NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 102 owner complaints for the 2000 Saab 9-5. Most complaints involve electrical system (53) and service brakes, hydraulic (14). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG ALERT LABELS MAY NOT BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. AFTER WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO COOL, THE CONTACT DISPENSED OIL INTO THE RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE RESUMED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED RAPIDLY TO THE HOT LEVEL READING. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: MODULE) HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.”
“I OWN A 2000 SAAB 9-5 AERO SEDAN. ON JUNE 14, 2007, I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN I EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS LOSS OCCURRED COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR WAS BY ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION BY A MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP AND BRAKE BOOSTER HAD FAILED. I WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED AND THAT I DID NOT DRIFT OUT INTO THE 5 LANE HIGHWAY THAT I WAS APPROACHING. I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE IN THAT I DID NOT HIT OTHER CARS OR PEDESTRIANS IN THIS INCIDENT. SAAB HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR BRAKE PROBLEMS AND I BELIEVE THAT THE 9-5 SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *AK”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 95. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE MINUTES WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE OPERATED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-5 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, B235E · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| 9-5 Wagon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, B235E · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| 9-5 Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, B235E · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| 9-5 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, B235R · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| 9-5 Wagon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, B235R · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| 9-5 Wagon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, B235R · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| 9-5 Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, B235R · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| 9-5 Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, B308E · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| 9-5 Wagon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, B235E · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| 9-5 Wagon Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, B308E · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 102 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (53), service brakes, hydraulic (14), engine and engine cooling (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Saab 9-5 at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).