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Saab • Saab Owners Not Impressed by Aeronautical Heritage • Consumer Complaints

Kendra of Westford, MA January 22, 2010

I bought a used, 2000 Saab 9-5 Wagon in late 2002 and it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned.

I've since put more than 100,000 miles on it in New England weather and without a garage. I replaced the DI cassette several years ago, an exhaust pipe around the same time, the battery last year and the only other work I've ever needed has been regular maintenance and wear items (brakes, tires).

It's never once failed to start, handles great in the snow, gets me where I'm going, comfortably and safely

David of sarasota, FL November 19, 2009

Bought a used 2005 Saab 9-3 Linear (built in 04') in August of 2008 with 42k miles on it. Shortly after I drove it home the problems started. The coolant warning light goes off every few days at the slightest loss of coolant (ounces). Door locks engaging by themselves, left front headlight and side marker light replaced, throttle body replaced (750), alternator replaced (700). 4 batteries replaced since purchase a little over a year ago without a resolution to the problem. 5 tows to dealership who have yet to fix the coolant problem or the battery draining issues.

HVAC controls, have to pay to replace entire panel for new knobs instead of just replacing one. I have had more issues with this Saab than all my other cars I have owned since the early 80s combined. More tows with this car in one month than all the cars I have driven since the late 70s. The dealership was incompetent, overpriced, and rude. 2k plus in repairs and the issues remain. Will never buy another Saab or GM product again.

BEKI of REPUBLIC, MO November 17, 2009

I purchased my used Saab in March 2008 and have since put 4250 in it for repairs. The shocks, struts, air conditioner, transmission service, 2 new transmissions...and now I'm being told that I need to pay 500 for a new radiator. This is the roughest riding car I have ever owned and I couldn't even drive it while I was pregnant for fear of hurting my baby.

The shop replaced the transmission and then insisted that I drive it over 200 miles so the new parts could 'adapt'. I refused because I knew there was still a problem with the transmission. I told them that if it needed to be driven THEY could drive it. The owner AND the tech that worked on the car REFUSED to drive it. After the car was sent to the dealer to check it out, it was determined that the new transmission was bad and that it needed yet another transmission.

THEN the shop insisted that I pay for a new radiator because of debris in it from it being driven when it wasn't supposed to be. THEY are the ones that have had the car the whole time and THEY are the ones that drove it. I will NEVER own another Saab and I think this one should fall under the Lemon Law and my car should be replaced. 4200 in repairs later-I still don't have a drivable car. I have paid over 1/2 of what I paid for the car in repairs in less than a year.

Harry of Phoenix, AZ October 8, 2009

2001 SAAB 93 1) Ignition Timing broke (Warranty). 2) Serpentine Belt 45 (did it myself). 3) Motor Mount 700. 4) transmission Mount 800. 5) Motor Mount 700. 6) Fuel Injectors 800. 7) Bent Spark Plug 595. 8) Vacum Leak 400. 9) Vacum Leak 200. 10) Bent Spark Plug 22(OEM plugs were 1/8 in shorter). 11) Cracked #3 Piston, due to mass flow sensor failing top light up the Check Engine Light due to lean fuel mixture, 6800.

Nataliya of Delray BEach, FL October 6, 2009

I can say now with confidence that so far buying Saab from GM was the worst decision my husband and I made in our lives! Simply put, the car design is flawed, the car is constantly breaking down and every morning you are praying for your 3-year-old nice-looking car would start, and you can drive to work and hopefully get back without the help of roadside assistance.

GM and their branch, Saab USA, is an additional story -- they do anything they can to not provide service you deserve and count on. You keep bringing your car to the talentless dealerships and GM keeps paying since it is still under warranty. Of course, this keeps the dealerships in business! But when you had enough of all of the hassle you are dealing with and you want a normal customer service -- don't expect it from GM!

On my request to look into the issue with my car I got the case open and closed with negative outcome. The response was "Dealers did what they thought was right and the problem was 'solved'." (And this was after two recent identical cases were addressed by the two largest dealers in the area before! And now, after just one month, the same problem is back.)

When I requested a buyout because the car keeps getting the same issue over, and over, and over again, I was told that the district manager looked into it and they are "not interested"... I was NOT told that they were ready to extend my coverage. I learned it today by chance when I pressed the customer representative to open a new case and connect me to the department that deals with buyouts. So this information was simply withheld from me.

We wrote a very detailed letter first to the customer service department in Detroit and than to the General Manager of Saab USA, Mr. Steve Shannon. Guess what?! They never even bothered to write or call us back! Well, I got news for them -- this is not the first website I am filing a complaint with. I filed with BBB, with FTC and myriads of sites out there so consumers will know that when they buy GM they are pretty much screwed and completely on their own! And all their advertising on TV that they think will help them to get out from bankruptcy will not going to help them. If they will continue building unreliable cars and have the horrible customer service this company is a toast!

Kathy of Hazelwood, MO October 6, 2009

I purchasd a used 2002 Saab Turbo Convertible with 55xxx on it, in the first month; Throttle Body Sensor 750. The sid display didn't work, the doors lock go on and off while driving. The key to unlock and lock doesn't work the locks. One of the hydraulic hoses to the convertible blew; just the part over 200.

Then a month later it has happen again, I have no use of convertible. The water pump is not working now and is leaking anti freeze all the time. The heater and cooler just come off an on crazily and to top it off; with many of those problems now I took it in today and over 3,000 to fix something with transmission.

I can't afford anymore and now I don't have a car to drive to work to make money. I have NEVER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE - owned a lemon like this one. GOD HELP US!

Ryan of Bellingham, WA September 3, 2009

I also have a 2003 Saab 9-3 with automatic transmission. I am currently over 100k miles. I would like to state for the record that I have had all of the same issues including Transmission in/out sensors, shift solenoid C malfunction and ignition lockup. The difference is that I have gotten them all fixed at less than 1200 total. How did I accomplish this miracle? Hint: Never trust the company responsible for the issue to take responsibility. I am astounded that any of you would take your car to the stealership, especially after they have misdiagnosed the problem the first time. Use your own brain which you know works reliably and do some research online of all people having the same problem, do what they did that finally resolved it for good and go home happy.

Most of these problems are caused by cheap but complex sensors and wiring. Transmission sensors cost 150 and can be installed yourself in minutes (right under battery), if you let them charge you 700 you are shooting yourself here. Ignition lockup is actually caused by the system that recognizes the key being sent the wrong signal due to bad wiring. THey replace the device and the wiring will just build up static and fry the solenoid again. Fix the wiring harness and problem fixed for good. Translation: Smart cars are only as smart as the people who drive/repair them. Although GM is ultimately at fault for the engineering, they are not going to bail you out of your purchase and throw themselves off a building by way of apology. Get pro-active and educate yourself and you can make the best of a bad situation, otherwise count down the payments 'cause that's all you can do.

Mia of Croydon, PA August 4, 2009

I have been having the worst time recently with my Saab 9-5. Since May 12th of 2009 I've have in excess of 3300 in repairs and am looking at a 1900 repair bill at this moment on Aug 4, 2009. This is the 4th time my car has been in the repair shop since May. At this time Saab USA is stating that the repairs are my responsiblity because of the age and mileage of my vehicle (~6 yrs, ~109k miles). I've have taken resposiblity for my repairs thus far but I think these problems I am having with my vehicle are very very excessive. Who would want a car that you have to spend thousands of dollars on every year just to continue to drive it. I am very disappointed with this purchase. I really have buyer's remorse.

May 12, 09 - Check engine light. Result, coil pack is bad. May 28, 09 - My car is overheating and steaming. Result, replace heater bypass valve, replace thermostat, engine coolant flush, replace upper engine motor mount July 21, 09 - Check engine and oil light. Result, replace PVC valve, replact throttle body. Aug 4, 09 - White smoke from the exhaust. Result, replace turbo and clean oil pad. All of these items will cost me over 5,000 when all is said and done. Not including three towing bills. I believe this is excessive for any vehicle, let alone one that cost as much as this one did when I purchased it NEW.

Christina of Mayfield Heights, OH May 21, 2009

I bought my SAAB 9 3 in 2007. On Sept 6, 2007 (67,032 miles) I brought my car in due to when hitting bumps, I heard a rattling noise from the front left of my car. I brought my car in to the SAAB Bedford Dealership and they remove and replaced the front stabalizer on my car. Well on December 6, 2007 (72,688) car went back into the shop for the same issue. Again they replaced the front stabalizer. Car went back into the shop again for the same issue - "customer states clunk in front" - once again they replaced for the third time the front stabalizer on June 11 2008 with 84,116. At this time I was pregnant with my daughter who was due in June so safetly concerns were our main issues.

Car went back into the shop on October 17 2008 with 98,508 miles due for the same reason as before. "clunking in front end" this time not nothing was done. They advise that they could not find any issues with the car. Now my daughter is a month old. May 14, 2009 got out to my car that was parked in my garage overnight and my car is leaning towards the front left. The spring has broken on my car while it sat overnight. My car was towed to the SAAB dealership who advise that they will only give me 10% off my bill.

I've put in a call with SAAB USA to go over this issue and for them to fix it since I am now out of warranty. The lady is looking into my problem but on the phone kept stating that the car is now 6 years and over a 100,000 and parts to wear. I do understand that but this is a serious problem. If I had my daughter in my car going 65 miles on the freeway and the spring broke then, who knows what could of happened. Also, Luke's Towing advise my husband that he has towed 4 SAAB for the same issue that I am having (Broken Spring) just this month alone. I belive that there should be a recall on the Springs since this seems to be contuning to happen. I would like for SAAB USA to pick up the bill since I did my part and brought my car in time and time again for the same issue and still the issue was never fixed.

jono of queanbeyan, Australia May 13, 2009

Okay finally a site where i can share my saab story to people who actually know why it can sometimes suck owning a saab. just before i begin i would like to say that i tried making a site like this and failed. i got some nasty comments from some people who think saab dont suck and that i do. oh well. my story starts in 1994. i was only a five year old. my father decided that he should get a new car so he went into a mazda dealership but the workers their all ignored him and were more interested in watching the staff tv. so my father decided to try a saab and the wprkers their were nice people. they didnt ignore us. so they won our money and they got a sale and we brought ourselves a 1994 saab 900s non turbo. after the first year the saab had a few breakdowns and a flat tire and a flat battery. the car broke down every couple of years.

now its the year 2004. same thing again car broke down, battery went out, and then the left indicator at the front magically broke itself. so my father got fed up and left the car in our garage for years. in the meantime my father bought himself a nice BMW which i call heaven on wheels. i miss driving that car. it is now 2008 and i decided that i should go get a car and go for my licence. i kinda regrett this but i decided to sacrifice my freetime and get a job and with my earnings i bought the saab from my father. kept pestering him for a while to get the car inspected cos in the years that itwas sitting in the garage it was probably dying cos it wasnt being used. so finally we got someone to jumpstart the car, the car was running fine until we went to put some petrol in it. the car broke down and was blocking traffic and making the fuel delivery late. we had a fight with the petrol station workers and we realised that the battery didnt even charge up at all. it was simply dead. so that cost me 240 bucks just to get a new battery.

anyway we finally got the car serviced and it was running superb again. so i had the chance to master my manual tranmission driving skills and i was ready to take the driving test. where i live there is a horrible testing zone where you have to supply your own vehicle to use for the test. cost me loads of money to book the tests and i failed a few times as they have the strictest testing people in the world. so i went for another test feeling positive and optimistic and i was on my way to the testing office. i said to myself that there is nothing that can stop me from getting my licence and right after that the car's gear lever got stuck in neautral and the car would not get into gear.

i was so close to the testing place but i couldnt supply my own car because this stupid saab's clutch cable broke. this cable costed me 300 bucks to replace but it actually turned out to be a faulty pressure plate which caused the car not getting into gear. so now it's gonna cost me 1640 bucks just to get the car runnig again. so right now things have been pretty bad for me. no car, no licence, and feeling stupid cos we didnt look after the car well even though we were fed up of keeping the damn thing working. now i have to use transit buses where its crowded and rely on my friends to get me around places and play the waiting game of getting a new clutch, saving up for the clutch, getting used to the car's feeling like the pedals and the gearstick, and wait for another test booking. after the car gets fixed i will be poor, exhausted, paranoid everytime i drive the car that it will magically breakdown, and feel stupid cos i didnt look after the car and that i expected it to work after leaving it for so long in the garage while it was dying there.

the saab has put me through alot and i hate how motorists just stare at you and pass by without offering any help when your car breaks down. i didnt realise the harsh reality of owning a car let alone owning such a wonderful car like a saab and that the reality of owning a car is not always the same as the beauty of owning a car. i wish mechanics didnt rip people off and that warranties lasted longer and that the company gave everyone sympathy but i guess i cannot say why we can have these things. no matter how much we want things to be cheap they never happen. money has made greed in the world such a powerful thing and so many people now only do things for money. this is why mechanics are so greedy and that companies can be greedy. but for those who are thinking of getting a saab. i recommend one but expect the car to play up every now and then and make sure that you are a rich bitch cos if you are poor like me, then owning a saab bloody sucks mate.

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