2002 Saab 95 problems

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The Saab 95 is a seven-seater, two-door station wagon which was produced by Saab from 1959 to 1978.

Initially it was based on the Saab 93 sedan, but the model's development throughout the years followed closely that of the Saab 96 after the 93 was taken off the market in 1960. It was introduced in 1959, but because only 40 were made in 1959, production is often said to have started in 1960.

The first engine was an 841 cc three-cylinder two-stroke, but from 1967 onward, it became available with the same four-stroke Ford Taunus V4 engine as used in the Saab 96, the Saab Sonett V4 and Sonett III, and the German Ford Taunus. It had a four-speed manual transmission. There was a small handle on the firewall that, when pushed, put the car into a "freewheeling" mode. This allowed the driver to coast downhill without seizing the two-stroke engine, but when power was needed the transmission would engage and the driver could power the car up hill again. As the 95 received the four-speed gearbox before the 96 (that still had the old three-speed unit) it was also used for rallying.

In the US, the Saab 95 received the larger 1.7 litre V4 for the 1971 model year, as a response to tighter emissions regulations. The compression ratio was lowered to 8.0:1, meaning that the power remained at 73 hp (54 kW). The Saab 95/96 remained on sale in the United States until 1973.

A rear-facing folding seat was dropped with the 1976 model year, making the car a regular five-seater. Production ended in 1978 (when only 470 examples were built). A total of 110,527 were made.

For certain markets (Norway, Denmark) a special export version sedan delivery van was available without a rear seat and rear side windows.

2002 Saab 95

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Common 2002 Saab 95 problems

The Saab 95 2002 is known to have several common problems that owners have reported. These issues can be categorized into electrical problems, engine problems, transmission problems, suspension problems, body and exterior issues, and interior problems.

Electrical problems are a common issue in the Saab 95 2002. The car's electrical system may experience problems such as a dead battery or issues with the alternator. The ignition switch, dashboard lights, and power windows are also known to have issues

Engine problems are another common issue in the Saab 95 2002. Some owners have reported issues with oil sludge buildup, which can cause engine damage and failure. Additionally, the engine may experience issues such as turbo failure, problems with the timing chain, and overheating

Transmission problems are also common in the Saab 95 2002. The automatic transmission may experience issues such as slipping gears, hard shifting, and problems with the torque converter

Suspension problems are a common issue in the Saab 95 2002. The car's suspension may experience issues with worn out shocks, struts, and bushings, which can cause excessive vibrations, noise, and a rough ride

Body and exterior issues are also common in the Saab 95 2002. The car is known to have issues with rust, especially around the wheel arches, and the car's paint may fade or peel over time. Additionally, some owners have reported issues with the car's headlights, which can be expensive to replace

Interior problems are also common in the Saab 95 2002. The car's interior is not very durable and can show wear and tear over time. The green-backlit LED display can become difficult to read with age and is expensive to replace.

It is important to note that not all Saab 95 2002 models will experience these problems, and it is always recommended to have a mechanic inspect the car before purchasing to identify any potential problems and to have a better understanding of the condition of the car. It is also essential to ensure that the vehicle has been properly maintained and has undergone regular servicing to avoid any problems that may arise in the future.

2002 Saab 95 engine

What year of Saab is the most reliable?

The Saab 900 (1994-1998) is a mid-size luxury car produced by the Swedish automaker Saab. It is the fourth generation of the Saab 900 series. Known for its Scandinavian design, innovative features, and solid build quality, the Saab 900 (1994-1998) is considered one of the most reliable Saabs in its lineup.

Is a Saab 95 good?

A great, reassuring, sold safe family cruiser that turns heads due to its rarity. I have a 2009 1.9 TID diesel and have been very impressed with its fuel economy, dropping to 4.7 litre/100km on a long run. Its an automatic too and drives like a luxury car, but when the turbo kicks in it has decent acceleration.

How reliable is a Saab car?

The 9-3 is one of the most reliable and cost-efficient vehicles in the market. Some of its issues can be tedious to deal with, but most of them are preventable and repairable. If you're thinking of buying the Saab 9-3, keep in mind the importance of proper maintenance and repair.

How long does a Saab turbo last?

Turbos are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle (or around 150,000 miles); however, it's possible for them to wear out over time depending on how hard you drive the car and the original build quality of the turbo.

2002 Saab 95 complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2002 Saab 95.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

Negative 2002 Saab 95 car reviews

  1. Josue Nolan 2025-02-25

    We purchased our 9-5 off a lease with typical lease mileage. Since then, we have addressed a few issues, including the costly and frustrating replacement of the SID (Saab Info. Display) and the need for frequent turbo adjustments. Additionally, we experienced some stalling issues, which we were able to resolve. We have also had to replace a few lights. While the vehicle is not the most fuel-efficient, we are confident in its overall performance and reliability.

  2. Faustino Senger 2025-02-11

    I purchased this car in mint condition last spring and have driven about 20K miles on it. While driving on the highway is great, especially here in Europe, I have noticed a few things that are starting to drive me nuts. For instance, there is only one cup holder and no armrests, and there are way too many buttons for the heater. I would prefer dials so that I can concentrate on driving and not have to search for a button and almost wreck. Additionally, I think the key should be on the steering column, where I keep my cell phone, wallet, etc. I would also appreciate wipers that I can set to my preferred speed, rather than relying on an electronic sensor that is always too fast or too slow for me. The display is constantly missing pixels, and the reverse help never seems to work. Finally, the key batteries die very quickly. Despite these issues, I have had no problems with the engine or transmission.

  3. Chet Kling 2024-10-11

    This car was a disappointment. The performance tires were not suitable for snowy conditions, and the dealer refused to exchange them for regular ones. Additionally, there were several flats and interior issues during the year that I owned it.

  4. Jordyn Lang 2024-09-24

    This car has been in the shop for 45 days in the last 18 months due to various issues such as transmission hesitation, sunroof malfunction, engine light coming on, and climate control problems. Despite our disappointment, we remain confident in our decision to move on from Saab and explore other options. We believe that our experience with this car is not representative of Saab's overall quality and we look forward to finding a more reliable vehicle.

Positive 2002 Saab 95 car reviews

  1. Dalton Homenick 2025-03-20

    What an awesome car! It's amazing how long these Aeros can last when you take good care of them. This one has over 300k miles and is still going strong. The design may not be for everyone, but us Saab people get it. Plus, it's a fast car with great gas mileage. In my opinion, this Aero is one of the best Saabs I've ever owned. I also love my '91 900t 5 speed vert!

  2. Jaylan Eichmann 2025-03-14

    I recently purchased my second 9-5 and opted for the Aero model. I am so glad I did! For the past 6 years, I have been driving a '99 9-5 for business purposes, and the two vehicles are as different as can be. I can no longer stand getting behind the wheel of my '99. The Aero has plush seats, a quieter ride, better looks, and an engine that craves the pavement. Countless friends who own overpriced German cars have taken a ride in mine and come out saying, 'WOW!' The car's athletic handling and passing ability are unreal. I usually drive at a steady pace, but on occasion, I have to show obnoxious drivers who's boss. BMW and VW drivers look dazed at the stoplight!

  3. Agustin Pouros 2025-03-12

    Congratulations on your new car! It sounds like you made a great choice with the 9-5 Linear and performance package. The combination of comfort and performance seems to be just right for you. It's impressive to hear that the car handles so well at high speeds and that the sound system (harmon kardon 200 watt) provides such deep bass. It's great to know that you're enjoying a quiet ride as well. It's always a good feeling to know that you didn't have to spend more to get such a great ride. Enjoy your new car!

  4. Leo Wyman 2025-03-04

    You spend a great deal of time in your car, averaging 30,000+ miles per year. It's great to hear that it's comfortable, fun to drive, and gets great gas mileage (about 27.5 - 28 mpg, if you stay out of the turbo charger!). The car has solid performance and sticks to the road nicely -- it's wonderful that you love the Michelin Pilot Sport tires (just bought another set for it). It's unfortunate to hear that you had only one bad experience with your car, related to a recall on the headlamp assemblies that was not completed correctly. However, it's great to know that the factory eventually responded to your call and took care of the issue.

  5. Dominic Jaskolski 2025-02-03

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share my thoughts on the Saab 9-5 Aero. In my experience, it's definitely the way to go! The 4-cylinder engine is surprisingly powerful and the low profile performance tires make for some seriously tenacious cornering. Everyone who rides in this car is always pleasantly surprised by the handling and acceleration. As someone who spends a lot of time on the road for business (around 30k miles per year), I can tell you that comfort is a top priority for me. Luckily, the 9-5 Aero has plenty of creature comforts to keep me happy, and the seats are so comfortable that I never get fatigued, even on long trips. Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts!

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2002 Saab 95 problems:

2002 9-5 Linear Sedan - Reliability? | SaabCentral Forums
2002 9-5 Linear Sedan - Reliability? | SaabCentral Forums
https://www.saabcentral.com/threads/2002-9-5-linear-sedan-reliability.151891/

Mar 13, 2009 ... Little things usually wear out and are actually very easy to fix usually, but catastrophic failures are very rare as long as you have the engine ...

Saab 9-5 Problems and Complaints - 17 Issues
Saab 9-5 Problems and Complaints - 17 Issues
https://repairpal.com/problems/saab/9-5

Top Saab 9-5 Problems · Engine Dies while Driving Or Will Crank but not Start · Oil Leaks caused by Excessive Crankcase Pressure · Flickering or Failure of the HID ...

2.3L Vs. the 3.0L six | SaabCentral Forums
2.3L Vs. the 3.0L six | SaabCentral Forums
https://www.saabcentral.com/threads/2-3l-vs-the-3-0l-six.186385/

Jun 11, 2010 ... I/we were very lucky. So, I just found a 2002 9-5 with the 3.0L v6. What is the issues with that engine? I know that mine ...

Is a Saab 9-5 a money-pit? - Page 1 - General Gassing ...
Is a Saab 9-5 a money-pit? - Page 1 - General Gassing ...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1605044

Jun 30, 2016 ... The 9-5 did have engine problems before I bought it (head gaskets, a common problem on the 3.0L V6 turbo apparently) and did eventually die ...

2008 Saab 9-5 Problems and Complaints - 5 Issues
2008 Saab 9-5 Problems and Complaints - 5 Issues
https://repairpal.com/2008-saab-9-5/problems

Problem with your 2008 Saab 9-5? Our list of 5 known ... 2008 Saab 9-5 Problems. Find the most common issues based on car owner complaints ... 2002 Saab 9-5 ...

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