VehicleVerdict

2000 Saab 9-5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 140 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 12.7 times the median 9-5 year — the 2000 model ranks #3 of 21 9-5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 48% of all reports (67 of 140), far ahead of brakes at 19.

140

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other 9-5 years?

9-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted157 complaints1965: 0 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 157 complaints2000: 140 complaints2001: 141 complaints2002: 89 complaints2003: 69 complaints2004: 30 complaints2005: 15 complaints2006: 29 complaints2007: 17 complaints2008: 21 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 11 complaints
9-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 9-5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Saab 9-5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6748%
Brakes1914%
Fuel System1511%
Engine1410%
Visibility & Wipers75%
Airbags54%
Other21%
Lighting21%
Steering21%
Speed Control11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Transmission11%
Latches & Locks11%
Child Seat11%
Seat Belts11%
Seats11%

Does the 2000 Saab 9-5 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V399000Electrical SystemSeptember 14, 2005 · 103,202 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

03V006000Tires & WheelsJanuary 13, 2003 · 70,726 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

01V168000AirbagsMay 18, 2001 · 43,073 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILLED OUT A REPORT. A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO FILED ON THE SCENE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 19, 2006 · fire

“DURING DRIVING, I EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF THE ABS SYSTEM. OVER TIME IT BECAME CONSTANT. APPARENTLY, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED, AS SEEMS TO BE COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE SPEEDOMETER TO SHUT OFF, THE ODOMETER TO STOP CLOCKING MILES, THE ABS SYSTEM TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 1, 2009

“CONSUMER SAAB AERO 9-5 CLIP HOLD THE GAS TANK BROKE, SPILLING GASOLINE ALL OVER THE CAR, THE ROAD AND EXHAUST LINES. *TS [REDACTED]NAR[REDACTED] A CLIP THAT WAS HOLDING THE GAS HOSE IN PLACE BROKE, WHICH REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 2, 2006

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE WAS THE CAUSE OF HER VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 3, 2007 · fire

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DEFROSTER NO LONGER DEFROSTS THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED WHO DETERMINED THERE IS A CURRENT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 1, 2006

2000 Saab 9-5 — common questions

Is the 2000 Saab 9-5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 140 complaints put the 2000 model at #3 of 21 9-5 years. It is one of the 9-5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 9-5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (67 complaints), brakes (19 complaints), fuel system (15 complaints).

Does the 2000 Saab 9-5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Saab 9-5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Saab 9-5 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saab 9-5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 9-5 years to avoid are 1999, 2001, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2007, 2009. The cleanest record among 9-5 years belongs to 1972.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.