MYRModel Year Report

2001 Saab 9-5

○ Not enough data
2001 Saab 9-5
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:02.403Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
82
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

77% of complaints

Complaints per year

1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 118 complaints 2000: 102 complaints 2001: 82 complaints 2001 82 2002: 65 complaints 2003: 49 complaints 2004: 19 complaints 2004 2005: 11 complaints 2006: 23 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 20 complaints 2008 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 2 complaints 2010 2011: 9 complaints
1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 118 complaints 1999 2000: 102 complaints 2000 2001: 82 complaints 2001 82 2002: 65 complaints 2002 2003: 49 complaints 2003 2004: 19 complaints 2004 2005: 11 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2007 2008: 20 complaints 2008 2009: 2 complaints 2009 2010: 2 complaints 2010 2011: 9 complaints 2011
1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 118 complaints 1999 2000: 102 complaints 2000 2001: 82 complaints 2001 82 2002: 65 complaints 2002 2003: 49 complaints 2003 2004: 19 complaints 2004 2005: 11 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2007 2008: 20 complaints 2008 2009: 2 complaints 2009 2010: 2 complaints 2010 2011: 9 complaints 2011

2001: 82 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19981
1999118
2000102
200182
200265
200349
200419
200511
200623
200717
200820
20092
20102
20119

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

77% · 63 reports

Most commonly citing module and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Exiting the highway on an overpass bridge the engine stopped without warning and would not restart. A few moments later smoke was visible from under the direct ignition cover and small flame was apparent. The flame went out after a few moments.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-06-10

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-5. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was eventually able to restart.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-09-25

My 2001 Saab 9-5 has been experiencing a check engine light for awhile on and off. The vehicle will sometimes stall randomly and not start until engine cools down. The codes for cel lead to direct ignition.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-06-12

Engine and engine cooling

22% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing engine and catalytic convertor.

Show complaint excerpts

White smoke exits the exhaust after the car has been driven for a period of time and sits, and is started again. Saab customer service first told me a TSB would be issued concerning the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-08-28

Fuel system, gasoline

17% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and fuel pump.

Wheels

6% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing rim and lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.

Service brakes

4% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2001-07-30Air bags01V168000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2003-03-31Wheels03V006000 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…

    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 dealer.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2005-04-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-09-23 Engine stall/ engine compartment fires
  4. R
    2006-03-13Electrical system05V399000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2007-06-13Fuel system, gasoline07V087000 On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.

    Remedy: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on June 13, 2007. This is an expansion…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Saab 9-5 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 63 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01V168000 · Air bags
  • Recall 03V006000 · Wheels
  • Recall 05V399000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 07V087000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2001 Saab 9-5 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Saab 9-5?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 77% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Saab 9-5 have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-08-10 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.