What is the 1999-2009 Saab 9-5 9-5 Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure?

Same DIC failure mode as 9-3 — 1999-2009 9-5 with the B235 2.3L turbo (Linear/Arc/Vector NA variants are B205) suffers DIC degradation. Saab dealers used to stock these by the dozen. Often the first part to fail on a high-mileage 9-5. Repairs typically run $80-$400. Severity: high.

What is the 1999-2003 Saab 9-5 9-5 B235 Turbo Oil Sludge — Class Action Settlement?

Early 2.3L B235 turbo Saab 9-5 (1999-2003 most affected) had an oil-sludge issue serious enough to trigger a class-action lawsuit and warranty extension. Root cause: undersized oil sump + tight PCV system + factory-recommended 10,000-mile oil change intervals combined to coke oil… Repairs typically run $100-$6,000. Severity: high.

What is the 1999-2009 Saab 9-5 Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure?

The Direct Ignition Cassette, which sits directly on top of the spark plugs and combines the coils into one unit, is a frequent failure point on the four-cylinder cars. Underhood heat and valve-cover gasket oil leaks contaminating the coil pack degrade the cassette over time, cau… Repairs typically run $250-$600. Severity: high.

What is the 1999-2009 Saab 9-5 Engine Oil Sludge in 2.0T/2.3T Four-Cylinder?

The B205/B235 four-cylinder turbo engines are notoriously prone to oil sludge buildup that clogs the fine oil-pickup screen in the sump, starving the engine of oil and leading to bearing or turbo failure. Contributing factors include an undersized/overworked PCV crankcase ventila… Repairs typically run $200-$6,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2002-2009 Saab 9-5 5-Speed Automatic Transmission Limp Mode / Valve Body Faults?

The automatic 9-5 can drop into limp mode (locked in a single gear until restart) and develop slipping or harsh shifts. Early versions of the 5-speed automatic introduced around 2002 had valve-body and software issues; common triggers include the torque-converter lock-up solenoid… Repairs typically run $300-$3,000. Severity: high.

What is the 1999-2009 Saab 9-5 Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) Hot No-Start?

The crankshaft position sensor on the first-generation 9-5 (B235 engine) is a very common failure item. As it degrades it tends to fail when the engine is hot, producing the classic 'hot no-start': the engine cranks but will not fire when warm, then restarts after cooling. It can… Repairs typically run $100-$350. Severity: high.

What is the 1999-2009 Saab 9-5 9-5 Saab Information Display (SID) Missing-Pixel Failure?

1999-2009 9-5 (and 1999-2003 9-3) SID — the small dot-matrix display in the center dash that shows radio info, climate, trip computer — develops missing pixel rows starting around 100,000 miles. The flex-cable connection between the LCD glass and PCB degrades. Often presents as h… Repairs typically run $30-$250. Severity: low.

What is the 1999-2009 Saab 9-5 SID Display Dead/Missing Pixels?

The Saab Information Display (SID) and the automatic climate control display almost universally develop missing or fading pixels as the cars age, making the clock, trip computer, radio and ACC readouts hard or impossible to read. The root cause is the ribbon cable connecting the… Repairs typically run $25-$150. Severity: low.

Saab · Known Issues

2003 Saab 9-5 Problems: 10 Known Issues

2003 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2003 Saab 9-5 has 10 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are Fuel Line Leak from Damaged Pump Retaining Tabs - NHTSA Recall 07V087, V6 Ignition Discharge Module (IGBT) Overheating - NHTSA Recall 05V399/06V410, 9-5 Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure ($80-$400 repair), 9-5 B235 Turbo Oil Sludge — Class Action Settlement ($100-$6,000 repair), Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure ($250-$600 repair), Engine Oil Sludge in 2.0T/2.3T Four-Cylinder ($200-$6,000 repair), 5-Speed Automatic Transmission Limp Mode / Valve Body Faults ($300-$3,000 repair) and Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) Hot No-Start ($100-$350 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $25 to $6,000. DIY maintenance guides at .

All 10 Known Issues

When Issues Typically Appear

9-5 Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure

60K-200K

9-5 B235 Turbo Oil Sludge — Class Action Settlement

60K-150K

9-5 Saab Information Display (SID) Missing-Pixel Failure

80K-250K

063K125K188K250K mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Saab 9-5 problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2003 Saab 9-5 has 10 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Fuel Line Leak from Damaged Pump Retaining Tabs - NHTSA Recall 07V087, V6 Ignition Discharge Module (IGBT) Overheating - NHTSA Recall 05V399/06V410, 9-5 Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure. Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Saab 9-5 reliable?

The 2003 Saab 9-5 has 10 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 8 issues are rated critical: Fuel Line Leak from Damaged Pump Retaining Tabs - NHTSA Recall 07V087 and V6 Ignition Discharge Module (IGBT) Overheating - NHTSA Recall 05V399/06V410 and 9-5 Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure and 9-5 B235 Turbo Oil Sludge — Class Action Settlement and Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure and Engine Oil Sludge in 2.0T/2.3T Four-Cylinder and 5-Speed Automatic Transmission Limp Mode / Valve Body Faults and Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) Hot No-Start. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Saab 9-5 problems?

Repair costs for known Saab 9-5 issues range from $25 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2001-2005 Saab 9-5 Fuel Line Leak from Damaged Pump Retaining Tabs - NHTSA Recall 07V087?

NHTSA campaign 07V087 covers certain 2001-2005 Saab 9-5 vehicles whose fuel-pump retaining tabs for the fuel-line connections may have been damaged during production. A connection can loosen and leak fuel, creating a fire risk in the presence of an ignition source. Applicability… Severity: high.

All 10 Known Issues

When Issues Typically Appear

2001-2003 Saab 9-5: V6 Ignition Discharge Module (IGBT) Overheating - NHTSA Recall 05V399/06V410#

1999-2009 Saab 9-5: 9-5 Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure#

1999-2003 Saab 9-5: 9-5 B235 Turbo Oil Sludge — Class Action Settlement#

1999-2009 Saab 9-5: Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure#

1999-2009 Saab 9-5: Engine Oil Sludge in 2.0T/2.3T Four-Cylinder#

1999-2009 Saab 9-5: Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) Hot No-Start#

2001-2005 Saab 9-5: Fuel Line Leak from Damaged Pump Retaining Tabs - NHTSA Recall 07V087#

2002-2009 Saab 9-5: 5-Speed Automatic Transmission Limp Mode / Valve Body Faults#

1999-2009 Saab 9-5: 9-5 Saab Information Display (SID) Missing-Pixel Failure#

1999-2009 Saab 9-5: SID Display Dead/Missing Pixels#

Other Saab Models