VehicleVerdict

2003 Saab 9-5 electrical system problems

The 2003 Saab 9-5 has 31 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 45% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

31

Electrical System complaints

45%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

9-5 electrical system complaints by model year91 complaints1999: 91 complaints2000: 67 complaints2001: 72 complaints2002: 46 complaints2003: 31 complaints2004: 14 complaints2005: 3 complaints2006: 3 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 2 complaints
9-5 electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

06V410000Electrical SystemOctober 26, 2006 · 5,078 units

Defect

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.

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 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).

What owners report

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON- MY MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A RECALL (WHICH I VERIFIED ON YOUR SITE), YET WHEN I TOOK IT TO SAAB (AND CALLED), THEY SAID MY PARTICULAR VIN # WAS NOT COVERED. AMAZING COINCIDENCE THAT THE EXACT PART THAT WAS RECALLED GOT REPLACED??!! PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 11, 2008

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2003 Saab 9-5 have?

NHTSA has 31 complaints about the 2003 Saab 9-5 electrical system — 45% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Saab 9-5 electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 06V410000.

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.