Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
17 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Exterior Lighting
THE RETENTION CLIPS FOR THE RIGHT SIGNAL/PARKING LIGHT ASSEMBLY BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55MPH. THE ASSEMBLY FELL OUT OF THE SOCKET AND WAS RETAINED BY WIRING HARNESS. UPON NEXT VISIT TO DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY PLASTIC FAILURE WHICH EXISTS IN SAAB 9-3 MODELS. FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN …
Read full complaint
THE RETENTION CLIPS FOR THE RIGHT SIGNAL/PARKING LIGHT ASSEMBLY BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55MPH. THE ASSEMBLY FELL OUT OF THE SOCKET AND WAS RETAINED BY WIRING HARNESS. UPON NEXT VISIT TO DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY PLASTIC FAILURE WHICH EXISTS IN SAAB 9-3 MODELS. FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN ON 9-5 MODEL. SAAB WILL NOT REPLACE ASSEMBLIES. DEALER SUGGESTED CHECKING OTHER ASSEMBLY WHICH I DID AND FOUND PLASTIC BROKEN ON THIS ASSEMBLY AS WELL. IN ADDITION, THE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS THE SCREW TO RETAIN THE LAMP HAS BROKEN AS WELL. THIS IS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
NHTSA ODI #752697
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE TWICE FAILED TO BRAKE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE SECOND TIME I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND COULD NOT STOP AT THE END OF THE RAMP. I TRIED TO DOWN SHIFT AND TURN RIGHT ON THE INERSECTING HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR SPUNOUT DOING A 450 DEGREE SPIN IN FRONT OF A SEMI IN THE OTHER LA…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE TWICE FAILED TO BRAKE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE SECOND TIME I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND COULD NOT STOP AT THE END OF THE RAMP. I TRIED TO DOWN SHIFT AND TURN RIGHT ON THE INERSECTING HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR SPUNOUT DOING A 450 DEGREE SPIN IN FRONT OF A SEMI IN THE OTHER LANE WHICH NARROWLY MISSED ME AND THEN I SLID DOWN THE EMBANKMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OVERPASS AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE DEALER RETURNED OUR CAR SAYING THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER ONLY DRIVING 50 MILES, MOST OF THOSE AROUND TOWN WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON.
NHTSA ODI #749776
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2000
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS KEEPS BLOWING OUT, AND DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT ASSEBLY, BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #875194
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2000
Seats
OPTIONAL WAGON SLIDING LOAD FLOOR SAAB P/N 02-69-645 COVERS REAR TETHER ANCHOR POINTS BEHIND SEAT, RENDERING THEM UNUSABLE. ORIGINAL WAGON FLOOR HAD CUTOUTS FOR TETHER ANCHORAGE CLEARANCE.
NHTSA ODI #735786
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HEAR FUEL SLOSHING/THUNKING SOUND WHEN THE TANK IS 1/2-3/4 FULL. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT IT CONCERNS ME. THE MFG. HAS TOLD ME IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #722998
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE--FUEL RUSHES TO FRONT OF TANK UPON BRAKING AND THUNKS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THIS STRESS ON THE FUEL TANK COULD POSE A THREAT, SUCH AS A FUEL EXPLOSION, IN A CRASH. PROBLEM EXISTS WHEN TANK IS 1/2 TO 3/4 FULL. SAAB IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND STATES THAT IT IS CAUSED BY COMPLIANCE WITH CA EMISSIONS STANDA…
Read full complaint
FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE--FUEL RUSHES TO FRONT OF TANK UPON BRAKING AND THUNKS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THIS STRESS ON THE FUEL TANK COULD POSE A THREAT, SUCH AS A FUEL EXPLOSION, IN A CRASH. PROBLEM EXISTS WHEN TANK IS 1/2 TO 3/4 FULL. SAAB IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND STATES THAT IT IS CAUSED BY COMPLIANCE WITH CA EMISSIONS STANDARDS. NO OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVE HAD SUCH PROBLEMS IN COMPLYING WITH CA EMISSIONS. I HAVE SPOKEN BY THE INTERNET WITH OVER 10 OTHER SAAB 9-5 OWNERS WHO ALL REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT, NOT AN INDIVIDUAL COMPLAINT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722584
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL TANK MAKES A UNBEARABLE LOUD NOISE. THE FUEL IS BANGING AGAINST THE WALLS OF THE TANK WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY RUPTURE THE TANK OR LOOSEN THE CONNECTING COMPONENTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716927
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2000 Saab 95 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration