2004 Saab 9-5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: July 7, 2024 · Filed: May 10, 2025

I purchased my 2004 Saab 9-5 in 2023. I was under the impression that everything was running and that drivability was proper. When I attempted to drive the automobile it would start, idle 7 minutes and stall. It would not start again for about 35 minutes. I tried to use it, and this behavior continued. Often, in traffic it would stall while I was moving at low speed, and moderate speed: Without warning, it cuts out and won't start for 40 minutes. I have spent money with my mechanic, over $1,000. I personally bought many parts: MAF sensor, fuel pump relay, fuel filter, and fuel pump. I replaced the Coolant Sensor. After all this the vehicle still stalls 5 minutes after warmup. If it drives to warm up, it stalls and won't restart for 40 minutes. After I replaced the Crankshaft Position Sensor, (CPS), it has never restarted. I bought 3, one a Bosch branded model, and It has never restarted. Many other drivers complain in forums, like Saab Forums, that they are experiencing the same problems. As you know, stalling at highway speeds can cause death. Clearly the problems with the Saab motorcars, produced, owned, and sold through General Motors, are something that poses a hazard, and should be repaired at GM dealership's expense. P.S. The vehicle's immobilizer device has caused my vehicle to not start at all. The key fobs have stopped functioning at all. I replaced the batteries, and they won't connect to the engine. The vehicle will crank, but no start. Battery runs down, with crank, but no start behavior. Can General Motors either: 1. replace the entire engine, 2. repair the "stall, no restart" situation, 3. moreover repair my seeming to be, "anti-theft system, no start" situation, called DICE/TWICEsystem, 4. achieving an actual fix for these older, but cherished sporting cars? Please check these links for confirming information: saabforums.com/forum/saab9-5-12/engine-turns-over--but-wont-start-9066/ www.saabcentral.com/threads/cranks-but-wont-start.689898/

Incident: July 26, 2022 · Filed: August 5, 2022

7/26/22 10:23pm on interstate 25 North of Denver mile 249 I was not able to stop and rear ended another vehicle. My air bags did not deploy there were no dash lights indicating any problem with the airbags prior to the accident. My vehicle was not drivable and was towed to H&R Towing in Johnstown, CO. The only inspection so far has been by an Amica Insurance adjuster. My set belt pretensioner held me fast but the crown of my head went forward into the visor area I was dazed. I went by ambulance to MCR hospital in Loveland diagnosed with a concussion. I had other bruises from the seatbelt and hitting my left knee on the dash. The damage to my car begins at the driver’s side headlamp area and radiates across the font of the car to the headlights on the passenger side. The hood was folded back and there is significant damage to all the components in the front part of the engine compartment. I’ve tried to contact Saab cars but no response, they stopped building cars in 2011. I tried GM as well, no response.

Incident: March 18, 2011 · Filed: July 3, 2014

I HAVE OWNED A 2004 SAAB 9-5 SPORT COMBI WAGON SINCE 2006. TWICE, OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS (2011, 2014), MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD AN IGNITION SWITCH INCIDENT WHERE HE WAS THE DRIVER AND I WAS THE PASSENGER. IN BOTH INCIDENTS, I TURNED AROUND TO TALK TO MY DAUGHTER (2011) AND THEN DAUGHTERS (2014) AND INADVERTENTLY BUMPED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WITH MY KNEE. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE CAR BY THE CONSOLE. IT ONLY TOOK A SLIGHT TAP OF MY KNEE AND MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE GOING AT SPEEDS OF 75-80 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND GET THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR

Incident: May 11, 2010 · Filed: May 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SABB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 10/23/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE AND NO AUTOMATIC WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON FREQUENTLY. UPDATED 8/10/2015*JS

Incident: March 14, 2014 · Filed: March 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, FUEL PUMP, AND THE TWICE UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,108.

Incident: March 1, 2007 · Filed: March 6, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WITH HER PURSE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE WATER BOTTLE THAT WAS IN HER PURSE TOPPLED OVER AND STRUCK THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR

Incident: March 27, 2013 · Filed: April 10, 2013

KUMHO ECSTA LX PLATINUM 225/45ZR17 TIRE ON LEFT FRONT OF SAAB 9-5 WITH APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES USE BLEW OUT SUDDENLY (RAPID LOSS OF AIR) AND WITHOUT WARNING AT 35 MPH. APPEARS TO HAVE SEVERAL CRACKS IN SIDEWALL NEAR TREAD. PRIOR TO BLOWOUT, SLIGHT LEFT PULL IN CAR STEERING WAS NOTED DURING INTERSTATE DRIVING, BUT ASSUMED TO BE ALIGNMENT ISSUE SINCE ALL TIRES MAINTAINED NORMAL PRESSURE. TIRE WAS REPLACED; DEALER DETERMINED TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE (POSSIBLE INTERNAL BELT SLIP). FAILED TIRE IS AVAILABLE FROM OWNER. *TR

Incident: August 26, 2011 · Filed: August 26, 2011

A RECALL WAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR SAAB DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURES FOR MODEL YEARS 2000 THROUGH 2002. MY 2004 SAAB 9-5 ARC, WHICH HAS 46,180 MILES ON IT, HAD TO HAVE THE DI CASSETTE REPLACED TODAY DUE TO FAILURE. MY MODEL YEAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL DUE TO THE LIMITED (LESS THAN REASONABLE) LIFE OF THE PART. *TT

Incident: November 22, 2009 · Filed: September 15, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WOULD TURN OFF COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MOST LIKELY THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/10/11*JB UPDATED 3/31/14*CN

Incident: December 20, 2009 · Filed: January 17, 2010

2004 SAAB 95 LINEAR WAGON LIFTGATE HINGE FAILURE HINGE MAY OR MAY NOT HOLD THE LIFTGATE AT THE OPEN POSITION. IF ONE IS REACHING DEEP INTO THE TRUNK, LIFTGATE CAN CLOSE BY ITSELF, AND HIT ON THE BACK WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE. *TR