2002 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3T
YS3EB59EX23011576
Vehicle history report for the 2002 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3T (VIN YS3EB59EX23011576). Black, wagon, 2.3L 4-cyl, gasoline. 113,111 mi reported. Registered in Ca. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2002 Saab 9-5 worth?
What comparable 2002 Saab 9-5 vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN YS3EB59EX23011576
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 2002 Saab 9-5.
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Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Saab 9-5, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
🔍 Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 65
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2002 Saab 9-5.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE ON MY 4 CYLINDER SAAB 9-5 (2002) HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE OWNING THE CAR, BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN SLOWER TRAFFIC. THE FIRST TIME I REPORTED OFFICIALLY (2007) TO THE DEALER, "NO CAUSE WAS IDENTIFIED." I NOTICED THE LAST TIME THAT IT HAPPENED (AROUND MAY 2011) THAT IT SEEMED TO COINCIDE WITH INADVERTENTLY BUM…
NHTSA ODI #10596487ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH SHUT OFF WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY TWICE! ONCE IN 2006 AND ONCE LATER ANOTHER YEAR PLUS ONCE IN A DRIVEWAY (CAR PURCHASED USED IN THE FALL OF 2005). THE SAAB SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND IF IT IS HIT IT SWITCHES OFF AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR, SAME AS RECALLED SWITCHES IN OTHER GM CARS. VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT I WAS LUCKY …
NHTSA ODI #10576665ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 95. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED TO REPAIR THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
NHTSA ODI #10568730TIRES,WHEELS
ON FEB 20, 2013, I WENT TO GILLYS, A LOCAL TIRE COMPANY, SOLD ME TWO TIRES AND WELDED A CRACKED RIM. ON MAR 2, 2013 THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND UPON INSPECTION AT WALMART AUTOMOTIVE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TIRE WAS ILLEGALLY PLUGGED ON INNER WALL. THE RIM HAD RECRACKED. THIS VIOLATES 49 CFR 570.10 WHEEL ASSEMBLIES. THE COMPANY THAT SOLD ME THE FAULTY TIRES WITHOUT …
NHTSA ODI #10503504SEAT BELTS
HELLO...I NEED TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP. I HAVE A 2002 SAAB 9-5 WHICH HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. IT DOES NOT RETRACT AND THEREFORE THE PASSENGER IS UNPROTECTED. I KNOW THAT SAAB HAS A HISTORY OF THIS BEING A PROBLEM. MY ATTEMPTS TO GET SOME HELP FROM SAAB HAVE BEEN FUTILE. IF THIS WAS A MINOR ITEM, I WOULD JUST PAY TO HAVE IT FIX…
NHTSA ODI #10481290AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
HAD A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, CAR PULLED OUT GOING ACROSS INTERSECTION, HIT HEAD-ON. SLAMMED ON BRAKES NOTICING SHE WAS GOING, AND SLAMMED INTO HER CAR, HER CAR TURNED AROUND 180 DEGS. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK UP, WHICH ALLOWED ME TO GO FORWARD IN THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10359106SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. JUST RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD A SPRING POPPING SOUND NEAR PASSENGER DOOR. THEN PASSENGER BELT WENT LIMP WITH PERSON IN THE SEAT. THE BELT HAD NO TENSION AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID NO RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER AS…
NHTSA ODI #10351185ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-5. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION UPON RESTARTING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL IGNI…
NHTSA ODI #10334616+ 57 more complaints on record.






