14th Mar 2006, 11:11

Misery loves company. My 1999 Saab 9-5 seemed to be an awesome deal at a little over 10k with 74,000 miles from the local Saab dealer in 2004. It was off of lease and drove beautifully. My wife managed to get rear ended substantially just a couple of months after purchase, but all the doors still opened and shut perfectly and the car drove perfectly as always. Then one day at about 82,000 miles, 16 months after purchase, and still owing almost $7000 on the loan, the engine had a major catastrophic failure. I was told that the number four cylinder had blown and I needed a new engine. This would cost $4000-$5000 (salvage engine). So much for the awesome deal. I don't know the book value of this car, but I can only guess that the price of a new engine (as opposed to salvaged) would basically total this vehicle. I have been hearing rumblings that this is far from unusual with the recent Saab models. Saab customer service is completely unaccommodating. Is there any legal action pending? Is there any group organizing to leverage action from Saab/GM? Do I have any recourse other than taking out another loan to fix my Saab? Help! pmcnotpc@aol.com.

24th Mar 2006, 14:52

I was considering buying a 1999 Saab 9-5, however after reading the above comments I will be investigating other alternatives. I was told that the engine on the car I was interested in is "noisy" and that it may be the lower end bearings. Has anyone had this issue (a noisy engine)?

20th Apr 2006, 20:28

Our 2000 9-5 wagon has been in the dealership for 4months now. It constantly fails emission test for High Nox values. Although we have a loaner vehicle and the dealership is picking up the bills under warranty they are still unable to fix the problem. No one answers our calls any more and Customer service from Saab is a laugh. Has anyone had problems like this?

6th Jun 2006, 07:51

I own a 1999 Saab 9-5. The front emblem has been replaced twice. Saab Customer Service has been unresponsive. Is this a problem with other Saabs? They have lost a customer over a $5.00 decal.

13th Jun 2006, 19:44

Wow, I can't believe this. We are looking at buying a SAAB, off lease, 2004/2005 9-3 or 9-5. We've driven them and love it. After owning Hondas and never doing anything, but changing the oil, your stories sound like nightmares. Thanks for the heads up. Have you heard anyone that was satisfied with their SAAB?

30th Jun 2006, 18:29

Don't bother with buying Saab. I have a 2001 9-5 SE V6 that has had nothing, but issues. So far (in the past 1 yr) I've had to do the following:

- Replace DI Cassettes & Cat converter $2300

- Replace timing belt @60k. Its free for the first timing belt, BUT its advised to replace the tensioner and pulleys as well (cost $500)

- Windows rattle when rolled down (cost $200 for 2 windows)

- CPS failure

- headlights constantly blow out (i replace one approx every 3 months)

- Front end CV boots replacement (neither my wife or I drive the car very hard -- in fact we've never collided with anything)

- Window switches failed.

The car is a beauty to drive, we call it a stripper tho; nice to look at, nice to be around, will cost you money and yes, there's no sex in the champagne room.

I also have a Honda accord 2000 with 100,000 miles on it, never had any issues besides following the regular maintenance schedule.

28th Jul 2006, 07:21

I am sorry to hear about all the problems encountered with the Saab 95. Sounds like these are post-GM Saabs. I owned a 1985 Saab 900turbo and put over 300,000 miles on it before the odometer quit. Gave it oil changes every 3k miles. Only had to replace a water pump and a trans rebuild toward the end.

I was looking at a 2000 95 wagon, but I will have to look a little more closely.

12th Aug 2006, 00:01

I own a 1999 Saab 9-5 and close to $8,000 in repair work was done on the car, thankfully under warranty. The SID computer display was replaced three times for a faulty display. The car also underwent major engine and transmission repair. The entire exhaust system was replaced.

The car seems to run OK today, but I get periodic warning messages from an emergency light; I don't know what's wrong, the SID display has burnt-out again so the diagnostic message fails to appear. It is unsettling driving the car with the emergency light on.

Saab customer service is useless. I have written them letters and they don't reply. When I called to complain I was told that complains are to be given to the dealer. General Motors does not accept complains. The last time I visited my dealer for an oil change they cut the leather driver's seat with a sharp object.

I will never buy another General Motors product again!!!

12th Aug 2006, 05:43

I own a 2003 Saab 93 Convertible. Thus far, the car has been a delight, and the dealer service the best I've ever experienced in 34 years of car ownership.

20th Aug 2006, 00:24

My sedan, a 2000 9-5 Aero Turbo, is a money pit still happening. In the last year alone I have spent over $12,000 on everything from replacing front lights, replacing short-block, bushings, gaskets, studs and now, and now, the ABS Control Module has provided an early Christmas light show on my dash. Every warning light is displayed, off and on. Another problem with my brakes, which feel like I'm driving with them on and is occurring because of the ABS Control Module, says the dealer. The brakes started smoking because they were so tight. Anyone with this problem? Is it the ABS Control Module or the Master Cylinder (hoses) that is causing the "tight brake" problem? Anyone with similar problems or suggested remedy, please email me asap at stevensonseven@yahoo.com

S. Stevenson.

P.S. Provide name and contact info. of after market place to buy parts.

27th Aug 2006, 06:09

We live in London and have a 2003 SAAB 95 Vector 2.3t automatic Estate.

Several times in the last year the engine light came on and our car went into "limp home mode".

Th AA (car rescue) came out, disconnected and then reconnected the battery, reset the codes and the car was fine again. SAAB connected it to a computer the next day, but said that it was fine and that the limp home mode had kicked in by error.

However this fault began to occur more regularly and recently our car cut out all together on several consecutive days.

We disconnected and reconnected the battery and were able to drive home, but the car is now totally unreliable although it has only done thirty thousand miles.

The SAAB was recently serviced and was supposedly deemed to be in good order.

Typically our three year warranty has only recently run out, so we'll now have to pay for any repairs.

Since reading this bulletin board, I think we might cut our losses and sell it or trade it in; however I'm not happy selling as dodgy car privately and I imagine they will offer us a low trade in fee because of the fault.

The engine feels lumpy (as though the timing is out) when the fault kicks in.

We loved SAAB'S and had an old SAAB which done three hundred thousand miles with no problems, but I don't think I'd buy a new one again.

Have General Motors changed the way they're made?

Jay.