Model year guide

2001 Saab 9-5

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 Saab 9-5 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 18 on record.

2001 Saab 9-5 — representative photo
Representative photo

2001 Saab 9-5 at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints85
Combined19–22 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2001 Saab 9-5 recalls 4

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #07V087000 · manufacturer #07052 · 07/03/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Electrical System:ignition:module NHTSA Campaign #05V399000 · manufacturer #15021 · 14/09/2005

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF QP3. AN INTERIM LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS IN OCTOBER 2005, INFORMING THEM OF THE CONDITION. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO BRING THE…

Wheels:hub NHTSA Campaign #03V006000 · manufacturer #15013 · 13/01/2003

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 AW…

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED BY MAIL AND ASKED WHETHER THEY CHANGE BETWEEN STEEL AND ALLOY WHEELS. IF THEY DO ENGAGE IN THIS PRACTICE, THEY WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO BRING THEIR CARS TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE WHEELS, CLEAN ANY CONTAMINATION FROM THE WHEEL AND WHEEL HUB, AND REPLAC…

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #01V168000 · 18/05/2001

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE SUNVISOR SURFACE AND APPLY A NEW AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON BOTH SUNVISORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAA…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2001 Saab 9-5 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.

2001 Saab 9-5 MPG & running costs

Combined19–22 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,770
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,850 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2001 Saab 9-5 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,850
Fuel only$18,850
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
189.4 in
Width
70.5 in
Height
57.1–59.1 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,450–3,704 lb
Front track
59.8 in
Rear track
59.8 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2001 Saab 9-5 — ranges cover the 6 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 4

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2001 Saab 9-5. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

On certain vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire. Correction: Dealers will install a bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even…

Transport Canada #2007059 · Mar 2007

Electrical

Certain 2000-2002 Saab 9-3 and 9-5 model vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder gasoline engines, and 2001-2003 9-5 models equipped with 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. Overheating of the IGBT occurs most o…

Transport Canada #2005271 · Sep 2005

Other

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210. The required markings for the child tether anchorage hooks are missing in the luggage compartment area. Correction: Dealers will install the required adhesive label to the luggage compartment loading floor in the near vicinity of the three anchorage hooks.

Transport Canada #2005179 · Jun 2005

Suspension

On certain vehicles, when changing back and forth between alloy and steel wheels (as for winter tires), rust and other contaminates may build up on the mating surface of the wheel hubs. If this surface is not cleaned between wheel changes, uneven torque forces may cause wheel bolts to fracture. Although this is most likely to happen during wheel change service, it is possible t…

Transport Canada #2002247 · Dec 2002

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Saab 9-5

The Saab 9-5 is an executive car, manufactured and marketed by Saab from 1997 to 2012, across two generations.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2001 Saab 9-5 vehicles on record

2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3CC550XH1017738 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EH49G123003263 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EH45G513053555 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EF49E623022976 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EH45G723023152 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C113040708 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3ED45C213049164 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EF48Z813060437 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3ED55E623023384 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EF55L823000603 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C013034611 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EF55C513042743 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EF45E613029625 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EF48C813025733 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EH48G013058982 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EH48G713006717 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3ED55E923009561 2001 Saab 9-5 2001 Saab 9-5YS3EF45E213054649

Other Saab 9-5 model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2000 1999 1998 1997

2001 Saab 9-5 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Saab 9-5 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2001 Saab 9-5. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Saab 9-5?

Across all 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine and engine cooling, fuel system.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Saab 9-5 get?

The 2001 Saab 9-5 has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.