2001 Saab Aero problems
Saab Aero was the high-performance division of car manufacturer Saab Automobile. The Aero name refers to Saab's history as an aircraft manufacturer. The first Aero model was the 1984 Saab 900 Aero, and every subsequent model released by Saab was then offered with the optional Aero trim level. The final Aero model was the 2014 Saab 9-3, which was manufactured by the holding company NEVS. This was also the last time a Saab-branded vehicle has been manufactured by the holding company.
History
The Saab 900 Aero was introduced for the 1984 model year, or as it was known in the U.S. "Special Performance Group" (SPG). The Aero/SPG incorporated (depending on the market and model year) a body skirt; a sport-suspension (1987+) that included shorter, stiffer springs, stiffer shocks, and sway bars; leather seats; premium stereo; and air conditioning. Each of these features could, of course, be ordered independently from Saab's Accessories Catalog for fitment to standard models. Power output varied by model year and market, but 900S and 900 Turbo models produced after 1985 were fitted with a 16-valve engine, while the basic 900 kept the earlier 8-valve engine.
Some modern Aero-model Saab cars featured only a slight increase in performance, such as the Saab 9-3, while other models featured a dramatic increase in performance, such as the Saab 9-7X. The base 4.2i 9-7X produced 285 horsepower, while the Aero model produced 390 horsepower.
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Common 2001 Saab Aero problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Saab 9-3 Aero 2001, several common problems have been identified:
- Electrical Problems: The Saab 9-3 Aero 2001 is known to have electrical issues, including problems with the ignition switch, dashboard lights, and power windows. These electrical issues can result in a dead battery, alternator problems, and other electrical system malfunctions, impacting the overall functionality of the vehicle .
- Engine Issues: Owners have reported engine problems such as oil sludge buildup, which can lead to engine damage and failure. Additionally, issues like turbo failure, timing chain problems, and overheating have been highlighted. These engine-related issues can significantly affect the performance and reliability of the Saab 9-3 Aero 2001 .
- Suspension Problems: The suspension system of the Saab 9-3 Aero 2001 may experience issues like worn-out shocks, struts, and bushings, resulting in excessive vibrations, noise, and a rough ride. Problems with the suspension can impact the handling and comfort of the vehicle, making it essential to address these issues promptly .
- Coolant Leaks: Another common problem reported by owners is coolant leaks, particularly between the lubrication and cooling systems. These leaks can lead to issues with the vehicle's cooling system, affecting the engine's performance and potentially causing overheating problems. Addressing coolant leaks promptly is crucial to prevent further damage to the engine.
- Heating System: The heating system in the Saab 9-3 Aero 2001 has been highlighted as a common issue, specifically related to structural problems with the dial controls and knobs. These components are prone to cracking and splitting, impacting the functionality of the heating system. While repairs for these components are relatively inexpensive, they are essential for maintaining the comfort and usability of the vehicle.
These common problems with the Saab 9-3 Aero 2001 can significantly impact the vehicle's performance, safety, and overall reliability. Owners are advised to address these issues promptly to ensure the proper functioning and longevity of their vehicles.
Are Saab 9-3 Aero reliable?
The users on RepairPal gave the Saab 9-3 a reliability score of 4.0 out of 5.0. The annual cost of repairs and maintenance for this model amounts to roughly $526. Two commonly reported issues for this model include an illuminated traction control light due to corroded wiring and engine coolant loss.
Is the Saab 9-5 Aero a good car?
Saab's all-wheel-drive system (which includes an electronic limited-slip differential) is one of the best, proportioning power seamlessly among the wheels for maximum traction and balance. We actually found the 9-5 Aero to be a more rewarding and involving driver's car than the new BMW 5 Series.
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.
Why does Saab have a bad reputation?
One of the main reasons for its failure is poor reliability. The 9-5 had a well-constructed body, but its interior doesn't hold up over the years. Wear and tear are relatively noticeable, and the green-backlit LED display became a chore to read with age.
2001 Saab Aero car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Saab Aero problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Fuel system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Air bags problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2001 Saab Aero vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2001 Saab Aero complaints
The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2001 Saab Aero.
AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-06-10
- VIN: YS3ED58EX13
- Components: AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT NOTICE, AND HORN STOPS WORKING, TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING AND THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE AIRBAG IS NEEDED TO PREVENT INJURIES. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE BEING INJURED BY THIS. (THE 9-5 IS THE SAME AS THE 95 AND THE 952 AND THE AERO). *TR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-12-10
- VIN: YS3EH48G213
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I NOTICED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE STEERING AND BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO USE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT START ONCE STOPPED, LATER I NOTICED THAT WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE ENGINE OVER, GASOLINE WAS SPEWING OUT NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE! I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED TRYING TO START THE CAR AND LEFT FOR A CALL BOX TO GET A TOW. I GOT IT TOWED TO THE SACRAMENTO SAAB DEALER WHERE THEY SAID THE RETAINER FOR THE FUEL PUMP BROKE. I AM AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAAB 9-3 MODELS, HOWEVER THE 9-5 HASN'T BEEN SUBJECTED TO THIS RECALL AS OF YET. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, HAD THE GAS IGNITED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THEN AT THE DEALER, THE ENTIRE PUMP WAS REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED, EVEN THOUGH THE RETAINER (A SMALL PLASTIC CLIP) FAILED AND THE PUMP WAS STILL IN WORKING ORDER. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-12-28
- VIN: YS3EH48G513
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CAR LEAKING DARK FLUID...TOOK CAR INTO DIFFERENT SAAB SERVICE CENTER STATED SEEN ISSUE A LOT SINCE LAST TIME I TOOK CAR INTO DIFFERENT SINCE SAAB DEALERSHIP NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT THE IDM WAS DEFECTIVE UNTIL AFTER RECALL HEAD GASKET WENT BAD AND COOLANT SENSOR MELTED...IS THIS DUE TO DEFECT IN CAR OR IS THIS JUST THE BEGINNING OF MORE ISSUES TO COME...54000 MILES ON VEHICLE $1200 PART. *NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-09-19
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE/CASSETTE FAILED ON MY 2001 9-5 AERO AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I JUST DISCOVERED ON THE SAAB BULLETIN BOARD (I.E. SAABNET) THAT THIS PART FAILS REGULARLY IN SAABS, PARTICULARLY IN THE 2001 9-5S. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-03-02
- Fire: 1
- VIN: YS3EH58G213
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ELECTRICAL FIRE AND FAILURE OF IGNITION MODULE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-08-01
- VIN: YS3EH48G513
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 2001 SAAB AERO WHILE TRAVELING IN THE FAST LANE OF A FREEWAY AT 65 MPH WITHOUT WARNING EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR MADE IT ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER (RAINY DAY AT DUSK); THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS THEN FAILED WITHIN 25 MINUTES. DIAGNOSED AS A DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (DIC) FAILURE, BUT FLASHERS FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DIC FAILURE WAS COMMON, BUT REPLACEMENTS SELDOM FAILED. IN OUR SMALL CIRCLE, OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR HAD DIC FAILURE WITH HIS 2000 SAAB 9-5 AND STATED WE WERE THE ONLY SAAB OWNERS HE HADN'T KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM; A COLLEAGUE OF MY WIFE'S HAD DIC FAILURE WHILE ALSO DRIVING ON A FREEWAY.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: YS3EH59G923
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. *NLM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-04-06
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IN BOTH MY 2001 SAAB 9-5 AND MY 1999 SAAB 9-3, UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHEN I LOCK THE ELECTRONIC DOORS AND TURN THE IGNITION KEY IN QUICK SUCCESSION, THE DOOR LOCKS OPEN. ALTHOUGH THIS PROBLEM WAS DEMONSTRATED TO THE SAAB DEALER, THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THEIR HAS BEEN A CHRONIC PROBLEM OF ELECTRICAL CHARGE BUILD-UP IN THE IGNITION CONSOLE (WHERE THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH IS LOCATED), AND WHEN LOCKING THE DOORS AND STARTING THE IGNITION ARE PERFORMED IN QUICK SUCCESSION, IT CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH POPS OPEN THE LOCKS. MY 1996 SAAB 900 HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT IN THAT CASE, AFTER LOWERING THE WINDOWS (SWITCHES ALSO IN IGNITION CONSOLE), THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE BUILD-UP WHICH PREVENTED RAISING THE WINDOWS FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-5 SECONDS. *JB
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-11-01
- VIN: YS3EH58GX13
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
- Summary: FUEL AND VABOR LEAK, CAUSED ORDOR OF FUEL INSIDE MV AND ON OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR AREA. DEALER REPLACED PART # 54-62-288 FUEL FILLER TUBE, #48-99-621 FUELLINB235PLST AND # 79-74-546 O-RING
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-01-01
- VIN: NOT AVAILAB
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: MICHELLEN MXM 17 IN. CONSUMER HAS NO OTHER TIRE INFO. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR TIRE SHREDDED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-07-02
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: YS3EH55G013
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT HAVE HARD PROTRUSIONS WHICH INJURE THE COCYX AND RELATED LIGAMENTS WHILE RIDING IN THE CARE A SHORT TIME.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2001 Saab Aero problems:
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