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: 2 of 8 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
8 reports
105,000 miles · Sep 20, 2004
Visibility
A PLASTIC PIECE IN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM BROKE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENT, PRIMARILY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. IN ADDITION, THE FAN MOTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THIS HAP…
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A PLASTIC PIECE IN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM BROKE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENT, PRIMARILY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. IN ADDITION, THE FAN MOTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP IMMEDIATELY. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND RE DESIGNED THE SYSTEM, BUT THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART WILL BE VERY COSTLY. A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM WAS ISSUED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10092771
64,000 miles · Sep 17, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10040163
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MULTIPLE GASKETS REPLACED (AND ASSOCIATED ENGINE PARTS) BECAUSE THEY ARE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT. THE VEHICLE SMOKES EXTENSIVELY AND CAUSES THE SMOKE TO ENTER THE CAR WHEN DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR OVER THREE WEEKS TOTAL IN THE LAST 5 WEEKS TO REPLACE THE GASKETS, OIL PANS, TURBO CHARGERS, ETC.,…
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I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MULTIPLE GASKETS REPLACED (AND ASSOCIATED ENGINE PARTS) BECAUSE THEY ARE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT. THE VEHICLE SMOKES EXTENSIVELY AND CAUSES THE SMOKE TO ENTER THE CAR WHEN DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR OVER THREE WEEKS TOTAL IN THE LAST 5 WEEKS TO REPLACE THE GASKETS, OIL PANS, TURBO CHARGERS, ETC., WITH NO END IN SIGHT. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE IS AN OIL PRESSURE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT SAAB HAS ISSUED A REPAIR RECOMMENDATION FOR ALL OF SAAB LIKE VEHICLES BECAUSE THE PCV IS DEFECTIVE AND IS CAUSING THE OIL PRESSURE TO BE TOO GREAT. THIS CAUSES THE GASKETS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY AND CAUSES OTHER IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER TOOK THE ENTIRE FRONT END APART AND DIDN'T PUT IT TOGETHER CORRECTLY CAUSING THE PC BOOT TO NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (TWO CHILDREN IN VEHICLE - NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES). I HAVE INFORMED SAAB USA OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CONTACTING THE DEALER AND LOOKING INTO IT BECAUSE ALL OF THIS STARTED AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SAAB IS AWARE OF IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ISSUED A REPAIR STATEMENT TO THE DEALERS. THAT TELLS ME THAT THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT ALL REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY SAAB. I'VE SPENT OVER $3,000 IN REPAIR BILLS AND RENTAL CAR BILLS WITH NO END IN SIGHT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765984
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING FROM A STOP POSITION. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8011973
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH EXHAUST FUMES GETTING INTO VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL FOR TURBO TO EXHIBIT EXHAUST FUMES. CONSUMER STATES FUMES ARE UNBEARABLE MAKING CONSUMER ILL. *TT
NHTSA ODI #8011972
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2001
Electrical System
BOTH HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT WITHIN A FEW/ MINUTES, THIS HAS HAPPENED 5-6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, SEEMS TO BE A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN BULBS ON BOTH LOW BEAMS HAVE BURNED OUT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #887780
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2000
Power Train
AS WE TRAVELLED ALONG A BUSY ROAD, THE TRANSMISION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ADN WE WERE UNABLE TO ENGAGE ANY GEAR, WHICH PUT US SOME REAL DANGER AS WE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE WE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT SAAB HAS KNOWN OF A FAILURE IN THE CNETRAL COMPUTER IN THE 9-5 MODEL AND HAS BEEN REPLACING COMPUTER…
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AS WE TRAVELLED ALONG A BUSY ROAD, THE TRANSMISION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ADN WE WERE UNABLE TO ENGAGE ANY GEAR, WHICH PUT US SOME REAL DANGER AS WE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE WE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT SAAB HAS KNOWN OF A FAILURE IN THE CNETRAL COMPUTER IN THE 9-5 MODEL AND HAS BEEN REPLACING COMPUTERS IN CARS EVEN IF THEY COME IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. WE WERE NEVER INFORMED OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND DROVE IT WITHOUT REALIZING THE DANGER IT PRESENTED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE COMPUTER REPLACED, BUT AS OF TODAY NEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE APPEARED AND WE FEAR THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #732356
Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 1999
Electrical System
INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #781762
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.
1999 Saab 952 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year