2001 Saab 9-5 engine problems

Filed Apr 20, 2009 · Engine · 98,300 miles · NH

The first time the oil light came on was in mid october 2006, after about an hour of driving. There was no other indication of a problem (noise, vibration, change in handling, etc). The oil had recently been changed, but it was rechecked and topped off on the side of the road anyway. Everything seemed good for about 20 min when the oil light came back on during a turn. I was on my way to the airport so I parked the car and took it to a service shop two days later when I returned. It was given an oil change and an overall check. The oil light did not come on during the test drive. I drove it home with no explanation as to why the oil light came on in the first place. In early 2007, the same thing happened again. This time the engine light came on too. Everything was checked over and nothing found wrong. Even the sensors were working fine. For the next year and a half, the oil and engine lights would go on and off at odd intervals accompanied by no other signs. Sometimes they would only flicker on and off during a short drive and other times they would stay on for weeks and then going off again for no reason. Each time, the oil and engine would be looked over and nothing found to be wrong. The last time there was an issue was on june 13th 2008. I was driving for about an hour and the oil light and engine light came on, this time accompanied by a ticking sound from the engine. I immediately pulled over at the next exit and had the car towed. After another checkover, we were told that the engine is failing due to sludge build up and that it would need to be replaced. It has 98,300 miles on it. All regular services were done, and oil changes were done at more frequent intervals than stated in the owners manual. We were told it would cost between $5000.00 to $9000.00 depending on what type of replacement motor was found (new or used). The vehicle is still sitting in our garage and has not been driven. The saab company refuses any responsibility.

Filed Nov 6, 2008 · Engine · 101,507 miles · CO

On wednesday, october 30, 2008 at approximately 4:45 pm I experienced a sudden vehicle engine stop. This occurred on a residential 4-lane street while traveling in the right hand lane at approximately 30 MPH. The vehicle was a 2001 saab 95 arc wagon. . The vehicle suddenly started to run rough and then the engine completely shut off. This caused me to have to glide the auto to the right hand side of the road where there was a curb. I thus remained in a lane of traffic with a disabled vehicle. The cause was a defective crank shaft position sensor. When this becomes inoperative the computer that controls engine management shuts down and disables the car. This required a tow to the dealer repair shop. And it required a new crank shaft sensor part to be installed. The old part is not available. The main irk about this is this is the second time I have replaced this part in 15 months. The original sensor that came wit the car when I purchased it new lasted 87,199 miles and 5.5 years. The second sensor was replaced on july 16, 2007. The third sensor was replaced at 101,507 miles...a mere 15 months and 13 days with a mileage usage of 14,308 miles. Had this failure in october 2008 occurred just 5 minutes before when I was traveling on a six-lane interstate at 60 MPH I would have had a serious problem drifting across several lanes of traffic in order to pull over for safety. I believe that saab has a supplier providing them with an inferior part.

Filed Oct 22, 2008 · Engine · 80,030 miles · NC

Random engine cutoff when driving, loosing power steering capability at the same time. Most often happened when approaching intersection at the time when car speed was lowered. Happened on multiple days.

Filed Nov 17, 2006 · Engine · 71,000 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated the engine died while the vehicle was traveling 60 MPH, almost causing an accident. The service dealer determined the vehicle needed a new engine. The consumer had the engine replaced. Updated 01/26/07.

Filed Oct 2, 2006 · Engine · KS

I am not sure if this is where I file a potential fire hazard my 2001 saab 9-5 ce ,the head on the engine is leaking oil down the engine block, near and onto the exhaust pipe. The leak is on the back rearward side of the engine toward the drive belt. Having been on the saabnet.net forum for saab owners , I realize that I am not alone with this problem.

Filed Sep 22, 2006 · Acceleration, Engine · 73,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds in heavy traffic, the engine stalled without warning. There was a loss of all vehicle power, and the engine would not restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealership who determined the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. After the replacement of the serpentine belt, the problem persisted. The vehicle was again inspected by a dealer who determined the throttle body casing needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified.

Filed Aug 3, 2006 · Engine · 59,400 miles · NC

At 8:00 pm this evening, I went to dinner. Everything was working normally on my car. At 8:20 pm, twenty minutes later, I start my car and it enters "limp-home" mode with a blinking check engine light, indicating misfire. Given the way the car was acting, the timing belt has broken. In my research, I have found this motor is a gm l81 motor, 3.0l v6. This motor has also been used in the saturn vue and cadillac catera. According to the federal safety agency records, there was a recall on timing belts for the 97-2002 cateras. As stated earlier, this is the same motor in my 2001 saab 9-5 se v6 3.0l.

Filed Jul 12, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 43,701 miles · TX

2001 saab 9-5, consumer has not received reimbursement for the recall work done on the vehicle. *kb the consumer received a recall letter in the mail one month later, after the repairs were already paid for. When the consumer called to inquire about her refund, she was told by the manufacturer, that they didn't have all of the paperwork and also they didn't have her address. Nine months later, the consumer still has not received reimbursement. The catalytic converter was replaced.

Filed Apr 27, 2006 · Engine · NC

2001 saab 9-5 idm is defective, consumer was told that all the spark plugs need to be replaced. *ts *nm***nar***

Filed Apr 26, 2006 · Engine · 117,785 miles · MI

The consumer received a letter from saab stating that problems with the idm could cause reduced power and rough operation. The consumer experienced this problem with his 2001 saab 9/5. *nm the check engine light began to flash prior to the vehicle stalling.