- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2000 Saab 9-5 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 102 complaints about the 2000 Saab 9-5 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (53) and the brakes (16). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 5 fires and 1 injury. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in September 2005 for the module. For comparison, the 1999 has 117 and the 2001 has 82.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 9-5 year, for its age
#87 most complained-about 2000 vehicle
- Complaints
- 102
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2000 Saab 9-5 problems
Share of all 102 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2000 Saab 9-5 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- These fractures would result in wheel bolt breakage, allowing the wheel to detach from the wheel hub, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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102 complaints about the 2000 Saab 9-5
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.
Complaint about automobile paint.I purchased car recently and the hood and top on car is flaky and faded.The color description is gray.I am wondering if this is a problem with cars that were made in the year 2000.The hood and top would have to be painted.It doesn't look like tree sap or any foreign substance affected the paint.It looks like the paint just broke down.
Driving slowly in heavy traffic, I noticed a loss of power when I attempted to merge with freeway traffic. The gas gauge needle was dropping quicker than normal, and the gasoline fumes became apparent after cracking a window. The engine stalled for the third and last time as I exited the freeway. Upon inspection, I could see that the fuel 'line out' from the pump under the back seat had come out, forcing fuel out onto the road, just in front of my right rear wheel. I was able to push it back in as the retaining...
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clip was not broken. With air in the line, it took a while to start up and get to a nearby gas station. Double zip-ties when I got home. Called my saab guy who said there had been a recall, and I need to get their late fix bracket. It will never come out again of its own accord, and I'm thankful that I didn't have to get it towed - this time.
Driving in heavy traffic after leaving work, I noticed no loss of power until I attempted to merge with freeway traffic. Soon enough, though I did notice that the gas gauge needle was dropping quicker than normal, and the gasoline fumes became apparent after cracking the windows. The engine stalled for the third and last time just as I escaped off the freeway. Upon inspection, I could see that the fuel line out from the pump under the back seat had come out, forcing all (of that oh-so-precious) fuel out onto the...
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road, just in front of my right rear wheel. I pushed it back in (fuel tank 'roads?), As the retaining clip was not broken. Now with some air in the line, it took a while to suck enough fumes to start up and get to a nearby gas station. Smooth as silk after a dose of fuel. Double zip-ties when I got home. Called my saab guy who said there had been a recall, and I need to get their 'after fix' bracket. It will never come out again, and I'm grateful I didn't have to get towed this time.
Direct ignition cassette failure...This causes the car to sputter like the engine is going to die and burns the electrical inside of the direct ignition cassette. We had the car hooked up to the machine and tested and got a misfire code (p0325) and once the check engine was cleared it worked again for a few minutes. The car will then stop operating, the engine stays running but when you try to accelerate the car does not move, goes into limp mode. This happened to me on the freeway this morning and thankfully I...
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could coast to the side of the road. Saabservices.Com shows that a recall was issued on this make and model but the serial numbers on mine fall out of the range of the serial numbers the recall covers. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph when the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was safely driven to the side of the road and the engine was shut off. After waiting for the engine to cool, the contact dispensed oil into the reservoir. The vehicle resumed and the temperature gauge increased rapidly to the hot level reading. The engine began to overheat and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There...
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was a recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number: 05v399000 (electrical system: ignition: module) however, the dealer advised the contact that the vin was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 134,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. The contact stated while driving at approximate speeds of 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The failure occurred three times and the vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and there were no repairs made to the vehicle. The contact was able to locate a recall for the failure under nhtsa campaign id number: 05v399000 (electrical system: ignition: module) however, his vin was not included due to the year the engine was manufactured. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current was unknown.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 95. The contact was driving approximately 5 mph approaching a traffic stop light the vehicle stalled and suddenly the engine completely shut off. The vehicle restarted after waiting for a period of five minutes with the illumination of the dashboard. The dealer was notified and stated the vehicle operated properly. The failure mileage was 77,000. The current mileage was 103,000.
2000 Saab 9-5 failed ignition cassette. Saab said they will not pay for repair even though the part had been recalled. Recall # 05v399000. *Dt also the fuel pump failed. *Jb
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. There was a strong fuel odor leaking from the vehicle. The contact observed that fuel was leaking from the gas tank. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility the following day since all of the fuel leaked out of the vehicle. A mechanic advised him that recall 07v087000, fuel was related to the failure; however, his vin was not included. The vehicle was repaired at the owners expense. The manufacturer also confirmed that his vin was not a part of the recall. The current mileage was 191,535 and the failure mileage was 190,708. Updated 12/30/09. *Lj updated 12/30/09*jb
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. While driving at any speed, the vehicle suddenly stalls. The vehicle has stalled immediately after the engine was started or even before the vehicle was moved. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and the ignition module was replaced. The failure recurred six months later. The contact took the vehicle back to the shop and the ignition module was replaced once again. The failure recurred six months later. Through research, he found nhtsa campaign id number...
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05v399000 (electrical system:ignition:module); however, the manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in the recall. The contact believes that the vehicle should be repaired according to the recall since the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 85,000 and current mileage was 130,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. On nov 18, 2008, the contact was informed that the vehicle had a faulty head gasket, which was replaced at that time. Six months later, the vehicle began jerking while driving 55 mph on the highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated that the ignition cassette was causing the vehicle to jerk. The manufacturer stated that the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign id number 05v399000. The contact feels that the manufacturer should be responsible for...
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the repairs since the failures were identical to those listed in the recall. The current mileage was 125,000 and failure mileage was 115,000. Updated 05/13/09. *Lj the consumer stated when she started the vehicle, it lunged forward and then stall. Updated 05/13/09.*Jb
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 shutdown and the traction control system to shut off. *Tr
Vehicle quit on highway would not restart mechanic informed me ignition coil n/g and there was a recall from saab but the serial #on mine is not entitled. *Tr
Blinking check engine light. Happens every time I accelerate hard. The failure was in the direct ignition cassette. Causing misfire and possible damage to the cat. Dealer will not replace. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saab 9-5 (gary fisher edition). The vehicle stalled intermittently without any prior warning while driving at various speeds. The failure increased the risk of a crash and serious injury. In order to restart the vehicle he had to unplug the fuse to the ecm, re-insert it, then the vehicle resumes normal function. He has not had the vehicle repaired because the technicians cannot properly diagnose the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000 and the current mileage was 135,233.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. The contact stated that the fuel line loosened from the pump and caused fuel leakage. The dealer attributed it to the tabs holding the fuel line. The fuel pump line was completely disconnected. The engine stopped while driving approximately 35 mph. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed a puddle and fumes. The vehicle was towed. The contact experienced the same failure as described in nhtsa campaign id number 07v087000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The current and failure mileages were 68,690. Updated 04/23/08. *Lj updated *jb
I recently bought a 2000 saab 9-5 se (v-6) (less than 2 months ago) and I was driving down the road and I could not accelerate. I tried to pull her over and put some dry gas in her hoping that would fix it but it did not. I nursed her into a garage (not a saab garage) and the mechanic diagnosed it with a ignition cassette failure. I checked on your web-site and called the saab number and the guy said that the recall was outside of the normal recall. I found this very odd because it was the same part just on a different vin. I have never heard of these parts going before and it seems odd that it would go especially when the car is in great shape and has always been well maintained. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. While approaching a stop light at 10 mph, the vehicle began vibrating excessively and the engine light illuminated on the instrument control panel. Minutes later, the interior lighting dimmed, the vehicle dramatically decelerated, and a burning smell was present. The vehicle lost power, but was restarted 15 minutes later. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer and they stated that the vehicle was experiencing the same failure as stated in nhtsa campaign id number...
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05v399000 (electrical system:ignition:module). The contact would have to pay for the repair. The vehicle is currently being repaired. He filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The vin and engine size were unknown. The failure and current mileages were 59,000.
Engine misfiring would hesitate and stop other times drivable but not without concern for safety. Determined to be id module which was replaced. Saab refused reimbursement for recall stating vin not included. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5 aero. The contact noticed rust on the lug nuts on all the wheels. The dealer acknowledged the rust on the lug nuts, but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. As of october 24, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 03v006000 (wheels: cap/cover/hub). The current and failure mileages were 74,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. While driving 5 mph through ez pass toll lane, the engine light illuminated and remained lit. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and the electrical system:ignition:module was repaired; however, the dealer stated that her vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 05v399000. The current and failure mileages were 78,015. Updated 11/02/07. *Jb
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab arrow 9-5. While driving between 25-55 mph, the vehicle stalls. The failure has occurred on several occasions. On march 15, 2007, the vehicle stalled and was towed to the dealer. Nhtsa campaign id number 05v39000 (electrical system: ignition: module) did not apply to the vin. The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 109,000.
I own a 2000 saab 9-5 v6. Just recently, about a month ago, my check engine light came on in the car. When this happened the car began to hesitate and "buck". I had a car computer hooked up to my car to find out what the problem is. The code came back as a cylinder misfire on cylinder #2. I asked the auto technician what could cause that to happen. He told me to replace the spark plugs and in that did not fix the problem that I would have to replace the coil pack. So I replaced the spark plugs and the...
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problem continued. I went online to research prices of coil packs or ignition cassettes for my car. While doing so I came across the fact that this part has been recalled on many saabs. I then called the dealership to find out what should be done to find out if my vehicle was in fact one of the vehicles with a recalled part. He then looked up my vin number and told me that my car did not fall under the recall. I do not know how else to investigate if this is in fact true. If I am not under the recall, I do not understand what makes my failing car part different from the other parts that were recalled for my vehicle. *Jb
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 hood. He pulled over and exited the vehicle as it caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and the vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. The purchase date and speed were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 92,000.
Erik eagleton re odi vehicle safety owner's questionnaire rtd to him with incorrect info, request a new copy of questionnaire be rtd to him w/changes made** transferred to barbara sauers per mrs. Demeter**cc the consumer stated the window defroster and heat are not working on the drivers side. *Jb
Saab 9-5: every year compared
All 9-5 years2000 Saab 9-5 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Saab 9-5 | 102 | 3 | F | |
| 2000 Saab 9-3 | 50 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2000 Saab 95 | 17 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible | 12 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2000 Saab Aero | 4 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2000 Saab 900 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2000 Saab 9-5
Does the 2000 Saab 9-5 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2000 Saab 9-5: module (September 2005); hub (January 2003); air bags (May 2001). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Saab 9-5?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (53), brakes (16), engine & cooling (12).
How many complaints has the 2000 Saab 9-5 had?
102 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 4, 2000 and the latest on December 14, 2016. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 5 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 2000 Saab 9-5 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 9 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Saab 9-5 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Saab 9-5 years have the most complaints?
1999 (117), 2000 (102), 2001 (82). See every Saab 9-5 year compared.
What should I do if my 2000 Saab 9-5 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data