Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2000 Saab 9-5

The Verdict

73 Solid Pick

The 2000 Saab 9-5 has 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (50 complaints) and engine (23 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 73/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Saab 9-5, consider the 2009 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2009 has 98% fewer complaints

View the 2009 Saab 9-5 dashboard →

73

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

03V006000 WHEELS:HUB

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 CONTA...

Risk

THESE FRACTURES WOULD RESULT IN WHEEL BOLT BREAKAGE, ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE WHEEL HUB, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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 DEAL...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2000 Saab 9-5. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000131650230
20017142330
20029032213
200313019161
2004401050
200540331
2006221531
2007201311
2008001900
200900200
201010100
201102601

By Category

Electrical
50
Engine
23
Brakes
16
Body
13

By Severity

1
49
2
47
4
6

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

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.

116mo ago
Engine 2

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 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.

182mo ago
Engine 1

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 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.

182mo ago
Body 2

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 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

185mo ago
Electrical 2

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 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.

192mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

196mo ago
Engine 1

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.

198mo ago
Engine 1

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

199mo ago
Engine 1

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

202mo ago
Electrical 2

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 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.

207mo ago
Engine 1

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 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

209mo ago
Brakes 1

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

211mo ago
Electrical 2

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

213mo ago
Electrical 2

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

217mo ago
Engine 1

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.

218mo ago
Engine 2

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

223mo ago
Electrical 1

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

223mo ago
Electrical 4

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 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.

224mo ago
Engine 1

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

227mo ago
Body 2

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.

228mo ago

102 total

1/ 6
Report a Klunk