Saab 9-5, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2002 Saab 9-5 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2002 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
6
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
65
Latest campaign
Apr 9, 2008

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Electrical system2Oct 26, 2006
Seats1Apr 9, 2008
Fuel system, gasoline1Mar 7, 2007
Wheels1Jan 13, 2003
Steering1Jan 4, 2002

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Apr 9, 2008Latest campaign
Apr 9, 200808V160000

Seats: front assembly head restraint

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

DetailsHide details for campaign 08V160000
What's wrong
SAAB IS RECALLING 57,389 MY 2002-2008 9-5 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING COMPLIANCE TESTING, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENTS.
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A-PILLAR TRIM WITH IMPROVED ENERGY-ABSORBING CAPABILITY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Campaign
NHTSA 08V160000 · Apr 9, 2008
Mar 7, 200707V087000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

DetailsHide details for campaign 07V087000
What's wrong
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Risk
OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
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 OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Campaign
NHTSA 07V087000 · Mar 7, 2007
Oct 26, 200606V410000

Electrical system: ignition module

OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

DetailsHide details for campaign 06V410000
What's wrong
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 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.
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.
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 JANUARY 2003. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. NOTE: THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 05V399).
Campaign
NHTSA 06V410000 · Oct 26, 2006
Sep 14, 200505V399000

Electrical system: ignition module

OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

DetailsHide details for campaign 05V399000
What's wrong
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.
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.
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 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.
Campaign
NHTSA 05V399000 · Sep 14, 2005
Jan 13, 200303V006000

Wheels: hub

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

DetailsHide details for campaign 03V006000
What's wrong
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 CONTAMINATION TO BUILD UP ON THE WHEEL HUB DURING THE STEEL WHEEL USAGE. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE CONTAMINATION IS NOT REMOVED, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AFTER THE TIRE CHANGE SERVICE, SOME OF THIS CONTAMINATION COULD FLAKE OR GRIND AWAY RESULTING IN REDUCED CLAMPING FORCE OF THE WHEEL TO THE HUB. OVER SEVERAL SEASONS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS REDUCED FORCE COULD RESULT IN FRACTURES DEVELOPING IN THE WHEEL BOLTS DUE TO WHEEL TO HUB MOVEMENT.
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 DEALER. THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE WHEELS, CLEAN ANY CONTAMINATION FROM THE WHEEL AND WHEEL HUB, AND REPLACE THE WHEELS USING NEW IMPROVED BOLTS WITH ATTACHED WASHERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Campaign
NHTSA 03V006000 · Jan 13, 2003
Jan 4, 200202V006000

Steering: linkages knuckle

THESE KNUCKLES CAN BREAK, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

DetailsHide details for campaign 02V006000
What's wrong
THE STEERING KNUCKLE CASTINGS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED DURING THE CASTING PROCESS.
Risk
THESE KNUCKLES CAN BREAK, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE FOR THE CASTING NUMBER. IF THE KNUCKLE WAS IN THE DEFECTIVE BATCH, THE STEERING KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Campaign
NHTSA 02V006000 · Jan 4, 2002
To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component65

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
65Complaints filed
2Involving a crash
5Involving a fire
2Injuries reported
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical system3351020
Engine and engine cooling1320021
Fuel system914020
Gasoline69010
Seat belts35101
Unknown or other35000
Other35010
Power train35000
Air bags23101
Vehicle speed control23000
Steering23100
Tires12000
Wheels12000
Exterior lighting12000
Structure12000

2 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

  • Engine and engine cooling

    “The engine on my 4 cylinder saab 9-5 (2002) has suddenly stopped while driving at least 4 times since owning the car, both on the highway and in slower traffic.”

    Filed 06/05/2014 · ODI 10596487
  • Electrical system

    “Ignition switch shut off while on a busy highway twice! Once in 2006 and once later another year plus once in a driveway (car purchased used in the fall of 2005).”

    Filed 04/02/2014 · ODI 10576665
  • Electrical system

    “Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saab 95. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled on a major highway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle.”

    Filed 03/12/2014 · ODI 10568730

Other Saab 9-5 model years

Other Saab models

2002 Saab 9-5 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Saab 9-5 have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2002 Saab 9-5. The most recent, 08V160000 (reported April 9, 2008), concerns seats. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2002 Saab 9-5 recalls for?

The largest group is electrical system, with 2 campaigns. Others: seats (1), fuel system, gasoline (1), wheels (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Saab 9-5?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 33 complaints out of 65 filed with NHTSA (51%). Across all complaints, owners reported 2 crashs and 5 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2002 Saab 9-5?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

Check a specific Saab by VIN

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