Complaints
74
Crashes
3
Fires
6
Injuries
3
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Saab 9-5 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#117 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:32,420 mi
#215 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
Avg mileage:59,378 mi
Fires:2
#36 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition
Avg mileage:34,208 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Saab 9-5.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 17 | — | — | 32,420 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 15 | — | 2 | 59,378 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 | — | — | 34,208 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
32,420
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
59,378
Electrical System:Ignition
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,208
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Saab 9-5. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Saab 9-5 Years
2002 Saab 9-5 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Saab 9-5 reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 Saab 9-5 has 74 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 17 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Saab 9-5?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (17 complaints, avg 32,420 mi); Electrical System:Ignition:Module (15 complaints, avg 59,378 mi); Electrical System:Ignition (6 complaints, avg 34,208 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Saab 9-5?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 43,344 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Saab 9-5?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Saab 9-5 include 3 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Saab 9-5 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Saab 9-5 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Saab 9-5?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Saab 9-5 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Saab 9-5
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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