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Engine & cooling

Saab 9-5 Wagon Engine problems by year

5 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Saab 9-5 Wagon's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20071000
20044000

Latest 9-5 Wagon engine complaints

2004 Saab 9-5 WagonElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel systemFire

I purchased my 2004 Saab 9-5 in 2023. I was under the impression that everything was running and that drivability was proper. When I attempted to drive the automobile it would start, idle 7 minutes and stall. It would not start again for about 35 minutes. I tried to use it, and this behavior continued. Often, in traffic it would stall while I was moving at low speed, and moderate speed: Without warning, it cuts out and won't start for 40 minutes. I have spent money with my mechanic, over $1,000. I personally...

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bought many parts: MAF sensor, fuel pump relay, fuel filter, and fuel pump. I replaced the Coolant Sensor. After all this the vehicle still stalls 5 minutes after warmup. If it drives to warm up, it stalls and won't restart for 40 minutes. After I replaced the Crankshaft Position Sensor, (CPS), it has never restarted. I bought 3, one a Bosch branded model, and It has never restarted. Many other drivers complain in forums, like Saab Forums, that they are experiencing the same problems. As you know, stalling at highway speeds can cause death. Clearly the problems with the Saab motorcars, produced, owned, and sold through General Motors, are something that poses a hazard, and should be repaired at GM dealership's expense. P.S. The vehicle's immobilizer device has caused my vehicle to not start at all. The key fobs have stopped functioning at all. I replaced the batteries, and they won't connect to the engine. The vehicle will crank, but no start. Battery runs down, with crank, but no start behavior. Can General Motors either: 1. replace the entire engine, 2. repair the "stall, no restart" situation, 3. moreover repair my seeming to be, "anti-theft system, no start" situation, called DICE/TWICEsystem, 4. achieving an actual fix for these older, but cherished sporting cars? Please check these links for confirming information: saabforums.com/forum/saab9-5-12/engine-turns-over--but-wont-start-9066/ www.saabcentral.com/threads/cranks-but-wont-start.689898/

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11660144
2004 Saab 9-5 WagonSteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I have owned a 2004 saab 9-5 sport combi wagon since 2006. Twice, over the last several years (2011, 2014), my husband and I have been on the highway and had an ignition switch incident where he was the driver and I was the passenger. In both incidents, I turned around to talk to my daughter (2011) and then daughters (2014) and inadvertently bumped the key in the ignition with my knee. The ignition switch is located in the center of the car by the console. It only took a slight tap of my knee and my car shut off while going at speeds of 75-80 mph on the highway. Fortunately, both times my husband was able to put the car into neutral and get the car off to the side of the road. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10608119
2004 Saab 9-5 WagonBrakesEngine & coolingElectrical systemLights

Purchased the car used 5/23/08 with 42,700 miles from saab dealership. Within a month the headlights worked randomly, check engine light would come on randomly. Called the dealership and was told that it wouldn't hurt anything and should it become more frequent, bring the car in. 8/18 Took the car in to dealership when the light was coming on more frequently. Headlight relay replaced, engine light was due to a direct ignition cassette failure. Saab dealership ordered the part which was on national back order, part...

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came in 10/9. Vehicle was taken in 10/6 due to steam coming from under the hood, temperature gauge never moved above the middle. Bypass valve replaced ($450 parts/labor). Vehicle has approx. 48,500 Miles and is out of manufacturer warranty and repair is not covered under dealerships limited warranty. After an internet search for information relating to the di cassette failure I found that there was a recall for 2000-2002 models for the same issue. My vehicle is a 2004 saab 9.5 Aero sedan. *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10245621
2004 Saab 9-5 WagonEngine & cooling

I own a 2004 saab 9-5 wagon, which was purchased in nov 2004. There were approximately 31,800 miles on the car at the time of this failure, which occurred in late july 2008. (Ironically, less than 2 weeks after having taken the car for routine service/oil change/tire rotation.) After having run 2 errands (i.E. Two stops & starts), I was driving to work on a relatively busy 4-lane road. Just after having come down a hill & rounding a corner, with estimated speed 35mph, the car's engine cut out, the power...

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steering went out, & the brakes seemed not to work appropriately. I was fortunate to be in the right lane, and wound up coasting to a stop in the lane of traffic, as I had so little control of the vehicle that I was not even able to move to what little shoulder was available (the vehicle finally stopped while on a bridge). The vehicle would not restart. Fortunately, traffic behind me became aware that the car had died, and no accidents occurred. Had this failure occurred even 5 or 10 seconds earlier, however, it would almost undoubtedly have caused an accident as I would have been completely unable to navigate the turn coming downhill. After having the vehicle towed to the saab dealership, it was discovered that the "crank sensor failed electrically." Fortunately, it was still under warranty & was replaced. I would not have even thought to report this had I not seen reports of similar failures in other saab models. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10237522
2007 Saab 9-5 WagonEngine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 saab 9-5. While driving 50 mph and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle stalled. The failure occurs intermittently. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause or duplicate the failure on two occasions. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved. The current and failure mileages were 5,800. Updated 09/18/07 *tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10201225

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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