NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 Saab 9-5; the most frequently affected component is fuel system, gasoline — hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Owners filed 85 complaints, most often about electrical system. Among the 7 model years of this model in the database, 2001 ranks #2 for number of recalls.
Fuel system, gasoline — Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCampaign 07V087000 · 07 Mar 2007
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Risk: Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on june 13, 2007. This is an expansion of previous recall campaigns - see 04v557 and 06v126. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Electrical system — ModuleCampaign 05V399000 · 14 Sep 2005
Problem: 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.
Risk: Overheating of the igbt occurs most often at engine start-up, but it may also occur while the engine is running. Engine stalling may occur, which could result in a crash.
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. An interim letter will be mailed to owners in october 2005, informing them of the condition. Parts are now available and owners will be notified to bring their vehicles in to the dealers to have the idm replaced by letter dated march 13, 2006. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Wheels — HubCampaign 03V006000 · 13 Jan 2003
Problem: 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 contamination is not removed, it is possible that after the tire change service, some of this contamination could flake or grind away resulting in reduced clamping force of the wheel to the hub. Over several seasons, it is possible that this reduced force could result in fractures developing in the wheel bolts due to wheel to hub movement.
Risk: These fractures would result in wheel bolt breakage, allowing the wheel to detach from the wheel hub, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be contacted by mail and asked whether they change between steel and alloy wheels. If they do engage in this practice, they will be instructed to bring their cars to an authorized dealer. The dealer will remove the wheels, clean any contamination from the wheel and wheel hub, and replace the wheels using new improved bolts with attached washers. Owner notification began march 31, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Air bagsCampaign 01V168000 · 18 May 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the air bag alert labels may not be permanently affixed as required by this standard.
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the sunvisor surface and apply a new air bag alert label on both sunvisors. Owner notification began july 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Electrical system18 · 45%
Fuel system10 · 25%
Gasoline9 · 22%
Engine and engine cooling8 · 20%
Service brakes2 · 5%
Wheels2 · 5%
Hydraulic1 · 2%
Vehicle speed control1 · 2%
When complaints were filed
20069
20079
200812
20094
20111
20131
20141
20151
20161
20241
From owner complaints
2001 saab 9-5 with engine stalling problems. Consumer states that she has had the engine shut off while driving and the fuel pump replaced twice. She feels that her vehicle is a lemon. *kb the consumer stated the engine light illuminated. The mechanic stated the brake booster was faulty which caused the engine light…
I have a 2001 saab 9-5. I have had to replace the direct ignition coil twice in my car. I recently read that this items have been recalled and i want to see if i am eligible for a refund for the work done. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saab 9-5. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, he noticed an overpowering odor of gasoline and the fuel was burning much faster than normal. After stopping the vehicle, he noticed a leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that they would have to…
Gasoline leak - i was driving with my two small children in the car (2001 saab 9-5 wagon (4-cylinder) when someone pulled up beside me to tell me that gas was pouring our of my car. I stopped the car and the remainder of the tank emptied on the ground. Once the fire chief okay'ed the car for transport, (this was…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.