AI Damage2002 Saab 9-5: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Saab 9-5 filed 65 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 65
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 51% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 3% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 33 complaints (51% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 13 complaints (20% of all).
- Fuel system: 9 complaints (14% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (5% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (5% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 65 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 33 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My airbags did not deploy, nor did the seat belt lock up, which allowed me to go forward in the accident.
While driving 35-40 mph consumer lost steering control, and hit a guard rail. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled on a major highway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure was diagnosed by an authorized dealer who stated to repair the direct ignition cassette. The failure recurred multiple times after it was repaired.
On mar 2, 2013 the tire blew out and upon inspection at walmart automotive. It was discovered the tire was illegally plugged on inner wall. The rim had recracked. This violates 49 cfr 570.10 wheel assemblies. The company that sold me the faulty tires without my knowledge.
I have a 2002 saab 9-5 which has a problem with the front passenger side seat belt. It does not retract and therefore the passenger is unprotected. I know that saab has a history of this being a problem. My attempts to get some help from saab have been futile.
Passenger side seat belt. Just riding down the road and heard a spring popping sound near passenger door. Then passenger belt went limp with person in the seat. The belt had no tension and would not retract. Called dealer and they said no recall campaign for this problem and I have to pay to repair.
While driving at speeds of 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle lost power steering and braking ability. The contact was able to move the vehicle off the roadway and restart the vehicle. The vehicle resumed normal operation upon restarting.
2002 saab 9-5 has had failure of headlight bulbs at a rate of one or two per year from the very first year I have owned this car. No other bulb has burned out in the past 8 yr.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,606 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 9-5 has 40 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 65, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saab 9-5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 65. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (31%), loss of power / limp mode (17%), warning lights, check engine (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Saab 9-5?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Saab 9-5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.