| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2003 Saab 9-5 repairs by problem area
Engine (48%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)
Brakes and Traction Control (5%)
Suspension and Steering (11%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (28%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)
Other (4%)
Chart based on 172 repairs.
2003 Saab 9-5 engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (3%)
$1000 - $2499 (13%)
$500 - $999 (17%)
$100 - $499 (50%)
< $100 (18%)
Chart based on 78 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2003 Saab 9-5
Engine not specified
| 73000 mi US $100 |
Temp sensor and thermostat went bad. replaced both. |
2003 Saab 9-5 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 250hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 98000 mi US $524 |
Fuel pump stopped working. |
| 101000 mi US $98 |
Faulty engine temperature sensor was replaced. |
| 103000 mi | Disassembled and cleaned the mass air flow (MAF) sensor/screen with CRC MAF cleaner. Took about 40 minutes, and I had the CRC cleaner on hand, so at no cost. Resulted in noticeably better engine performance and gas mileage. I won't wait 14 years to clean the MAF again. |
| 129500 mi US $579 |
Oil dripping onto exhaust pipe, replaced oil pressure sending unit($60) |
| 135000 mi US $110 |
Replaced failed heater bypass valve, rest of cooling system checked out OK, |
| 139000 mi US $610 |
Replaced water pump due to very slow drip. (less than 8oz/year) |
| 49600 mi €350 |
Bypass valve while on holiday in Italy |
| 49431 mi €248 |
oil change, check bypass valve, update transmission software |
| 50956 mi €80 |
replace thermostat |
| 70060 mi €315 |
Direct Injection Cassette Replaced |
| 86180 mi €350 |
Replaced fuel pump |
| 97340 mi €200 |
Replace TDC sensor |
| 103540 mi €300 |
Repair leaking distribution oil gasket |
| 104740 mi €125 |
Replace Bypass Valve |
| 112220 mi €150 |
Replace intake hose beween intercooler and turbo Replace Hester valve |
| 152520 mi €200 |
Replaced coolant bypass valve |
| 173600 mi €75 |
Replace Thermostat |
| 177940 mi €1500 |
New Timing Chain rolled in |
| 34000 mi US $300 |
Coolant bypass valve cracked, and dumped coolant. |
| 42800 mi US $1400 |
Air Mass Meter faulty. Replaced for $440 by independent Saab specialist |
| 39700 mi | P1230 code from the throttle body. Throttle body sensor. New throttle body was installed. Intercooler developed a crack in the plastic side casing. Hissing noise, but no loss of power or driveability. |
| 50600 mi US $1000 |
Engine and transmission mounts, serpentine belt, and idler pulley replaced. All preventative maintenance, and to eliminate wearing parts. |
| 65000 mi US $250 |
Replaced direct ignition module. Parts costs only. |
| 70000 mi US $200 |
Replaced failing throttle body with rebuilt unit. I installed, so cost is part only. |
| 75000 mi US $150 |
Replaced coolant bypass valve |
| 78000 mi US $150 |
Replaced crankshaft position sensor |
| 81000 mi US $100 |
Replaced thermostat |
2003 Saab 9-5 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 200hp 3.0L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 88000 mi US $350 |
Needed Ignition Coil replacement |
| 100000 mi US $2300 |
Thermostat |
| 101000 mi US $400 |
Crank position sensor |
| 103000 mi US $90 |
New muffler |
2003 Saab 9-5 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 185hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 145000 mi US $857 |
Front and Back Exhaust Mufflers Front Brake Pads |
| 46837 mi US $156 |
Noticed bluish smoke from exhaust on starting. Worsened over next five months. Replaced crank case vent kit ($55) with latest version. |
| 52853 mi US $2037 |
Engine, transmission, and subframe mounts. Front mail seal, oil pump o-ring, oil pressure sensor. Replaced front main seal Replaced oil pressure sensor Replaced oil pump O-ring |
| 55300 mi US $313 |
Replaced heater control valve ($191), upper heater core hose ($40), and upper radiator how item 51 93 362 ($15). Last two preventive. |
| 57000 mi | Engine Light Alarm: Fault Code P0116 Engine Temperature Circuit Range/Perform. Erased this fault with new code reader and the fault did return upon restarting. |
| 59900 mi US $240 |
Noise from front of exhaust pipe. Local shop bought a short pipe section and bent it to fit avoiding expensive part purchase. |
| 62000 mi | No response to turning ignition key (battery & starter OK). An annoying intermittent problem now apparently permanent, I have parted with this my last in a 48 year span of owning SAABs. I replaced it with VW SportsWagen. |
| 145000 mi US $200 |
3 of 4 Engine mounts replaced. |
2003 Saab 9-5 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 185hp 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 139500 mi C $2500 |
Clutch was worn. |
2003 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 250hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 90 mi US $45 |
Replaced mass air flow sensor. No symptoms on removed unit. |
| 115000 mi US $200 |
Fuel pump failure |
| 123000 mi US $500 |
leaking oil, a lot of motor oil. |
| 83000 mi | Valve cover gasket replaced, engine degreased |
| 43000 mi US $375 |
Replaced Direct Ignition Cassette and installed new spark plugs |
| 77500 mi C $60 |
Engine light turns on frequently now with three trouble codes. 2 for misfire 1234 cyl. and cam position sensor which doesn't exist. DIC system is on its way out. Bought OBD2 for my laptop to monitor car. |
2003 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 250hp 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 180000 mi US $300 |
DI Cassette failed, was able to drive home though (car sputtering). Replaced DI and plugs, problem eliminated. |
| 183000 mi US $250 |
Engine would not warm up fully, followed by check engine light -- thermostat & coolant temp sensor replaced. Only needed thermostat, but I requested replacement of CTS as well. |
| 194000 mi US $250 |
Engine mount shot. Replaced. |
| 195000 mi US $450 |
Drivetrain felt "loose" and was clunking. Replaced transmission mounts and main motor mount. Will have to bring back for last mount in back. |
| 135000 mi US $400 |
Ignition switch repaired |
| 137000 mi US $500 |
Water pump and thermostat replaced |
2003 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 200hp 3.0L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 46000 mi US $200 |
clogged injection system |
| 47000 mi US $500 |
cracked motor mounts |
| 48000 mi US $800 |
faulty direct ignition system |
| 49000 mi US $1200 |
broken fuel pump. car had to be towed. |
| 74000 mi US $500 |
Check engine light catalytic converter; replaced both Oxygen sensors |
2003 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 185hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 99000 mi US $250 |
oil leak in turbo |
| 110000 mi US $1000 |
fuel pump failed on highway |
| 110360 mi C $5000 |
blew radiator replaced radiator plus all coolant hose |
| 117000 mi US $1000 |
car died at 70 MPH in passing lane, towed to dealer who replaced throttle body module. repair successful |
| 172000 mi | Hole in radiator and got a new valve |
| 171000 mi | lost compression in 2 cylnders |
| 133000 mi US $500 |
Direct Ignition Cassette - replaced |
| 147800 mi US $294 |
Crank Sensor replaced |
| 161000 mi US $290 |
Crank shaft position sensor replaced |
| 169000 mi US $111 |
Radiator, replaced PCV Check Valve, replaced |
| 177000 mi US $516 |
Oil sending unit replaced Fuel pump replaced |
| 132680 mi C $300 |
The PCV valve needed to be replaced - only cost $17 (changed this part myself). |
| 140120 mi C $20 |
Thermostat failed (12 yrs old). Easy & cheap replacement for $20 part. |
| 143920 mi C $1100 |
Exhaust rusted - replaced exhaust from cat-back with an after-market stainless performance model. |
| 152520 mi C $350 |
No heat, temperature gauge reads low. Appears the thermostat replaced just over one year ago has failed. The part was NOT an OEM part. |
| 41000 mi US $200 |
Fuel management module was faulty - killing gas mileage |
2003 Saab 9-5 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 185hp 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 90000 mi US $500 |
check engine light on, diagnosed as bad direct ignition cassette, replacement of direct ignition cassette solved problem. DI cassette in car was original. |
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