2000 SAAB 9-5 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

I OWN A 2000 SAAB 9-5 AERO SEDAN. ON JUNE 14, 2007, I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN I EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS LOSS OCCURRED COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR WAS BY ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION BY A MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP AND BRAKE BOOSTER HAD FAILED. I WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED AND THAT I DID NOT DRIFT OUT INTO THE 5 LANE HIGHWAY THAT I WAS APPROACHING. I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE IN THAT I DID NOT HIT OTHER CARS OR PEDESTRIANS IN THIS INCIDENT. SAAB HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR BRAKE PROBLEMS AND I BELIEVE THAT THE 9-5 SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *AK

Mileage: 63,500

WHILE DRIVING IN THE 2000 9-5 THE DASHBOARD LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE ; ABS, TCS, BRAKES, ETC.. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED THAT I NEEDED A NEW ABS CONTROLLER . THE COST TO REPLACE IT WAS $2,700. I ASKED IF THEY COULD INSTALL A REBUILD OR AN AFTERMARKET PART ,AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WOULD COST $1,600. STILL AGHAST, I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE BOSCH ABS MODULE FAILE D ROUTINELY, AND COULD BE REPAIRED FOR APPROXIMATELY $150 TO $250. ASIDE FROM THE POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE OF THIS PART COMMONLY FAILING THERE ALSO APPEARED TO BE QUITE A MARK UP FROM THE DEALER/MANUFACTURERS ON THIS PART. *AK

Mileage: 98,050

WHEN PARKED ON HILL OVERNIGHT WITH CAR POINTED DOWN HILL, WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED AND SHIFT LEVER MOVED TO DRIVE AND HAND BRAKE RELEASED, THE FOOT BRAKE IS UNABLE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM ROLLING AND HAND BRAKE MUST BE USED TO STOP VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE FOOT BRAKES APPEAR TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR A WOMAN UNABLE TO WORK HAND BRAKE OR EXERT ENOUGH BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ASSIST IN STOPPING THE CAR. SAAB EXPERT MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A COMMON DESIGN PROBLEM AND I SHOULD REPORT IT AS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

JUST AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED: DASH LIGHTS CAME ON: ABS, TCS OFF, WARNING TRIANGLE AND BRAKE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BECAME PERMANENT. SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER CEASED TO OPERATE. RESEARCHED TO DISCOVER A COMMON PROBLEM WITH LIKE VEHICLES (SAABNET.COM). SERVICE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT ABS ECU WAS INOPERATIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ARROWAY SAAB DEALER ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE ISSUE WITH SAAB USA TO REPLACE $3500 PART. I WOULD PAY LABOR. SAAB DEALER REFUSED TO GUARANTEE REPLACEMENT OF ABS COMPUTER WOULD FIX PROBLEM. CURRENTLY WORKING WITH PURCHASING A USED UNTIL FOR $900. WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THE REBUILD OPTION. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WHICH IS 1) EXPENSIVE AND 2) POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AS IT AFFECTS KEY SAFETY FEATURES. *JB

Mileage: 72,000

I OWN A 2000 SAAB 9-5. I HAVE FOUND THERE TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THIS ISSUE IS PRESENT AND KNOWN ON MANY DISCUSSION BOARDS FOR THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON THESE VEHICLES HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED? THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE SPEEDOMETER TO SHUT OFF, THE ODOMETER TO STOP CLOCKING MILES, THE ABS SYSTEM TO SHUTDOWN AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TO SHUT OFF. THIS IS A FAIRLY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG 2000 SAAB 9-5 OWNERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. TO REFERENCE ONE OF MANY KNOWN INSTANCES OF THIS SAAB ISSUE, PLEASE VISIT: HTTP://WWW.SAABCENTRAL.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=73456. *JB

Mileage: 30

THE BREAK BOOSTER GAVE OUT ON MY '00 SAAB WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE BREAKS TO STOP WORKING.

Mileage: 61,000

THE BREAK BOOSTER GAVE OUT ON MY '00 SAAB WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE BREAKS TO STOP WORKING.

Mileage: 61,000

SUDDEN MULTIPLE DISPLAY OF DASH LIGHTS INDICATING FAILURE OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM INCLUDING DISABLEMENT OF THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD ON CAR EXPIRED. SAAB DEALER REQUESTED $3000 TO REPLACE THE ABS UNIT AS A START, TO FIND OUT WHY ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS (TWO INDEPENDENT SHOPS) INDICATE NO COMMUNICATION WITH ABS SYSTEM COMPUTER SO DIAGNOSTIC OF ACTUAL CAUSE OF FAILURE IMPOSSIBLE. I FOUND OUT INDEPENDENTLY FROM PRIVATE CONSUMER GROUP: WWW.SAABNET.COM , THAT THIS IS COMMON FAILURE WITH SAAB 95S THAT ARE SEVERAL YEARS OLD AND THAT SEVERAL INDEPENDENT COMPANIES CAN REBUILD THE ABS CONTROLLER FOR LESS THAN $300. I REMOVED THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND SENT IT FOR REBUILD. I AM AWAITING RETURN OF PART FOR REINSTALLATION. *NM

Mileage: 52,800

BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTION IN 2000 SAAB 95 CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. *JB

Mileage: 71,000

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 SAAB 9-5 LPT, THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THE SPEEDOMETER GOES TO ZERO. THE MECHANIC STATES THAT THE ABS COMPUTER HAS FAILED DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRONICS. *NM

Mileage: 89,000

WHILE ROUTINE DRIVING THE ABS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE (INDICATING EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING ENGAGED) AND TCS OFF WILL ILLUMINATE. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GO TO ZERO. UPON INSPECTION AT THE DEALER, THEIR WORDS, NOT MINE. IS THAT "YOUR ABS CONTROL MODULE IS FRIED". ONCE THIS WAS DIAGNOSED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE, IF WE DO NOT NEED ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL (TCS OFF). THE PART IS $2800. NOW UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PRODUCT, BOSCH. SUPPOSEDLY THIS HAS OCCURRED QUITE FREQUENTLY ON SAAB'S , MULTIPLE GM AND FORD VEHICLES AS WELL. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE ISSUE IS THE CAR SOMETIMES AT USUALLY THE WORSE TIMES IT GOES INTO LIMP HOME MODE. *JB

Mileage: 33,437

I WAS TRAVELING TO SAN DIEGO WHEN MY ENGINE PROBLEM LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TCS, ABS AND SPEEDOMETER LIGHTS CAME ON. I HAVE LEARNED FROM PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT THE ENGINE PROBLEM LIGHT MEANS THAT THIS VEHICLE ENGINE COULD BLOW UP. AFTER SPENDING THE NIGHT (NOT INTENDED) IN SAN DIEGO, I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS A $2500 FIX. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND NOT WORRY ABOUT MY TRACTION CONTROL OR ABS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE AND AM NOW WORKING ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM VIA RESOURCES ON THE WEB FOR 1/4TH THE DEALER COST. *JB

Mileage: 79,900

WHILE ROUTINE DRIVING THE ABS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE (INDICATING EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING ENGAGED) AND TCS OFF WILL ILLUMINATE. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GO TO ZERO. UPON INSPECTION AT THE DEALER, THEIR WORDS, NOT MINE. IS THAT "YOUR ABS CONTROL MODULE IS FRIED". ONCE THIS WAS DIAGNOSED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE, IF WE DO NOT NEED ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL (TCS OFF). THE PART IS $2800. NOW UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PRODUCT, BOSCH. SUPPOSEDLY THIS HAS OCCURRED QUITE FREQUENTLY ON SAAB'S , MULTIPLE GM AND FORD VEHICLES AS WELL AS AUDI'S, AND VW'S. THIS PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. IT WILL COME ON AND THEN AFTER 10-15 MIN OF DRIVING WILL EXTINGUISH AGAIN. *JB

Mileage: 44,200

FOLLOWING DASH LIGHTS CAME ON: ABS, TCS OFF, WARNING TRIANGLE AND BRAKE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BECAME PERMANENT. SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER CEASED TO OPERATE. RESEARCHED TO DISCOVER A COMMON PROBLEM WITH LIKE VEHICLES (SAABNET.COM). SERVICE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT ABS ECU WAS INOPERATIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MIKE SHAW SAAB ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE ISSUE WITH SAAB USA TO REPLACE $2500 PART. I WOULD PAY LABOR. SAAB USA OFFERED TO PAY HALF. I DECIDED TO REPAIR MYSELF. I REMOVED THE ABS MODULE (A BOSCH SUB-PART OF THE ABS ECU) AND SENT IT TO BE RE-BUILT FOR $249. I RENTED A CAR FOR ABOUT $200 AND PAID $120+TAX FOR THE SAAB SERVICE DIAGNOSIS. I RE-INSTALLED THE MODULE, AND THE CAR IS FINE. IT APPEARS THAT THESE BOSCH ABS MODULES ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS IN MANY BRANDS OF VEHICLES. SEARCHING EBAY, I FOUND THERE TO BE MORE INSTANCES OF THIS THAN I COULD COUNT. *JB

Mileage: 83,300

I PURCHASED A SAAB 9.5 WAGON- YEAR 2000 WITH 53,000 MILES ON IT. NOW IT HAS 63,000 MILES. MY REPAIR BILLS CURRENTLY ARE OVER $7,000 EXCLUDING MAINTENANCE AND ROUTINE SERVICE (THE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED W/ THE CAR HAS NOT COVERED ANY OF REPAIRS). ONE DAY ABOUT 5 LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME ON MY DASH. I AM TALKING ABOUT THE LIGHTS/SYMBOLS THAT COME ON WHEN A PARTICULAR PROBLEM ARISES WITH THE CAR. THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON THEY ARE CALLED THE ABS, TCS AND 2 OTHER BRAKE RELATED LIGHTS ALONG W/ THE ENGINE LIGHT. I TOOK MY CAR TO SAAB IN SANTA MONICA AND THE MECHANIC, TONY, RAN A TEST AND TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE MY ABS COMPUTER BRAKE COMPONENT. THE PRICE FOR THE PART WOULD BE 2,800 PLUS 200.00- 300.00 FOR LABOR, SO APPROX. 3,000 TO REPLACE THIS COMPUTER UNIT. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED TO ME THAT I SHOULD FILE A CLAIM WITH SAAB BECAUSE OF THE "TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FAILURES" WITH THIS COMPONENT. I DID AND I WAS DENIED BY SAAB. UNABLE TO AFFORD THE COST OF THIS REPAIR, MAINLY BECAUSE, LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, I AM WELL OVER $7,000 IN REPAIR BILLS ALREADY AND I SIMPLY CANNOT COME UP WITH 3,000 RIGHT NOW. SO, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME AND BY ACCIDENT THE IGNITION KEY WAS NUDGED WHICH CAUSED THE KEY TO TURN OFF THE CAR. I COMPLETELY LOST ALL BRAKE POWER AND WAS FORCED TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING PEDESTRIANS WALKING ACROSS THE STREET. THIS WAS A TERRIFYING SITUATION, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED COMPLETED BRAKE FAILURE AND NOW I AM TERRIFIED TO USE MY CAR AT ALL. SINCE I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS COMPUTER COMPONENT REPLACED I MAKE AN ATTEMPT NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SAAB SHOULD TAKE A MORE SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD 3 SAAB MECHANICS TELL ME THE SAME THING ABOUT THE THIS ABS COMPUTER COMPONENT, THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OFTEN, AND THAT IT IS SOMETHING SAAB SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR. IS SAAB AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER OWNER'S OF SAABS HAVE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC REGARDING THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM? *JB

Mileage: 60,000