Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2000 Saab 9-5, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system53
- Service brakes, hydraulic14
- Engine and engine cooling12
- Fuel system, gasoline10
- Visibility5
- Fuel system, other2
- Air bags2
- Steering2
- Unknown or other1
- Child seat1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2000 Saab 9-5 failed the safety check 2.20% of the time — 18% more often than the average 2000 passenger car (1.86%). Median odometer at inspection: 154,172 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2000 Saab 9-5 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp), 2.3 petrol (169 kW, 227 hp) and 3.0 petrol (147 kW, 197 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 112 |
| 2.3 petrol | 169 kW 227 hp | 104 |
| 3.0 petrol | 147 kW 197 hp | 44 |
| 2.3 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 40 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
326 first registered in 2000 are on Dutch roads; 29% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €53,395.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde206
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen176
- Band onvoldoende profiel89
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt84
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld73
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)63
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse50
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm44
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
196 cars built in 2000 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 393 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 336 of these cars first registered in 2000 took their annual MOT test. 65% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2000 the figure was 61%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.9% | 17.7% |
| Brakes | 11.9% | 12.8% |
| Suspension | 11.9% | 14.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.8% | 7.7% |
| Visibility | 6.8% | 7.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
348 of these cars first registered in 2000 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 321,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
26 2000 cars are on the New Zealand register; 81% arrived as used imports, 19% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 11.3–12.3 L/100 km (about 19–21 mpg US), CO₂ 260–283 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-5 Turbo · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 13.2 | 8.9 | 11.3 |
| 9-5 Wagon Turbo · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.2 | 8.9 | 11.3 |
| 9-5 Turbo · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 9.7 | 12.0 |
| 9-5 Wagon Turbo · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 9.7 | 12.0 |
| 9-5 Turbo · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 9.8 | 12.3 |
| 9-5 Wagon Turbo · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 9.8 | 12.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2000 Saab 9-5.
| 2005271 20 Sept 2005 | Electrical Certain 2000-2002 Saab 9-3 and 9-5 model vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder gasoline engines, and 2001-2003 9-5 models equipped with 6-cylinder gasoline engines … |
| 2005179 14 Jun 2005 | Other Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210. The required markings for the child tether anchorage hooks are missing in the luggage compar… |
| 2002247 23 Dec 2002 | Suspension On certain vehicles, when changing back and forth between alloy and steel wheels (as for winter tires), rust and other contaminates may build up on the mating s… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Saab told its dealers about the 2000 Saab 9-5: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 625456 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 15402 ON REPLACING THE ONSTAR VEHICLE INTERFACE UNIT (VIU). *TT |
| 621490 | SUBJECT REGARDING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF TEST BRAKE LIGHTS MESSAGE DELETED FROM SID REPLACEMENT UNITS. *TT |
| 619554 | SUBJECT REGARDING NEW UPDATE KIT FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TT |
| 617823 | THIS BULLETIN ADDRESSES A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF ENGINE / EXHAUST NOISE FORM A COLD ENGINE OR WHEN TURNING A CORNER. *TT |
| 614917 | RECALL INFORMATION ON REPLACING ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). *TT |
| 614916 | SUBJECT REGARDING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 839: INCORRECT POSITION OF HYDRAULIC HOSE ON CARS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITHIN VIN RANGES Y3040825 - Y3054472. *TT |
| 614913 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 838: DISTURBANCES DUE TO WIRING HARNESS PROVISIONS FOR CD CHANGER . CARS AFFECTED ARE WITHIN VIN RANGES X3020001 - Y3046149. *TT |
| 610154 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE SEAT HEATER SWITCH OR SEAT FAN SWITCH WILL NOT ILLUMINATE OR DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WORKING. *TT |
| 610136 | INFORMATION ON PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION TIMES FOR 2000 MODELS. *TT |
| 610135 | INFORMATION ON SERVICE PROCEDURES AND SERVICE INTERVALS FOR SAAB MODELS. *TT |
| 610134 | 2000 MODEL CODE INFORMATION INSTITUTED BY SAAB CARS USA, INC. AS AN INTERNAL SHORT-HAND IDENTIFIER SYSTEM FOR CAR INVENTORY CONTROL, ORDERING AND TECHNICAL FOLLOW-UP. *TT |
| 610133 | SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING THE 2000 VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *TT |
| 11006621 | Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers. |
| 11004557 | This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim. |
| 11002312 | This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information. |
| 10251890 | This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up. |
| 10250775 | This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system. |
| 10248444 | Vehicle Recalls |
| 10246952 | Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules. |
| 10246951 | Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules. |
| 10245951 | Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls And Turn By Turn Inoperative In The United States. |
| 10245950 | Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls In The United States |
| 10244274 | This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement. |
| 10242262 | This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement. |
| 10235799 | This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation