2001 Saab 9-5 Saab 9-5 2001

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2001 Saab 9-5 repairs by problem area

Engine (54%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (11%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (1%)

Chart based on 149 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2001 Saab 9-5.

2001 Saab 9-5 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (13%)

$500 - $999 (22%)

$100 - $499 (40%)

< $100 (24%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 123 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2001 Saab 9-5

Engine not specified

Saab 9-5 in Ontario, Canada
Feb 2011 - Apr 2011
Apr 2011

128960 mi

C $425
Replaced thermostat Replaced tie-rod ends 
Saab 9-5 in Virginia, United States
May 2010 - Jun 2011
Jul 2010

97000 mi

US $900
Replace bad balance shaft chain. Timing chain also replaced. 
Saab 9-5 in New Jersey, United States
Aug 2011 - Sep 2011
Sep 2011

139000 mi

US $117
Neutral Safety Switch failed causing intermittent but daily inability to downshift to 1st gear after coming to a stop. 
Saab 9-5 in Ohio, United States
Aug 2010 - Sep 2010
Sep 2010

53000 mi

US $600
High speed vibration continues. Cranked motor mounts didn't fix the issue. Dealer now has the car. 

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2001 Saab 9-5 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 230hp 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Saab 9-5 in Ontario, Canada
May 2010 - Dec 2017
Jul 2010

93620 mi

C $600
Replaced direct ignition module.  Replaced direct ignition module 
Aug 2010

94860 mi

C $120
Replaced headlight relay (high beam was working only intermittently) 
May 2011

103280 mi

C $1000
AC compressor needed replacing. New compressor and receiver dryer installed and system recharged.  
Sep 2012

125860 mi

C $130
Tie rod end replaced. 
Aug 2013

138880 mi

C $450
transmission fluid leak from rusty cooler line 
Feb 2014

145080 mi

C $130
A screw on the headgasket had worked itself loose over time resulting in loss of coolant. Headgasket re-torqued to manufacturer's specs. 
Aug 2014

151280 mi

C $120
Spongy brakes traced to fluid leak from rusted brake line. Rusted part was cut out and replaced with new line. No problems since then. 
May 2015

159280 mi

C $450
Replaced rusty oil cooler lines 
Apr 2016

171100 mi

C $430
replaced starter (original to the car) as it was starting to go. replaced left drive axle as boots were ripped 
Saab 9-5 in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2011 - Jan 2012
Jan 2012 Had alignment. Sold because car needed $6,000 in repairs, including $900 of front end work, $1200 for rear suspension. I had just replaced the exhaust for $950, and found out it still needed a Cat + Pipe to manifold & Manifold $1500. Also needed brake cables for $400. And O2 sensors, two for $200 each. 

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2001 Saab 9-5 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 200hp 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

Saab 9-5 in Ontario, Canada
Oct 2010 - Nov 2013
Mar 2011

124000 mi

C $100
3 front passenger side wheel hub bolts cross threaded and broken. 
May 2011

125928 mi

C $85
window motor for passenger front door repaired window motor for passenger front door repaired 
Feb 2012

138260 mi

C $445
Had the fuel pump replaced.Not the whole assembly.The pump cost $285.Could have bought one online for approximately $100 had I known. 
Jun 2012

138880 mi

C $350
Had to replace Intermediate front axle bearing and front passenger side wheel bearing for low rumble noise 
Aug 2012

139600 mi

C $330
Turbo died. Hard to find a replacement for V6 3.0t engine. Mechanic ordered turbo cartridge from the US. $1000 for turbo plus replaced serpentine belt. Within a week of new turbo, had to have tie rod bearings lubed for clicking noise when turning steering wheel 
Sep 2012

140120 mi
Replaced front, passenger side wheel bearing that was newly installed in May 2012. Repaired under waranty. 
Nov 2012

140320 mi
Replaced complete wheel bearing and assembly 
Saab 9-5 in New Hampshire, United States
Sep 2011 - Apr 2012
Oct 2011

61300 mi

US $850
Alternator Bad Replaced Battery Timing Belt 
Feb 2012

63600 mi

US $1630
No Oil On Dipstick Checked regularly. Replaced head gasket. 
Saab 9-5 in Ontario, Canada
Jul 2010 - Jul 2014
Aug 2010

120900 mi

C $250
Both front and rear 02 sensors are were generating engine codes. The front 02 sensor is new, so the rear 02 sensor was disconnected so it wouldn't confuse the front 02 sensor. O2 sensor replacement 
Sep 2011

128960 mi

C $1400
Replaced muffler 
Apr 2012

133300 mi

C $800
hole in exhaust pipe - pipe was replaced 
Jul 2014

148800 mi

C $1200
New radiator 
Saab 9-5 in Florida, United States
May 2012 - Mar 2014
Feb 2014

73600 mi

US $750
Had to replace starter motor. 
Saab 9-5 in Georgia, United States
Sep 2010 - Oct 2010
Oct 2010

125000 mi

US $2400
Blew head gasket so got rid of car. 
Saab 9-5 in Massachusetts, United States
May 2010 - Sep 2011
Mar 2011

113000 mi

US $1295
crankshaft sensor replaced. Fuel pump replaced. 
Saab 9-5 in Indiana, United States
Jul 2010 - Jan 2014
Jun 2011

124000 mi

US $650
O2 sensor bad. Replaced Replaced muffler Mechanical door that regulates heat / air conditioning temperature was no longer operating. Mechanic replaced door arm. 
Aug 2011

126300 mi

US $300
Bad O2 sensor. Seems to be a constant issue with this car.  
Saab 9-5 in Massachusetts, United States
Jun 2010 - Aug 2010
Aug 2010

160000 mi
When donated needed about $2,000 in repairs. 
Saab 9-5 in Massachusetts, United States
May 2010 - Sep 2011
Aug 2011

111000 mi

US $85
both brake lights failed, and needed replacement. this is a chronic problem, happening about once per year 

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2001 Saab 9-5 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 185hp 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Saab 9-5 in Oklahoma, United States
Jul 2011 - Feb 2013
Aug 2011

55000 mi

US $120
sump drop and clean 
Nov 2011

60000 mi

US $600
drive axle seals replaced that were leaking. 
Mar 2012

65000 mi

US $500
Dealer put the car together wrong from previous repair, causing hole to run on PS line. Didn't find this out till Indy had the car apart. 
May 2012

65700 mi
This was a refix for a seal that was supposed to be fixed in November. 
Oct 2012

70000 mi

US $1790
Had to replace both axles and overhaul the trans due to a $37 failed bushing inside trans 
Dec 2012

71000 mi

US $140
replaced brake booster 
Saab 9-5 in California, United States
Jan 2011 - Oct 2012
Dec 2011

110000 mi

US $300
Right passenger window motor died 
Jul 2012

120000 mi
Replaced three year old battery still under warranty 
Saab 9-5 in Massachusetts, United States
Feb 2012 - Jul 2018
Apr 2012

119000 mi

US $23
Oil pressure sender leak. Common for this engine 
Jul 2012

128700 mi

US $270
Replaced strut bearings. Cost for parts *would* have been $70, but for a defective part, and the need to purchase a tool to remove the self-tapping mounting screws (impact air wrench) 
Jan 2013

US $45
Common issue with these 95's is the rear taillights overheat and burn the plastic lamp socket. Replaced the left harness completely, and replaced the bulbs with LED bulbs. 
Jun 2013

145000 mi

US $80
Tools added $50 to the expense repair. Recharged the A/C system to eliminate compressor whine with low Freon. 
Apr 2014

169000 mi

US $120
Replaced the starter 3 times. Received TWO bad starters from Tom's off eBay 
Jun 2014

174000 mi

US $110
Replaced heater core valve. 
Mar 2015

179000 mi

US $200
Replaced the DIC with the third one. This finally eliminated the CEL. Installed new spark plugs, and electrical grease. Replaced the Turbo bypass vacuum valve 
Jul 2015

183300 mi

US $29
Electronic car alarm system rebuilt, new batteries. Car alarm would light off, and couldn't be squealched. 
Dec 2015

186000 mi

US $65
Rear trunk latch had crushed sensor switch, leaving the rear lamps on, and draining the battery. Replaced with a used one. 
Jan 2016

180300 mi

US $180
TCS subsystem on Saab is failing, causing all of the dash lamps to light, and the speedometer to stop functioning. the ABS/TCS module had to be replaced. 
Sep 2016

147000 mi

US $225
Replaced rear drivers side strut. Spring broke. Used eBay part, sent to Elon - shop installed. 
Saab 9-5 in Alabama, United States
Jul 2012 - Jul 2012
Jul 2012 Turbo failure and other problems. 

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2001 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 230hp 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Saab 9-5 in British Columbia, Canada
Feb 2017 - Sep 2017
May 2017

122140 mi

C $900
Original exhaust system replaced due to wear, catback. 
Aug 2017

125860 mi

C $125
Thermostat failed, part replaced including coolant flush and replace 
Saab 9-5 in Ontario, Canada
Oct 2010 - Jul 2012
Nov 2010

103540 mi
Pump for screen washers was replaced 
Sep 2011

110980 mi

C $230
small leak in cooling sensor valve replaced valve 
Feb 2012

115840 mi

C $80
had problem with heating, found to be a loose connection, connecting plug was cleaned and re connected. 
Saab 9-5 in Massachusetts, United States
Mar 2011 - Apr 2015
Oct 2011

207500 mi

US $200
alarm disabled throttle body replaced 
May 2012

212600 mi

US $900
one cv joint replaced replaced part of front muffler 

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2001 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 230hp 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Saab 9-5 in Arizona, United States
Nov 2014 - Dec 2015
Nov 2014

155000 mi

US $110
Oil pressure sensor leak 
Dec 2014

155000 mi

US $150
Stuck thermostat 
Jan 2015

US $75
ABS control module 
Feb 2015

155600 mi

US $50
Engine Coolant Temp Sensor 
Jun 2015

157000 mi

US $410
Water pump replacement 
Saab 9-5 in Quebec, Canada
Jun 2010 - Nov 2016
Jul 2010

66340 mi

C $650
Throttle body 
Jun 2011

83700 mi

C $800
Cps replaced  
Dec 2011

88040 mi

C $900
Flex pipe 
Oct 2012

92380 mi

C $4000
Corrosion on oil cooler hose cause oil leak. Hoses changed. 
Nov 2012

92780 mi

C $70
Retorque head bolts, head leaked antifreeze in cylinder at cold start. No oil-antifreeze corruption 
Oct 2013

95780 mi

C $170
Windshield washer motor replaced 
Nov 2014

99200 mi

C $450
Alternator changed. 
Oct 2015

103640 mi

C $350
Change exhaust flex 
Nov 2016

104160 mi

C $400
power steering tube blown 

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2001 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 200hp 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

Saab 9-5 in New York, United States
May 2012 - Jul 2012
Jun 2012

134000 mi
I'm a new owner and installed a Kenwood am/fm/cd/mp3 receiver. Car audio failed and only cost was a plug adapter. 
Jul 2012

134000 mi

US $50
Check Engine Lite with stalling and hard starts. Code p0300 on scanner. Cleaned throttle body and replaced some vac. tubing. Reset CEL by pulling fuse 17 and car is ok for now. Add fuel cleaner to tank and oil change w/filter. 
Saab 9-5 in Pennsylvania, United States
Jul 2013 - Jun 2018
Oct 2013

124000 mi

US $65
misfires, codes P0300, P0305. changed timing belt, cleaned throttle body, replaced pcv valve. 
Dec 2013

124000 mi

US $62
Car running rich, thermostat not working 
Jul 2014

128200 mi

US $350
No start,fuel pump not working. Replaced fuel pump 
Jan 2016

142000 mi

US $200
Muffler rusted and leaky 
Jul 2016

145000 mi

US $75
Replaced leaky valve cover gaskets and installed new spark plugs 
Jan 2018

162000 mi

US $800
Replaced catalytic converter  and fuel injectors 
Saab 9-5 in Texas, United States
Nov 2010 - Oct 2016
Dec 2010

79000 mi

US $2400
Replaced non-working Saab Information Display. Replaced brake booster and vacuum hoses. Replaced high beam relay in fuse box. 
Jan 2011

81000 mi

US $925
Throttle had to be replaced. 
Jun 2011

87000 mi

US $300
The bolt which attaches the brake dust cover had come out and needed to be replaced. Had to replace the wheel bearing in the process. 
Aug 2011

89000 mi

US $750
Alternator needed to be replaced. 
Nov 2011

93000 mi

US $850
Replaced one of the motor mounts. Along the serpentine belt "route" a pulley bearing had gone bad. Pulley replaced. 
Aug 2012

104800 mi

US $200
Oil leak. Needed new gasket. 
Sep 2012

107000 mi

US $500
Both front windows would not open. Needed new switch installed. 
Apr 2013

111500 mi

US $1200
Radiator cracked and had to be replaced. Various oil leaks requiring replacement of several gaskets and valves. 
Sep 2013

117000 mi

US $1000
Automatic transmission mount, torque rod, and lower control bushings were bad. A/T mount complete cracked in two. 
Nov 2013

121000 mi

US $300
The PCV box was leaking. Box was removed, resealed, and replaced with a new hose. 
Apr 2014

126700 mi

US $610
Alternator went out and was replaced with a rebuilt model. 
Dec 2014

135000 mi

US $600
Actuator (for providing direction of air flow) for heating/air system had to be replaced. Unable to direct air to defrost or to floorboard until this was replaced. 
Jun 2016

151000 mi
Door buttons (lock, unlock) do not work on key nor in car. All looks function must be controlled manually. The TWICE unit was replaced but no affect. No known fix. 
Saab 9-5 in Massachusetts, United States
May 2011 - Oct 2012
Dec 2011

108000 mi

US $558
Crank no start, fuel pump stopped working, jacked vehicle up in order to whack the fuel tank there by getting the fuel pump going, had fuel pump replaced, working fine now. 

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2001 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 185hp 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Saab 9-5 in Ohio, United States
Nov 2010 - Dec 2021
Jan 2013

140200 mi

US $250
Alternator went bad. Replaced battery. 
Dec 2015

158000 mi

US $560
Camber Adjustment. Car had settled and tire was wearing unevenly. Alignment would not fix the problem according to my shop (they specialize in Saabs). Shims must be used to adjust the wheel camber. Cost is almost all labor. 
Saab 9-5 in Quebec, Canada
Dec 2010 - May 2011
Apr 2011

125240 mi

C $1000
DIC replaced 
May 2011

125240 mi
needed new ignition module needed repairs to the climate control system. the cooling was unrelaible....the driver side would call for cooling and the passenger side would be heating. 
Saab 9-5 in Washington, United States
May 2010 - Jan 2017
Nov 2011

95000 mi

US $1605
Was experiencing blue smoke at cold startup. Diagnosed as failed seals in the turbocharger. Turbocharger was replaced with remanufactured unit. Note that this was 2nd turbo replacement, first was under factory warranty at ~3 yrs/30k miles 
Apr 2012

95500 mi

US $718
ABS controller failure. Symptom was ABS, BRAKE, TCS and lights on dash, and inoperative speedometer. 
Aug 2012

98500 mi

US $400
Coolant bypass valve failed, coolant was leaking under the car Engine oil leaking at distributor blocking plate Previously-replaced control arm bushing failed prematurely. Replaced at reduced parts/no labor cost by shop since they had performed original replacement. 
Dec 2012

101000 mi

US $400
water pump failed, leaked coolant. had to be replaced. 
Jan 2015

98000 mi

US $883
Failed water pump causing coolant leak 
Sep 2016

118000 mi

US $315
Replaced Direct Ignition cassette - the Check Engine light was on, and I paid for diagnosis at my independent Saab mechanic; then I bought the parts from the mechanic and replaced myself in time for bi-annual vehicle emission test 

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2001 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 185hp 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Saab 9-5 in Utah, United States
Aug 2011 - Nov 2017
Oct 2011

140000 mi

US $741
fuel delivery valve was replaced 
Oct 2016

169000 mi

US $2000
The key simply needed to be recoded but since Saab is DOA, there is no way to recode without replacing the whole computer. We just sent the car to the scrap yard instead. 
Saab 9-5 in New Hampshire, United States
Apr 2011 - Jun 2012
Sep 2011

170000 mi

US $220
replaced noisy fuel pump with aftermarket unit. 
Apr 2012

174000 mi

US $50
Leaky/rusty exhaust component 
Saab 9-5 in Queensland, Australia
Mar 2011 - Mar 2014
Apr 2011

130200 mi

A $600
Heat sensitive crank position sensor caused car to break down.Replaced sensor.Also replaced leaking oil pump seal and O-ring. 
Jun 2011

133920 mi
Vacuum pump hose fittings on pump and inlet manifold loose and leaking air causing engine to run "hard & rough at idle" Fitted rubber O-rings under red release rings which sealed fitting properly and caused smoother idle and acceleration. 
Sep 2011

133920 mi

A $300
Solved engine chk. light problem by replacing boost relief valves and re-seated various vacuum hoses.  
Jan 2012

137220 mi

A $240
Replaced left and right front strut top assembly including new rubber gaiters. The left side was making a rattling noise over bumps and showed signs of wear on inspection. Had wheel alignment done. 
Mar 2012

138260 mi
Took off LH mudguard inner plastic lining and found un-plugged plug from black box mounted between washer reservoir and mudguard.After plugging in found performance much improved and smoother.What is this box for.??? 
Oct 2012

141560 mi

A $80
Replaced L & R front wheel bearings. 
Nov 2012

142460 mi

A $230
Replaced rear bushing on front wishbone as well as lower balljoint.This done for L &R side.Had wheel alignment done. 
Jun 2013

146940 mi

A $220
Left front wheel bearing collapsed after having only been replaced 2mths earlier. 
Nov 2013

151280 mi
Have had repeated loosening of the Left brake caliper mounting bolts . This time i put locking compound on the threads and lock washers on the bolts and slightly over torqued them to make sure they will not loosen again. 
Jan 2014

145400 mi

A $289
Oil leaking from oil pump seal saturated serpentine belt and caused it to break. Cruise control hoses leaking and ears broken off of switch. 
Mar 2014

159340 mi
Replaced faulty throttle body. 
Saab 9-5 in Connecticut, United States
Oct 2012 - Sep 2015
Mar 2013

125000 mi

US $1185
The engine light went on. Originally thought it just needed sparkplugs but it also needed the wiring mechanism changed. 
Jun 2014

154000 mi

US $2100
The engine had to be replaced. 

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2001 Saab 9-5 Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2001 Saab 9-5 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.