NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2002 Saab 9-5; the most frequently affected component is electrical system — module. Owners filed 65 complaints, most often about electrical system. Among the 7 model years of this model in the database, 2002 ranks #1 for number of recalls.
Seats — Head restraintCampaign 08V160000 · 09 Apr 2008
Problem: 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's requirements.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
Remedy: Dealers will install a-pillar trim with improved energy-absorbing capability free of charge. The recall began on november 25, 2008. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
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 06V410000 · 26 Oct 2006
Problem: 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.
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 january 2003. The recall is expected to begin during december 2005. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007. Note: this recall is an expansion of a previous campaign (please see 05v399).
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.
Steering — ArmCampaign 02V006000 · 04 Jan 2002
Problem: The steering knuckle castings on certain passenger vehicles may have been contaminated during the casting process.
Risk: These knuckles can break, resulting in possible loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering knuckle for the casting number. If the knuckle was in the defective batch, the steering knuckle will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin during january 2002. 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 system20 · 50%
Fuel system6 · 15%
Gasoline4 · 10%
Engine and engine cooling4 · 10%
Seat belts3 · 8%
Power train3 · 8%
Other2 · 5%
Air bags2 · 5%
When complaints were filed
20054
200611
200711
20082
20093
20104
20121
20131
20143
From owner complaints
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…
On 13 occasions over the last two years, starting 9/13/03, the car's engine malfunction and automatic transmission fault warning lights came on and the car was automatically put in "limp-home" mode. In limp-home mode, the engine is depowered. This has happened when driving both on the highway and in the city, creating…
Dt: the contact states there is nhtsa recall campaign 05v399000 concerning the module sensor. This consumer is experiencing the same problems as indicated in the recall, but is not included in the recall due to vin. The contact repaired the vehicle at his own expense. *ak updated 01/04/06. *jb
Dt: contact stated the inboard dashboard side information display panel garbled, and there was no legible display printing off. The dealer advised the contact this was a frequent problem, and he would have to replace it often. He had the system repaired previously ,and was experiencing the problem again. The…
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.