Total Complaints
74 filings
SAAB 9-5 · model year
74 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002SAAB9-5 carries 74 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 9-5 is electrical system with 17 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition:module (15) and electrical system:ignition (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2002 9-5. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
74 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 17 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 15 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 1 |
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.
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.
WHEELS:HUB
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF AN OWNER CHANGES THEIR WHEELS/TIRES BETWEEN SUMMER AND WINTER USING A STEEL WHEEL IN THE WINTER AND AN ALLOY WHEEL IN THE SUMMER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR RUST AND CONTAMINATION TO BUILD UP ON THE WHEEL HUB DURING THE STEEL WHEEL USAGE. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE CONTAMINATI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
SAAB IS RECALLING 57,389 MY 2002-2008 9-5 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING COMPLIANCE TESTING, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
THE STEERING KNUCKLE CASTINGS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED DURING THE CASTING PROCESS.
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. IN SUMMARY, DUE TO THE CAR SHUTTING OFF, I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE AND THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECENT GMC RECALL. AND
Mileage: 53,200
IGNITION SWITCH SHUT OFF WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY TWICE! ONCE IN 2006 AND ONCE LATER ANOTHER YEAR PLUS ONCE IN A DRIVEWAY (CAR PURCHASED USED IN THE FALL OF 2005). THE SAAB SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND IF IT IS HIT IT SWITCHES OFF AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR, SAME AS RECALLED SWITCHES IN OTHER GM CARS. VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT I WAS LUCKY AND ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE WITHOUT A CRASH. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LOCK MECHANISM TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO REPORT IT THOUGH IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD IN A WHAT WAS AT THE TIME A GM OWNED PRODUCT. I STILL OWN THE CAR AND DRIVE IT DAILY ON THE SAME HIGHWAY, HOWEVER AM VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I WASN'T AWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE SHUT DOWN UNTIL IT HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST TIME. YOU SHOULD INCLUDE SAAB IN THE RECALL OF GM PRODUCTS. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
IGNITION SWITCH SHUT OFF WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY TWICE! ONCE IN 2006 AND ONCE LATER ANOTHER YEAR PLUS ONCE IN A DRIVEWAY (CAR PURCHASED USED IN THE FALL OF 2005). THE SAAB SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND IF IT IS HIT IT SWITCHES OFF AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR, SAME AS RECALLED SWITCHES IN OTHER GM CARS. VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT I WAS LUCKY AND ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE WITHOUT A CRASH. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LOCK MECHANISM TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO REPORT IT THOUGH IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD IN A WHAT WAS AT THE TIME A GM OWNED PRODUCT. I STILL OWN THE CAR AND DRIVE IT DAILY ON THE SAME HIGHWAY, HOWEVER AM VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I WASN'T AWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE SHUT DOWN UNTIL IT HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST TIME. YOU SHOULD INCLUDE SAAB IN THE RECALL OF GM PRODUCTS. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
ON FEB 20, 2013, I WENT TO GILLYS, A LOCAL TIRE COMPANY, SOLD ME TWO TIRES AND WELDED A CRACKED RIM. ON MAR 2, 2013 THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND UPON INSPECTION AT WALMART AUTOMOTIVE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TIRE WAS ILLEGALLY PLUGGED ON INNER WALL. THE RIM HAD RECRACKED. THIS VIOLATES 49 CFR 570.10 WHEEL ASSEMBLIES. THE COMPANY THAT SOLD ME THE FAULTY TIRES WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I BELIEVED I WAS PURCHASING TWO USED TIRES WITHOUT PLUGS, BUT RECEIVED TWO TIRES WHICH SHOULD NEVER BE ON THE ROAD. ONCE I NOTIFIED THE TIRE SHOP, THE OWNER DISPUTED THE FINDINGS DESPITE TWO LETTERS FROM SEPARATE TIRE SHOPS. *TR
Mileage: 114,580
ON FEB 20, 2013, I WENT TO GILLYS, A LOCAL TIRE COMPANY, SOLD ME TWO TIRES AND WELDED A CRACKED RIM. ON MAR 2, 2013 THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND UPON INSPECTION AT WALMART AUTOMOTIVE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TIRE WAS ILLEGALLY PLUGGED ON INNER WALL. THE RIM HAD RECRACKED. THIS VIOLATES 49 CFR 570.10 WHEEL ASSEMBLIES. THE COMPANY THAT SOLD ME THE FAULTY TIRES WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I BELIEVED I WAS PURCHASING TWO USED TIRES WITHOUT PLUGS, BUT RECEIVED TWO TIRES WHICH SHOULD NEVER BE ON THE ROAD. ONCE I NOTIFIED THE TIRE SHOP, THE OWNER DISPUTED THE FINDINGS DESPITE TWO LETTERS FROM SEPARATE TIRE SHOPS. *TR
Mileage: 114,580
HELLO...I NEED TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP. I HAVE A 2002 SAAB 9-5 WHICH HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. IT DOES NOT RETRACT AND THEREFORE THE PASSENGER IS UNPROTECTED. I KNOW THAT SAAB HAS A HISTORY OF THIS BEING A PROBLEM. MY ATTEMPTS TO GET SOME HELP FROM SAAB HAVE BEEN FUTILE. IF THIS WAS A MINOR ITEM, I WOULD JUST PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $450 TO HAVE THE SEAT BELT FIXED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THAT. ISN'T THIS THE KIND OF VERY BASIC THING THAT A VEHICLE OWNER SHOULD EXPECT WHEN THEY PURCHASE A CAR? ALSO, ISN'T THIS THE VERY BASIC KIND OF THING THAT A VEHICLE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING TO ITS CUSTOMERS, AT A REASONABLE COST? I EXIST ON A VERY LIMITED INCOME (SOCIAL SECURITY) AND CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $450 TO FIX THIS. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN OTHER YEARS AND MODELS OF SAAB. CAN I ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN TRYING TO GET SAAB TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION? THANK YOU. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
HAD A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, CAR PULLED OUT GOING ACROSS INTERSECTION, HIT HEAD-ON. SLAMMED ON BRAKES NOTICING SHE WAS GOING, AND SLAMMED INTO HER CAR, HER CAR TURNED AROUND 180 DEGS. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK UP, WHICH ALLOWED ME TO GO FORWARD IN THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Mileage: 128,000
HAD A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, CAR PULLED OUT GOING ACROSS INTERSECTION, HIT HEAD-ON. SLAMMED ON BRAKES NOTICING SHE WAS GOING, AND SLAMMED INTO HER CAR, HER CAR TURNED AROUND 180 DEGS. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK UP, WHICH ALLOWED ME TO GO FORWARD IN THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Mileage: 128,000
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. JUST RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD A SPRING POPPING SOUND NEAR PASSENGER DOOR. THEN PASSENGER BELT WENT LIMP WITH PERSON IN THE SEAT. THE BELT HAD NO TENSION AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID NO RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER AS THE PART MUST BE DEFECTIVE. *TR
Mileage: 89,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-5. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION UPON RESTARTING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE YET HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V410000- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE DEALER'S ADVICE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Mileage: 103,000
CAR JUST CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ALMOST REAR ENDED TWO TIMES, AS HAPPENS WITHOUT NOTICE, TOOK TO SHOP, WAS DIAGNOSED AS IGNITION CASSETTE. WITCH WAS RECALLED, BUT STILL DEFECTIVE.
Mileage: 76,400
WE HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING RECALL 05V399000 FOR OUR 2002 SAAB 9-5 AERO. OUR IDM SERIAL NUMBER FALLS WITHIN THOSE REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED BY THE RECALL. HOWEVER, SAAB WILL NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE OUR VIN # DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THEIR RECALL. OUR IDM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. OUR SAAB WAS DELIVERED IN GERMANY (IT IS US SPEC) TO A SERVICEMEMBER STATIONED THERE. WE BOUGHT IT USED WHILE STATIONED OVER THERE. NO RECALL NOTICES WERE SENT TO US OVER THERE. WE JUST STARTED GETTING RECALL NOTICES ONCE WE SHIPPED THE CAR TO THE STATES. WE HAD TO PROVIDE OUR CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN TO SAAB. SAAB TOLD US THEY HAD NO IDEA OUR CAR EXISTED UNTIL WE GAVE THEM THE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN (WHICH SOUNDS FISHY). THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE WE MOVED BACK TO THE STATES. OUR DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS OUR IDM SERIAL NUMBER AND THE PROBLEM WITH IT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL. BUT SAAB WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM FOR REPLACING IT. *TR
WE HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING RECALL 05V399000 FOR OUR 2002 SAAB 9-5 AERO. OUR IDM SERIAL NUMBER FALLS WITHIN THOSE REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED BY THE RECALL. HOWEVER, SAAB WILL NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE OUR VIN # DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THEIR RECALL. OUR IDM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. OUR SAAB WAS DELIVERED IN GERMANY (IT IS US SPEC) TO A SERVICEMEMBER STATIONED THERE. WE BOUGHT IT USED WHILE STATIONED OVER THERE. NO RECALL NOTICES WERE SENT TO US OVER THERE. WE JUST STARTED GETTING RECALL NOTICES ONCE WE SHIPPED THE CAR TO THE STATES. WE HAD TO PROVIDE OUR CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN TO SAAB. SAAB TOLD US THEY HAD NO IDEA OUR CAR EXISTED UNTIL WE GAVE THEM THE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN (WHICH SOUNDS FISHY). THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE WE MOVED BACK TO THE STATES. OUR DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS OUR IDM SERIAL NUMBER AND THE PROBLEM WITH IT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL. BUT SAAB WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM FOR REPLACING IT. *TR
2002 SAAB 9-5 HAS HAD FAILURE OF HEADLIGHT BULBS AT A RATE OF ONE OR TWO PER YEAR FROM THE VERY FIRST YEAR I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. NO OTHER BULB HAS BURNED OUT IN THE PAST 8 YR. A LOCAL GARAGE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS RELATED TO A FAULTY FRONT ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN THE SAAB BUT THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS NOT A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. NOW I HAVE 2 HEADLIGHT BULBS BURNING OUT WITHIN ONE DAY OF EACH OTHER -- ONE HIGH BEAM, ONE REGULAR. IS THERE A RECALL OF ELECTRICAL HARNESS ON SAABS TO CORRECT FREQUENT HEADLIGHT BULB BURNOUT? SO FAR I HAVE JUST BEEN REPLACING THE BULBS AT $50/BULB AT THE RATE OF ONE OR TWO PER YEAR. *TR
Mileage: 5,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME WITH THE AIR BAGS; HOWEVER, HE FEELS THAT THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. HE ALSO BELIEVES THAT THEY MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY TIME. THE AIR BAGS ARE RUNNING THROUGH A CENTRAL RIBBON CABLE AND NOTHING ELSE CONNECTED TO THAT CABLE IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CENTRAL WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, WHICH COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE CENTRAL WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER DID NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
LOSS OF REVERSING LIGHTS, TRUNK OPENING WARNING LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WITH NO INTERNAL WARNING INDICATIONS. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CAUSE WAS THE FAILURE OF TRUNK WIRING HARNESS AT 70K MILES - 2 WIRES WERE COMPLETELY SEVERED, ALL OTHERS (6) HAD LOST INSULATION. FAILURE IS AT THE FOLDING POINT JUST PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO THE TRUNK LID. CAUSE APPEARS TO BE EXCESSIVE TIGHTNESS OF THE INTERIOR WIRES. THE RUBBER BOOT WAS ENTIRELY INTACT, SEALED TO CONNECTORS IN THE BODY AND TRUNK LID AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE INDICATION OF THE INTERNAL FAILURE. WIRES ARE SEPARATE INSIDE THE BOOT UP UNTIL THE TRUNK LID ENTRY WHERE THEY ARE WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED ONLY DURING SERVICE, NOT REPORTED BY SELF-CHECK DISPLAY WHICH ALWAYS REPORTS LIGHT BULB OUTAGES IN TEXT MESSAGES ON THE 2 LINE SAAB INFORMATION DISPLAY (SECONDARY FAILURE). PRIOR TO DISCOVERY A NUMBER OF CARS HAD ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR WHEN BACKING UP (REVERSING LIGHT FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED OR KNOWN).
Mileage: 69,500
LOSS OF REVERSING LIGHTS, TRUNK OPENING WARNING LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WITH NO INTERNAL WARNING INDICATIONS. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CAUSE WAS THE FAILURE OF TRUNK WIRING HARNESS AT 70K MILES - 2 WIRES WERE COMPLETELY SEVERED, ALL OTHERS (6) HAD LOST INSULATION. FAILURE IS AT THE FOLDING POINT JUST PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO THE TRUNK LID. CAUSE APPEARS TO BE EXCESSIVE TIGHTNESS OF THE INTERIOR WIRES. THE RUBBER BOOT WAS ENTIRELY INTACT, SEALED TO CONNECTORS IN THE BODY AND TRUNK LID AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE INDICATION OF THE INTERNAL FAILURE. WIRES ARE SEPARATE INSIDE THE BOOT UP UNTIL THE TRUNK LID ENTRY WHERE THEY ARE WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED ONLY DURING SERVICE, NOT REPORTED BY SELF-CHECK DISPLAY WHICH ALWAYS REPORTS LIGHT BULB OUTAGES IN TEXT MESSAGES ON THE 2 LINE SAAB INFORMATION DISPLAY (SECONDARY FAILURE). PRIOR TO DISCOVERY A NUMBER OF CARS HAD ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR WHEN BACKING UP (REVERSING LIGHT FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED OR KNOWN).
Mileage: 69,500
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-5 ARC. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE MISFIRED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AFTER SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FUEL TANK. THE FLAMES ENGULFED THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE TREES AND DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2007, THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL #07V087000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) WAS PERFORMED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALLED PART CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,500.
Mileage: 66,500
TRANSMISSION "CLUNK" OCCURRED WITH SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. DEALER DIAGNOSED VALVE BODY AND RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AAMCO DIAGNOSED SAME ISSUE RESULTING FROM METAL SHAVINGS BEING RELEASED FROM TORQUE CONVERTER INTO TRANSMISSION. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION INCLUDING TORQUE COVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 74,000 MILES.*JB
Mileage: 68,000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS SUMMARY: DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PRESSURE LINE FROM FUEL TANK CAME LOOSE AND STARTED LEAKING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF GAS ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND STREET. STREAM OF FUEL ON HIGHWAY ALERTED DRIVER. LOST UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF GALLONS OF GAS QUICKLY . HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR TOW TRUCK TO TAKE TO NEAREST FACILITY. I EVACUATED THE CAR DUE TO LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS UNDER VEHICLE AND STREAMS OF FUEL NEAR HOT EXHAUST PIPES. TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED FUEL LINE HAD COME LOOSE AFTER LOOKING INSIDE PORT FROM UNDER BACK SEAT. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY BREAKAGE OR OTHER ISSUES THE FIRST EVENT-- THE LINE SIMPLY CAME LOOSE AND WAS EASILY RE-ATTACHED. THE SECOND EVENT HAPPENED IN JUNE 2007 AND FUEL AGAIN WAS POURING OUT FROM THE UNDERSIDE IN A PARKING LOT. I CALLED THE SAME INDEPENDENT DEALER WHO IMMEDIATELY HAD THE CAR TOWED . THIS TIME THE REPAIR WAS DONE WITH METAL STRAPS TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER COMING APART. I THEN RECEIVED
Mileage: 77,314
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.