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1999 Saab 9-5 repairs by problem area

Engine (44%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)

Brakes and Traction Control (11%)

Suspension and Steering (11%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (5%)

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Chart based on 61 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the 1999 Saab 9-5.

1999 Saab 9-5 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (2%)

$500 - $999 (27%)

$100 - $499 (33%)

< $100 (38%)

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Chart based on 48 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

See repairs for all Saab 9-5 model years.

Saab in New Jersey, United States Jun 2010 - Jul 2010
Jul 2010 102000 mi	The car wouldn't start. Had it towed to the Saab dealer. Replaced an ignition part, the coil, I think. The car stopped on the street and wouldn't move. A grinding sound came from the transmission and it jerked into gear. Car was towed to my driveway. I'll give it away. I've spent $15,000 in repairs in three years. Worst car I ever owned

Saab in Washington, United States Sep 2011 - Oct 2012
Jun 2012 204000 mi US $620	ABS unit and brake system on passenger front wheel had to be replaced; brake booster was worked on as well and replaced in September on my next trip.
Sep 2012 206000 mi US $370	Brake booster was replaced.
Oct 2012 206000 mi US $508	Engine starter was replaced.

Saab in Michigan, United States Jan 2014 - Dec 2015
Jul 2014 200000 mi	Saab 9-5 alarm system batteries go bad after 8+ years. Alarm will go off while driving the car and other random times. I pulled the plug that supplies power to the alarm. There are YouTube videos that explain how.

Saab in North Carolina, United States Apr 2014 - Nov 2016
Jul 2014 134000 mi US $1450	tie-rod end replaced

Saab in Maine, United States Sep 2009 - Mar 2010
Oct 2009 123000 mi US $300	Fuel pump failure

Saab in Saskatchewan, Canada May 2014 - Sep 2015
Jul 2014 150760 mi	A/C and heating stopped working. Driver side window motor not functional
Aug 2015 158720 mi	A/C not switching from hot to cold on the passenger side.

Saab in Alabama, United States Dec 2011 - Oct 2012
Jan 2012 US $500	had to replace turbo (2nd replacement) @ 133,000, first turbo replaced under warranty @ 85,000.
Jun 2012 144000 mi US $150	Replaced failed radiator hose.
Oct 2012 149000 mi US $71	replaced sway bar links

Saab in Texas, United States Dec 2013 - Jul 2014
Jul 2014 160000 mi US $300	problem with windows falling off the elevator. not going up or down. elevators work fine, just had to reattach the windows.

Saab in Texas, United States Jun 2013 - Aug 2013
Jul 2013 144000 mi US $60	CBV blew out. Ordered heater hose bypass kit to eliminate known issue. Brake booster vacuum system hoses broke during CBV replacement. Passenger side blend door replaced Alternator replaced Battery replaced
Aug 2013 144000 mi	Thermostat stuck closed. Replaced with new thermostat.

Saab in Minnesota, United States Jun 2009 - Mar 2010
Jul 2009 148000 mi US $88	The drivers side front window would not go back up (it would only go down). Was apparently a problem with the window motor.

Saab in Ohio, United States Dec 2012 - Oct 2013
Jan 2013 183200 mi US $145	Front headgasket leaking coolant into cylinder 4. coolant bypass valve cracked what let to overheating and gasket failure.
Jun 2013 185000 mi	Hole in front of resonator. Welded and repaired clamp.
Aug 2013 185300 mi	Rear head gasket leaking. Replaced head gasket.

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Saab in Ohio, United States Nov 2010 - Jul 2012
Dec 2010 137000 mi US $400	wheel bearing and hub had to be replaced
Aug 2011 147000 mi US $600	Ac & heat would not always work. Told it was the blendors,the plastic insides of the system? Cost of part was not that high but the labor to remove the dash, etc. is what cost so much.
Jul 2012 155000 mi US $500	radiator problem, traded car because can't afford the expenses

Saab in New York, United States Jun 2009 - Nov 2010
Jun 2010 134000 mi	Trunk would not open due to electrical failure.
Nov 2010 139000 mi	Exhaust link in flex pipe.

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Saab in Connecticut, United States Dec 2010 - May 2013
Mar 2011 186000 mi	Car in shop for nearly a month due to malfunctioning sensors (multiple) - ABS wheel speed sensor, MAP sensor and MAF sensor. Dashboard no longer resembles a Christmas tree thanks to experienced and patient Saab specialist.

Saab in Massachusetts, United States Jul 2010 - Jun 2011
Aug 2010 121000 mi US $50	Replaced complete fuel pump. Replaced heater valve.
Nov 2010 124000 mi US $100	ABS Module failed; replaced with a used unit car now runs fine. No heat on drivers side replaced broken motor arm for stepping unit; still no heat on DS. Will replace cabin filter next to see if that solves the problem. Upper Idle Pulley failed; replaced pulley and drive belt.

Saab in Connecticut, United States Jun 2009 - Oct 2013
Jul 2010 130000 mi US $180	Front passenger window jumped track. Replaced two rollers.
Jun 2012 134000 mi	CEL, replaced oxygen sensor. Replaced portion of the exhaust.
Sep 2012 135000 mi US $500	power steering hose leaked. replaced same.

Saab in Massachusetts, United States Jun 2009 - Jun 2013
May 2010 89900 mi US $300	Heater Bypass Valve
Sep 2010 92000 mi US $41	Power window switch failed
Mar 2012 103000 mi US $800	Power steering line corroded and leaked PS fluid. Line was replaced.
Jan 2013 92200 mi US $900	Direct Ignition Cassette and Crank Position Sensor

Saab in Pennsylvania, United States Jun 2009 - Dec 2018

Saab in Tennessee, United States Sep 2009 - Dec 2009
Oct 2009 83000 mi US $600	Engine burning oil due to turbo leakage
Dec 2009 83000 mi	Engine burning oil due to turbo leakage. Turbo replacement required.

Saab in Massachusetts, United States Feb 2010 - Aug 2011
Mar 2010 142000 mi US $125	A/C stopped working, stuck on heat

Saab in New Hampshire, United States Oct 2010 - Apr 2011
Nov 2010 136000 mi US $581	Car stared intermittently, finally died. Diagnosed as crank sensor which was replaced. Also had warn ball joint replaced and alignment done which previous shop said was ok.
Mar 2011 142000 mi US $123	Driver's window came out of track and fell down into door

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Saab in Ontario, Canada Sep 2010 - Dec 2011
Oct 2010 192820 mi	A rebuilt brake booster that was installed in August then failed again. This was repaired in September. The brakes then intermittently failed to release completely after removing foot from the pedal. The shop took two tries to rectify this.
Jan 2011 196540 mi C $100	Blow-off valve for turbocharger failed. Replaced part and reset error code.
Jun 2011 201500 mi C $600	Brake booster. Rebuilt unit failed after ~10 months. Shop no longer using rebuilt units.

Saab in Pennsylvania, United States Aug 2009 - Jun 2011
Jan 2010 192000 mi US $200	power steering hose

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Saab in Ohio, United States Sep 2010 - Sep 2012
Oct 2010 129000 mi US $236	Fuel tank pump failure, no warning aside from two long cranks. Bosch replacemernt would cost $850. My guy rebuilt it parts and labor for $236.11.
Nov 2010 130000 mi US $372	Radiator leak---had replaced with Silla.
Jun 2011 132000 mi	Total failure of alternator. Replaced with remanufactured one with 2 yr warranty-cost of unit $195.00 baance for difficult labor.
Jul 2011 132000 mi	Crankshaft position sensor replaced
Aug 2012 135000 mi US $80	Flexible portion of exhaust replaced by shade tree mechanics---1.5 hours total $80.00 I do not use this car generally during summer. Have 940 volvo for that.