All of these repairs in about a two year period: ABS module, oil cooler, throttle body, upper radiator hose, and both dic cassettes. This is completely unacceptable for what was originally a $40k car. I have loved saab's since my childhood, but this one car has completely turned me off of them. First the ABS module went, had it rebuilt ($150) and no improvement. So I bought a new one ($350). Then just after that the throttle body died ($450). Then just a few months later the oil cooler ($1100) went out. It ran smooth for a short time, but then both dic's died at the same time ($850). It is time for this car to go away, and I will never buy another saab. Why is there a recall on the dic for all subsequent years, but no the 1999's? Thank saab!!!
1999 Saab 9-5 electrical problems
70 complaints (59% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 73,000.
- owner complaints
- 70
- of this car's complaints
- 59%
- typical mileage
- 73,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Ignition: module41
- Ignition22
- 12v/24v/48v battery3
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Saab 9-5 electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Saab 9-5 electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Engine stall/ engine compartment fires
Odi opened pe05-017 based on 35 reports of alleged engine stalling due to the failure of the idm cassette on the subject vehicles.all complainants reported that the engine shut down suddenly without warning and most reported that the vehicle would not restart.in 3 incidents, the complainants reported smoke and/or fire resulted from the idm failure.during pe05-017, additional failure data was identified as noted in the failure report summary above.the complaint data represents incidents where the complainants alleged a stall or fire.on september 13, 2005, general motors (gm) notified the federal safety agency of a safety defect on 95,081 my 2000-2002 saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles with 4-cylinder gasoline engines and 8,117 my 2001 9-5 vehicles with 6- cylinder gasoline engines (recall 05v‑399).the notification stated that certain vehicles within these populations may experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the idm due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads.overheating of the igbt occurs most often at engine start-up for both a 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engine, but it may also occur while the engine is running.when the idm fails on a 4-cylinder while it is running, the engine may stall without warning, with no ability to be restarted.when the idm fails on a 6-cylinder engine while it is running, the driver will initially experience reduced power and rough operation because the engine will only be running on three cylinders.the check engine light will flash.if the driver continues, unburnt fuel in the exhaust can cause thermal damage to the catalytic converter.the engine may stall and not restart.thermal damage to other underhood components and the underbody may also result from prolonged driving.the recall population encompasses 84% of the stalling and fire complaints (215 for vehicles with 4-cylinder engines and 36 for vehicles with 6-cylinder engines).the 36 months in service (mis) stalling rates for each model year of recalled vehicles with 4-cylinder engines were all greater than two percent.although the 36 mis stall rate for the recalled my 2001 vehicles with v6 engines was lower, at 1.3 percent, these vehicles also had the highest rate of confirmed (open flame verified) fires at 62 per 100,000 vehicles.gm will instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer for idm inspection and replacement, if necessary.consequently, this investigation is closed.odi will monitor the effectiveness of the scope and remedy of gm's action and take further action if warranted.
PE05017
What 1999 Saab 9-5 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 1999 saab's direct ignition cassette has failed -- a very common occurrence in this model, for which a recall was issued. That recall, however, excluded 1999 model years for reasons unknown to anyone I have spoken with. My car is essentially identical to a 2000 saab 9-5, which is covered under recall. Had my part failed while driving, I would have been left with no power brakes, steering, etc... This is my wife's car, in which we carry our newborn daughter. It's a very low-mileage car (83k miles) that I take meticulous care of. This part should not fail, and should certainly be recalled if a pattern of failures exists (which it does). Thank you!
Ignition cassette failure.
1999 saab 9-5 engine just shuts down while driving or idling. There was a recall of the ignition control unit on the 2000. Dealer said it's the same problem on the 1999 but wasn't included in the recall. Icm has been replaced twice at the dealer, the last time being 2 years ago and needs to be replaced again. Gm says nothing they can do since the 1999 wasn't included in the recall. Someone is going to get hurt taking an off ramp on the highway and having the car just turn off.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 saab 9-5. The contact stated that her ignition cassette was failing and needed to be replaced. When she starts her vehicle, it moves sluggishly and makes noise. The check engine indicator remains illuminated and an excessive amount of fumes exit the exhaust. The dealer stated that the ignition cassette needed to be replaced and was harming the engine. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 saab 9-5. While driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions, pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal and there was excessively low power. The vehicle was operating roughly and was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the failure was related to the ignition cassettes. The vehicle was repaired. On a separate occasion, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an identical failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 73,000 and current mileage was 109,000.
I was driving down a hill (jackman st. At water st., appleton wi) when my '99 saab, went dead. At the bottom of the hill there is a blind turn to the left, a stop sign, and a railroad crossing just beyond the intersection. This is a very dangerous spot to have your car fail and have no power to the brakes or steering. The reason my car stalled was a failure of the ignition cassette. The first time this part failed, in 2002, the situation was not as dangerous, and then it was covered by warranty. I contacted saab customer service and sent a photo of the hill. They responded by phone that there have been no recalls for this part, nor would there be a recall. They refused to cover the cost of the tow and repair. I think that leaves saab owners vulnerable to accidents. I was lucky to be able to pull off at the bottom of the hill without hitting a train or causing serious injury to anyone.
Dash board digital display (referred to as sid) inoperative and unable to report vital safety related information.
Direct ignition cassette failure. It caused the car to stall in an intersection. I was in a traffic lane turning left with oncoming traffic when it failed. I replaced it at the dealer for $400.00.
I have a saab 9-5 1999 wagon. My direct ignition cassette is overheating causing the car to miss. I checked online and found a recall on these cassettes. The recall though only covers years 2000-2002. My car is a few months before the recall and is having the same problem.
Questions about the 1999 Saab 9-5 electrical
Does the 1999 Saab 9-5 have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 70 complaints about the electrical of the 1999 Saab 9-5, 59% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1999 Saab 9-5 electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 73,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1999 Saab 9-5 electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Saab 9-5 have the most electrical problems?
The Saab 9-5 model years with the most electrical complaints are 1999 (70 complaints), 2000 (57 complaints) and 2001 (56 complaints).
Other 1999 Saab 9-5 problems
Engine 17Brakes 9Fuel system 8Airbags 4Seat belts 3Tires 3Transmission 3Wheels 3Acceleration 2Body 2Lights 2Visibility 2Steering 1Suspension 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1999 Saab 9-5?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history