Vehicle Data Hub

2001 Saab 9-5 engine problems

24 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2001 Saab 9-5, which is 17% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
24 17% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
66,000 miles 14 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 1
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2001 Saab 9-5 Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 66,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 1 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 1 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 4 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 4 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 2 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 2 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 0 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 66,000 miles
Based on 14 complaints that include mileage. 43% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles1
20k to 40k miles1
40k to 60k miles4
60k to 80k miles4
80k to 100k miles2
100k to 120k miles2
120k to 140k miles0
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 14 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 66,000 miles, and 43% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 fire.

What owners wrote

I own a 2001 saab 95 se v6. Was driving down the nj tpk and the car lost power and had a small electrical like fire under the hood. Had to get the car towed from the nj turnpike off and then again to my place in bensalem pa. Total cost $77 + 66. Found out that the di cassette burned out, cost me approx $600 to fix. A day later the cat converter fails (check engine light came on again). This is certainly due to di cassette burning out. Very frustrating for a car with only 60k miles on it.

Reported at 60,100 miles, January 2006 Fire

Driving at 65MPH in far left lane of highway and sudden loss of speed--could only go 20-30 MPH for a few minutes before burning smell. Was able to come to right shoulder while dodging highway traffic. Direct ignition cassette (dic) failure 1 of 2 dic's in 6 cylinder engine). Second visit required for check engine light--was catalytic converter. Third visit for another cel for second dic failure.

Reported at 23,000 miles, September 2004

Other problems reported for the 2001 Saab 9-5

Engine problems in other years

  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • 1999

Engine problems across all Saab models