VehicleVerdict

2001 Saab 9-5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 141 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 12.8 times the median 9-5 year — the 2001 model ranks #2 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 51% of all reports (72 of 141), far ahead of engine at 25.

141

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other 9-5 years?

9-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 9-5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Saab 9-5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System7251%
Engine2518%
Fuel System1813%
Tires & Wheels96%
Brakes54%
Other54%
Airbags11%
Transmission11%
Lighting11%
Seat Belts11%
Speed Control11%
Body & Structure11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2001 Saab 9-5 have recalls?

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

07V087000Fuel SystemMarch 7, 2007 · 94,377 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Consequence

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.

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.

“ADD YET ANOTHER DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE TO THIS LIST OF COMPLAINTS!! DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE THE CAR QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. SMOKE AND FIRE ENSUED. WHERE IS THE RECALL??!?!?!?”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 15, 2005 · fire

“I OWN A 2001 SAAB 95 SE V6. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE NJ TPK AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND HAD A SMALL ELECTRICAL LIKE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED FROM THE NJ TURNPIKE OFF AND THEN AGAIN TO MY PLACE IN BENSALEM PA. TOTAL COST $77 + 66. FOUND OUT THAT THE DI CASSETTE BURNED OUT, COST ME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 22, 2006 · fire

“ON HIGH SPEED SIDE IMPACK (IMPACT BY 4000+ LB CAR ON PASSENGER DOOR), THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAKED. ACCORDING TO THE WRECKER SERVICE, THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP "BROKE OFF". IN ADDITION, THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE AFTER THE COLLISION.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 30, 2002 · crash

“I HAVE HAD 4 SIDEWALL FAILURES IN 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY IN THAT ALL THESE HAVE BEEN AT LOW SPEEDS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURES ARE INSTANTANOUS, WHICH WOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND MOST LIKELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 2, 2001

“ON TWO OCCASIONS OUR 2001SAAB,9.5 6 CYLINDER TRANSMISSION CASSETTE FAILED. LEAVING MY HUSBAND AND MY SELF STRANDED WITH A SMOLDERING CAR. ON OCT 19TH 05 WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE HWY IN THE NICK OF TIME, HEAVY SMOKE HAD BEGUN TO POUR OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED BUT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 5, 2008 · fire

2001 Saab 9-5 — common questions

Is the 2001 Saab 9-5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 141 complaints put the 2001 model at #2 of 21 9-5 years. It is one of the 9-5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 9-5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (72 complaints), engine (25 complaints), fuel system (18 complaints).

Does the 2001 Saab 9-5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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 2001 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.