEROUSLY WHEN LOADED RESULTING IN UNSAFE HANDLING. *JB

THE CAR SUFFERS FROM VIBRATIONS WHEN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ARE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT PROCESS REQUIRES MANY REBALANCING AND/OR TIRE REPLACEMENTS AND STILL RESULTS IN MORE VIBRATION THAN EXISTS WITH THE FACTORY TIRES. THE VIBRATION IS MOST PRONOUNCED AT SPEEDS AROUND 70-80 MILES PER HOUR.

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR END THE CONSUMER. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS HIT MY OTHER VEHICLE'S FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES. BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *NM NEITHER THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS NOR THE HEAD RESTRAINT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NM

THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FROM VARIOUS SPEEDS OF 25 MPH OR MORE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER HAS CLEANED AND TIGHTENED THE BATTERY CABLES, THE FIRST TIME, THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR, T-7 AND THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE SECOND TIME AND THE THIRD TIME, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB THE ECM WAS REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, THE CUP HOLDER CRACK AND HAD BROKEN, THE BATTERY CABLES WERE LOOSE AND DIRTY, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND CAUSED A JERKING MOTION, THE ELECTRICAL GAUGES DROPPED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. *SC

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. *NLM. *AK

WE PURCHASED OUR 2003 9-5 ARC IN MARCH OF 2003. IMMEDIATELY, I NOTICED THE EXHAUST SMELLED OF HUMAN GAS, SERIOUSLY. SOON AFTER THE STENCH SEEPED INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. AT 7000 I COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE AND I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO HAVE CHECKED OUT BY THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, THAT SOMETIMES NEW CARS SMELL. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT I USE ONLY PREMIUM OR BETTER FUEL TO LESSEN THE SMELL. 3000 MILES LATER, THE CAR STUNK. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE AND INFORMED THEM THAT THE CAR STILL STUNK. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WAS REPLACED, NO CHARGE TO ME. NOW AT 14000+ MILES THE CAR STILL STINKS. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TODAY 1/12/04 AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. BASICALLY, I HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE SMELL. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR TEN MONTHS WITH NAUSEATING FUMES SEEPING INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THESE FUMES NOT ONLY UPSET MY STOMACH BUT CAUSE ME HEADACHES. I'VE BEEN WAKING UP WITH HEADACHES SINCE SPRING OF 2003. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. PLEASE RESPOND ASAP. I'M LITERALLY SICK OVER THIS SITUATION. - KIM *LA

THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF SULFUR FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB *TS