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Electrical system

2000 Saab 9-5 Electrical problems

Owners have filed 53 complaints about the 2000 Saab 9-5's electrical system with NHTSA - 52% of all its complaints, most recently on September 27, 2010. They describe 0 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
53
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Electrical recalls for the 2000 Saab 9-5

Electrical system: module

05V399000103,202 vehicles affected

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.

Electrical complaints

Electrical system

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.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10357910
Electrical system

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.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10335354
Fuel systemElectrical system

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical systemNHTSA 10313165
Electrical system

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.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10276968
Engine & coolingElectrical system

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10266831
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10253886
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10240737
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10219737
Electrical systemFire

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.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10215989
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10206286
Electrical system

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.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10205319
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10204779
Electrical system

Repeated failure of saab information display (sid) module. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10196560
Electrical system

Electrical system:ignition:module failure caused overheating of the engine. The engine stalled while on the interstate highway. This could have caused an accident as lost all power steering and power brakes. Auto mobile was 2000 saab 9-5 with a v-6 reference recall notice 05v399000, saab denies this vehicle was under the recall.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10194230
Electrical system

Car lost power on interstate, noticed engine light on. Obdii scanner gave two codes, 1306 and 306, which indicated misfire cylinder 6. I removed the saab direct ignition to visually inspect cylinder 6. I notice engine oil in the vicinity ,and a cracked idm. It mated with cylinder 6 spark plug. Idm replacement resolved misfire.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10193768
Electrical system

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to pull off the road before the vehicle completely shut off. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the cause of failure was the ignition module. This failure was the same as noted in nhtsa recall # 05v399000 (electrical system:ignition:module). The manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10191947
Electrical system

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5 se. The contact stated that the vehicle often stalled while driving or will not start at all. When driving at various speeds under any condition the vehicle would stall. The vehicle would not restart after it reached the normal operating temperature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer , and found that recall # 05v399000 concerning electrical system:ignition:module may possibly been the cause of the failure. This vehiclewas not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 93,000. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10189366
Electrical system

2000 9.5 Ignition discharge cassette had failed and was forced to be replaced. *Ts 04/12/07 add to customer wants more info in the letter**cc the consumer stated he had to pay for the replacement at his expense even though there was a recall. The manufacturer refused to pay for the replacement. *Jb updated 05/08/07. The consumer states the dealer will not replace the recall item because he is only entitled to one free recall repair , but the consumer just wants to reimbursed for the defective item he has repaired. Update 05/08/07*tr

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 10173246
Electrical system

Two months ago one of the two ignition coil packs on the 2000 saab 9-5 se failed and left me stranded on the road. I had the car towed, and diagnostics indicated multiple misfires on a few cylinders controlled by one bank of two. Then, a few weeks later the throttle body failed and left me stranded again. This was replaced. Then ,last week the car indicated errors again, and I limped into the service station and discovered the second bank of ignition coils was misfiring. The 4 cylinder version of the saab ignition coils have already been recalled, and I think the 6 cylinder version should be too. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10187461
Electrical system

(1) Vehicle was purchased used from dealer with valid inspection. Car was started 5 times prior to failure, taking longer to start each time. (2) Ignition discharge module (idm)e vehicle was running and moving at roughly at 25 mph. Failure left driver stranded without a usable vehicle for several days. (3) The crank position sensor was replaced on the vehicle in an attempt to remedy the problem, to no avail.,An obd ii reader was used to diagnose the problem afterwards. A p1310 code was produced. Once the code was...

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cleared, attempting to restart the engine resulted in the p1310 code being produced again. Two idm cassettes (saab part number #9187436 ) were purchased and installed by owner to remedy the problem.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10187351
Electrical system

My direct ignition module failed right as I was exiting the freeway. The car started shaking violently and I picked up the burning smell of electronics coming from the front of my car. If it had happened moments before, I would not want to imagine what would've happened. This has been a widely reported issue and a recall has been issued for nhtsa campaign id number : 05v399000 . However, I believe that saab is skirting on their responsibilities since the v6 model uses the exact same part as the one covered under the recall. This is a very dangerous defect and should be addressed for all saabs with these part numbers. *Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10186786
Electrical system

While driving in traffic my engine suddenly stopped and would not restart. Once towed, the service center determined the failure was in a small cheap (to manufacture) hall effect sensor for crankshaft position. This failure of this little switch stopped me dead in the middle of traffic. Give the safety issue of this failure mode and the fact it is small and cheap, I would like to see a redundant sensor in the design. This redundant sensor can serve as a fail over mechanism.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10185352
Electrical system

I have a 2000 saab 9-5 se, 6 cylinder engine. While driving my car simply stopped running in the middle of traffic. Once towed to the service center it was determined that the coil pack on half of the cylinders was at fault. This was replaced. I have learned that saab has recalled the 4 cylinder coil packs but not the 6 cylinder version. Even though the 4 and 6 cylinder version are different, I would expect the manufacturing of these to be very similar. I have heard rumors from repair shops of a high failure rate of the 6 cylinder version too, as in my case.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10185347
BrakesElectrical system

Just as others have reported: dash lights came on: abs, tcs off, warning triangle and brake. Check engine light came on after intermittent problem became permanent. Speedometer and odometer ceased to operate. Researched to discover a common problem with like vehicles (saabnet.Com). Service technician confirmed that abs ecu was inoperative and needed to be replaced. Arroway saab dealer attempted to resolve issue with saab usa to replace $3500 part. I would pay labor. Saab dealer refused to guarantee replacement of...

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abs computer would fix problem. Currently working with purchasing a used until for $900. Wish I had known about the rebuild option. This is a consistent problem which is 1) expensive and 2) potentially dangerous as it affects key safety features. *Jb

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Service brakes, air · Electrical systemNHTSA 10185109
Electrical system

Ignition discharge module failed . I have a v63.0 Model of this car. 4 Cylinder and later year modes of this car are covered for this defect. However mine is not. I believe it should be as this is a clear defect in the ignition discharge module. Please contact me. *Nm

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10182326

Saab 9-5 electrical complaints by year

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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

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