Saab 9-5 won't start problems

Filed May 10, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NJ · fire

I purchased my 2004 Saab 9-5 in 2023. I was under the impression that everything was running and that drivability was proper. When I attempted to drive the automobile it would start, idle 7 minutes and stall. It would not start again for about 35 minutes. I tried to use it, and this behavior continued. Often, in traffic it would stall while I was moving at low speed, and moderate speed: Without warning, it cuts out and won't start for 40 minutes. I have spent money with my mechanic, over $1,000. I personally bought many parts: MAF sensor, fuel pump relay, fuel filter, and fuel pump. I replaced the Coolant Sensor. After all this the vehicle still stalls 5 minutes after warmup. If it drives to warm up, it stalls and won't restart for 40 minutes. After I replaced the Crankshaft Position Sensor, (CPS), it has never restarted. I bought 3, one a Bosch branded model, and It has never restarted. Many other drivers complain in forums, like Saab Forums, that they are experiencing the same problems. As you know, stalling at highway speeds can cause death. Clearly the problems with the Saab motorcars, produced, owned, and sold through General Motors, are something that poses a hazard, and should be repaired at GM dealership's expense. P.S. The vehicle's immobilizer device has caused my vehicle to not start at all. The key fobs have stopped functioning at all. I replaced the batteries, and they won't connect to the engine. The vehicle will crank, but no start. Battery runs down, with crank, but no start behavior. Can General Motors either: 1. replace the entire engine, 2. repair the "stall, no restart" situation, 3. moreover repair my seeming to be, "anti-theft system, no start" situation, called DICE/TWICEsystem, 4. achieving an actual fix for these older, but cherished sporting cars? Please check these links for confirming information: saabforums.com/forum/saab9-5-12/engine-turns-over--but-wont-start-9066/ www.saabcentral.com/threads/cranks-but-wont-start.689898/

Filed Aug 2, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 131,000 miles · KY

After driving my car to my destination, I put the car in park but the car won't stay in park. The car pops out of park into reverse, then it won't start when I get back into my car.

Filed Mar 19, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 50,030 miles · NY

I was driving the car when suddenly the car when dead while I was driving it.I was lucky that I was able to restart it and there was a gas station right near by. It did not start up normally and was very sluggish. I was in the middle of traffic when this happened but fortunately not heavy traffic and in the right lane. It was very scary. They towed my saab to a saab dealer for me who had to install a new ignition. This happened about 4-5 years ago on my saab 2003 9-5 station wagon which was built by gm. I believe it was built on the same platform of one of the cadillacs that is under recall.

Filed Feb 9, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 112,000 miles · CT

I was driving approximately 30-35 MPH down a four lane road when the car stalled leaving me with no power at the accelerator. It became very difficult to steer the car and the brake pedal became very hard to depress. Luckily I was able to coast off the road where the car came to a complete stop blocking the entrance/exit of a gas station. I was less then 200 feet from where I was turning onto the entrance ramp of a highway. The gas station attendant was very upset telling me I can not leave my car there. The car would not start after several attempts. The car was towed to the mechanic. The car has been at the service station for over 2 weeks now. The technician is unable to find the reason the car stalled. However he explained that the fuel pump and the fuel pump relay are operational. He also explained that there is no electricity getting to the fuel pump. He has already replaced the crankshaft position sensor and is in the process of checking all sensors and relays. During my own research, I have found that these cars have faulty electrical systems with many recalls on the direct ignition cassette (dic). At this point, we do not know what caused the problem. I am a single mother with 2 young children and rely on this automobile on a daily basis. In fact, I had just dropped my daughter (9 years old) off at dancing school. I was just on the highway 20 minutes prior to dropping my daughter off at dancing school. I am extremely concerned that this will happen again. I can not afford to have this problem happen without cause and warning. Would you please forward me any information via e-mail or regular mail that would help assure me this problem will never happen again. If you know this car is problematic then please inform me to sell the car so I can get a more reliable car that will prevent the risk of injury or death to me and my family.

Filed Aug 4, 2009 · 59,000 miles · CT

Ign cassettes failed (car wouldn't start, towed, very expensive to repair). A mechanic said the ign cassettes on my saab model were not under recall (but maybe should be).

Filed Jun 5, 2009 · Electrical · 89,074 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saab 9-5. The contact noticed that the engine warning light would sporadically illuminate on the instrument panel. She also experienced a no start condition. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalls without warning. The idm was the cause of the failures. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v399000 (electrical system:ignition:module) in 2006; therefore, they would not assume any responsibility. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 89,074.

Filed Mar 25, 2009 · Electrical · 127,125 miles · NY

My 2003 saab 9-5 arc v6 3.0turbo has begun having issues with the ignition. It frequently will not start. It turns over but the engine will not completely fire. In addition, once it does start it will often stall out. This generally happens when switching from park to drive or reverse or when at a stoplight/stop sign. Once the car stalls it does not just restart. The spark plugs are all new and no lines are broken/damaged. I have examined recalls on this car and recall05087/15021b describes my problem and my model of car is listed yet I am told that this recall does not apply to my VIN number. This has happened for a few months. I am listing the incident date as today's date.

Filed May 1, 2007 · Electrical · 93,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-5 se. The contact stated that the vehicle often stalled while driving or will not start at all. When driving at various speeds under any condition the vehicle would stall. The vehicle would not restart after it reached the normal operating temperature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer , and found that recall # 05v399000 concerning electrical system:ignition:module may possibly been the cause of the failure. This vehiclewas not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 93,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2007 · Electrical · 47,863 miles · IN

I own a saab 2001 95 4dr sedan with 58k miles and the car just shuts down while driving or doesn't start up initially. My wife was in traffic when this problem occurred and almost had an accident. A local repair service indicated a electrical problem and suggested we get in contact with saab motor co.

Filed Oct 2, 2006 · Electrical · 71,000 miles · NJ

Leaving the I-287 in nj friday around 3.30 pm the car started to loose power by not responding to any throttle pressure. I pulled over to the right hand side as soon as I could and came to a faltering halt on the exit ramp. I turned the ignition off and on again to see if any warning display information was given. I looked under the bonnet but could see no sign of any leakage or excess heat. I got back in and started it again and it fired up but only with little power and would hardly rev up. I wanted to move forward off of the exit ramp as I was in a very dangerous position on a fast uphill gradual 90 degree two lane ramp with no shoulder, there was traffic coming constantly, it was friday afternoon and pouring with rain. When ever I put it into gear it would start to move but as it was uphill it was not very productive. I gave up after the engine stalled and would not start again, but did manage to get the car as close to the right hand barriers as possible so that traffic could pass me without straddling lanes. I called my local garage who arranged for a breakdown truck to come and get me. In the 45 mins it took to for them to get me I was extremely nervous that a truck or fast car would hit into the rear of my car, so I had the hazard lights on and kept my foot on the brake to illuminate the brake lights. It was a dangerous position to be in and the traffic was building quickly for the evening rush. The tow truck got to me at around 4.30 pm and took me and the car to my local garage. The garage diagnosed the idm units as failed, and replaced them. Once I had the car back, the very next day the check engine light came on and this has been identified as being the catalytic converter being faulty, which I understand is a result of the ignition units failing and unburned fuel being pumped in to the unit.