2000 Saab 9-5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden engine shutdowns traced to the ignition cassette (direct ignition module), many reporting the car stalled at speed with little or no warning and that the VIN was not included in the related ignition-module recall. A second recurring theme is the ABS control unit failing, which owners say triggers a cluster of dashboard warnings and shuts off the speedometer, odometer, ABS and traction control.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition cassette (DIC/IDM) failure and engine stalling

   • 51 complaints (43%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2011

   Complaints describe the engine misfiring, running rough, losing power, or stopping altogether while driving, sometimes with a burning electrical or electronics smell. Owners say the ignition cassette (also called the direct ignition cassette or ignition discharge module) was diagnosed and replaced, in some cases repeatedly, and some report the catalytic converter was replaced afterwards. Several owners state the vehicle showed the same symptoms as campaign 05V399000 but were told their VIN was not covered. Reported from roughly 20,000 to over 190,000 miles, most commonly between about 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

   Recall 05V3990001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition cassette has been replaced and when, and request the VIN be checked against campaign 05V399000. A scan tool check for misfire codes and a smell test around the cassette area after a drive can help.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Direct ignition cassettes failed on my Saab, year 2000 95 wagon while driving in sarasota. Fortunately, I was able to coast onto a side road to park the car and then (unfortunately) walk 3 miles home. I had a $50 tow charge along with the bill to replace the dic, plus I lost the use of my car from monday until friday.”

   NHTSA complaint #10152665, filed 2006-03, 71,193 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10182326, filed 2007-02, 95,600 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS control module failure with dash warning lights

   • 12 complaints (10%)
   • median 75,950 mi at 6.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,800 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2009

   Owners describe several warning lights coming on together — ABS, traction control, brake and check engine — often with the speedometer and odometer quitting. Complaints say the ABS control unit was diagnosed as failed, and that the car still drove with ABS and traction control disabled. Some owners report repair estimates in the thousands of dollars, and some found the unit rebuildable at lower cost; a few describe reduced braking when the car sat facing downhill overnight. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 100,000 miles, sometimes soon after warranty ended.

   What to check: With the key on, confirm that no ABS, traction-control or brake lights stay lit and that the speedometer reads when the car rolls. Ask for any history of ABS module repair or replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving in the 2000 9-5 the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree ; ABS, tcs, brakes, etc.. Brought the vehicle to the dealer, and was advised that I needed a new ABS controller . The cost to replace it was $2,700. I asked if they could install a rebuild or an aftermarket part ,and they advised that it would cost $1,600. Still aghast, I did some internet research and found that the bosch ABS module faile d routinely, and could be repaired for approximately $150 to $250. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10194915, filed 2007-06, 98,050 miles

   “While routine driving the ABS, check engine light, brake (indicating emergency brake being engaged) and tcs off will illuminate. The speedometer will go to zero. Upon inspection at the dealer, their words, not mine. Is that your ABS control module is fried . Once this was diagnosed, we were told that the car is safe to drive, if we do not need ABS or traction control (tcs off). The part is $2800. Now upon doing some research, this is a common problem for the manufacturer of the product, bosch. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10153840, filed 2006-03, 33,437 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel line separating from the tank and fuel smell

   • 11 complaints (9%)
   • median 146,000 mi at 10.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2011

   Complaints describe a strong fuel odor and fuel leaking near the rear wheel well, with the engine stalling, after the high-pressure fuel line came off the pump fitting beneath the rear seat access plate. Owners report pushing the line back on and that the retaining clip was intact, and that the line later came out again; one owner noted the same symptoms as campaign 07V087000 but the VIN was not included. Reported between roughly 70,000 and 190,000 miles, often while driving in traffic.

   What to check: Inspect the fuel line fitting under the rear seat access plate for looseness or a fuel smell, and ask whether the VIN is covered by campaign 07V087000.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10414272, filed 2011-07, 146,000 miles

   “I was traveling north on route 93 north of boston in rush hour. Someone started flashing lights and honking at me. I pulled over (fortunately 150 feet before the breakdown lane is used as a travel lane) and smelled gas. The high-pressure fuel line had popped off the fuel tank under the access plate under the rear seat. I cleaned up the mess as much as possible, pushed the fuel line back in, let it sit for 15 minutes and then proceeded home. The white retaining clip is not broken. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10175862, filed 2006-12, 70,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the ignition cassette, ABS module and fuel line fitting, and ask for service records showing whether these parts have already been replaced. A VIN check against the ignition-module and fuel-line campaigns is worth doing before agreeing on a price.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.