Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
12/12/2005301/20/2004
 2003 9-5 aero sport suspension failed resulting in tire blow outs and excessive wear to front and rear tires. consumer had shocks and springs replaced. *ts *nm
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
01/27/2007108/28/2006
 Purchased a certified pre-owned 2003 saab 9.5 aero in late august 2006 began hearing horrible (and worsening) grinding noise soon after purchase. we were thinking it was the brakes needing to be replaced...took it to a well respected national brake shop who told us we needed new right side wheel bearing and the cost would be over $700.00 the car has less than 60000 mile on it and i have done some research to find that i am not the first person to have this problem with this make/model think it is a defect that could prove fatal if not addressed immediately.*jb
SUSPENSION - REAR
08/27/20051
 Some or all saab 9-5's were manufactured with defective rear axle subframes. these subframes fatigue and deform resulting in tire failures, unsafe handling, premature tire wear, and/or other potentially fatal problems. i experienced a blowout at highway speed, premature tire wear, excessive tire noise, and unsettled vehicle dynamics for over 6 months while saab fought not to fix this problem. online bulletin boards such as www.saabnet.com indicate that numerous other owners of 9-5 sedans and wagons, my 1999-present have experienced similar problems, almost always related to using the vehicle at or near its gross vehicle weight rating, which i believe to be significantly overstated by saab. the 9-5's suspension cannot withstand a fully or near fully loaded vehicle for any significant length of time and/or mileage. *nm
08/27/20051
 The vehicle cannot be loaded anywhere near is gvwr and maintain its original ride height (or anything close to the unloaded ride height) at the rear of the vehicle. when loaded the camber shifts (due to the rear suspension type) very negative causing poor handling and extreme tire wear on the inside edge of the rear wheels. i had a blowout at highway speed due to this problem. *nm
08/26/20051
 Tire tread separation due to sudden wear on the inside edges of both rear tires. negative camber on rear wheels leads to cupping and wear along the inside edge of both back wheels. with car fully loaded, tread can separate after only a few thousand miles. at the very least the tires must be replaced after a few thousand miles to avoid sudden tread separations and loss of air pressure. *nm