CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. FAULT CODE DETERMINED DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE COULD FAIL ANY TIME. REPLACED IGNITION CASSETTE AND SPARK PLUGS.*CW
2003 Saab 9-5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 9-5 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
31 reports with mileage · 16 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
25 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE, WHICH CONTROLS THE SPARKS PLUGS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION AT THE COST OF $500; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED. HE WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE SAAB MANUFACTURER AND REPORT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
BOTH DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTES FAILED ON MY 2003 SAAB 9-5 3.0L V6. GM RECALLED THE CASSETTES ON THE 2000-2002 MODEL YEARS. *TR
MY 2003 9-5 LINEAR IS HAVING MANY OF THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED BY OTHERS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RECENTLY AND I HAD THE CODES READ. THE CODES REPRESENTED A MISFIRE PROBLEM. WHEN DOING RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT IT IS MOST USUALLY THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE, FAILURE AT 80000 MILES? SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS SUDDE…
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MY 2003 9-5 LINEAR IS HAVING MANY OF THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED BY OTHERS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RECENTLY AND I HAD THE CODES READ. THE CODES REPRESENTED A MISFIRE PROBLEM. WHEN DOING RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT IT IS MOST USUALLY THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE, FAILURE AT 80000 MILES? SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY (ONE TIME), FORCING ME TO WEAVE THROUGH TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER TO GET TO THE SIDE. THE CAR RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STOPPING. NOW THE CAR SEEMS TO BUCK WHEN DRIVING AND AT IDLE, WHICH IS ALSO REPRESENTATIVE OF A DIM FAILURE. I WILL BE BRINGING IT TO THE SHOP TO GET REPAIRED UNDER MY AFTERMARKET WARRANTY, BUT I FEEL THAT SAAB SHOULD BE PAYING SINCE THE FAILURE IS THE SAME AS THE 2000-2002 MODEL YEAR RECALL. *TR
FAILURE OF 2003 SAAB 95 DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. *TR
MY 2003 SAAB 9-5 ARC V6 3.0TURBO HAS BEGUN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION. IT FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START. IT TURNS OVER BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT COMPLETELY FIRE. IN ADDITION, ONCE IT DOES START IT WILL OFTEN STALL OUT. THIS GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE OR WHEN AT A STOPLIGHT/STOP SIGN. ONCE THE C…
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MY 2003 SAAB 9-5 ARC V6 3.0TURBO HAS BEGUN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION. IT FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START. IT TURNS OVER BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT COMPLETELY FIRE. IN ADDITION, ONCE IT DOES START IT WILL OFTEN STALL OUT. THIS GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE OR WHEN AT A STOPLIGHT/STOP SIGN. ONCE THE CAR STALLS IT DOES NOT JUST RESTART. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE ALL NEW AND NO LINES ARE BROKEN/DAMAGED. I HAVE EXAMINED RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND RECALL05087/15021B DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM AND MY MODEL OF CAR IS LISTED YET I AM TOLD THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN NUMBER. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR A FEW MONTHS. I AM LISTING THE INCIDENT DATE AS TODAY'S DATE. *TR
CAR RUNS PERFECTLY AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WILL RANDOMLY STALL. IF YOU CAN MANAGE TO NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THE CAR WILL START RIGHT BACK UP AFTER YOU TURN OFF THE KEY AND RESTART. SOMETIMES EVERY COUPLE OF MILES, AND CAN GO SEVERAL MILES WITHOUT THE STALL. SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN AT CONSTANT SPEEDS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PR…
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CAR RUNS PERFECTLY AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WILL RANDOMLY STALL. IF YOU CAN MANAGE TO NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THE CAR WILL START RIGHT BACK UP AFTER YOU TURN OFF THE KEY AND RESTART. SOMETIMES EVERY COUPLE OF MILES, AND CAN GO SEVERAL MILES WITHOUT THE STALL. SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN AT CONSTANT SPEEDS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. DIAGNOSTIC CODES ARE P1230 AND P1261, BUT I THINK THESE ARE RESULTS OF THE SUDDEN STALL, AND NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED 03/10/09. *LJ
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON- MY MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A RECALL (WHICH I VERIFIED ON YOUR SITE), YET WHEN I TOOK IT TO SAAB (AND CALLED), THEY SAID MY PARTICULAR VIN # WAS NOT COVERED. AMAZING COINCIDENCE THAT THE EXACT PART THAT WAS RECALLED GOT REPLACED??!! PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT I CAN/SHOULD DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PR…
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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON- MY MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A RECALL (WHICH I VERIFIED ON YOUR SITE), YET WHEN I TOOK IT TO SAAB (AND CALLED), THEY SAID MY PARTICULAR VIN # WAS NOT COVERED. AMAZING COINCIDENCE THAT THE EXACT PART THAT WAS RECALLED GOT REPLACED??!! PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT I CAN/SHOULD DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND I HAD A MECHANIC CHECKED AND THE DI CASSETTE WAS FAILING, AND CAUSING ENGINE MISFIRE. MY SAAB 9-5 IS YEAR 2003 MODEL AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 70K MILES. FROM WHAT I READ ONLINE, THE PART DOES HAVE A LIMITED AND LESS THAN REASONABLE LIFE. IT WAS RECALLED FOR MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002. *TR
THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ON MY 2003 9-5 WAGON HAS BEEN COMING ON PERIODICALLY FOR THE LAST YEAR. WE HAD IT SERVICED BY AN INDY AND TWO ERROR CODES CAME UP, P1312 AND P1334, BOTH HAVING TO DO WITH THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. WE JUST HAD THE PART REPLACED. ONLY ONCE DID THE CAR "DIE" WHILE DRIVING AND LUCKILY IT WAS AT LOW SP…
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THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ON MY 2003 9-5 WAGON HAS BEEN COMING ON PERIODICALLY FOR THE LAST YEAR. WE HAD IT SERVICED BY AN INDY AND TWO ERROR CODES CAME UP, P1312 AND P1334, BOTH HAVING TO DO WITH THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. WE JUST HAD THE PART REPLACED. ONLY ONCE DID THE CAR "DIE" WHILE DRIVING AND LUCKILY IT WAS AT LOW SPEED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO RESTART. THE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON THE ORIGINAL PART IS 9197559 (TK3.6). MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 2002. CONSIDER EXPANDING THE RECALL IN PLACE FOR 2000-2002 MODEL YEARS (NHTSA #05V399000) TO INCLUDE 2003 VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY THOSE BUILT IN 2002. *TR
Official recalls
408V160000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
Apr 9, 2008
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
07V087000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 7, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
06V410000 · Electrical System:ignition:module
Oct 26, 2006
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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).
03V006000 · Wheels:hub
Jan 13, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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