Injection pump (Bosch VP44)
usually 120,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Won't start or cuts out, pump codes — pump ECU failure
Fix: Repair or exchange the pump
€600–1,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Saab 9-5
1997–2010
1
engines covered
8
known faults
7,638
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
4
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Saab 9-5 was built from 1997 to 2010.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 8 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is 6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate: it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €1,200–2,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (19.9 %), brakes (11.0 %), suspension (10.7 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, steering, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 / 2.2 DTI (Opel Y20DTH / Y22DTR) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-40 / 10W-40 · GM-LL-B-025 · ~5.5 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
2.0 / 2.2 DTI (Opel Y20DTH / Y22DTR)
Timing chain (double-row) wear
usually 200,000–300,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle
Fix: Replace the chain kit
€700–1,200
Injectors / turbo
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Smoke
Fix: Test and replace
€300–900
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
Automatic 4-speed (older)
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Automatic (Aisin AF40 / GM 6T40 / 6T45)
6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2017 only
Signs: Loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse
Fix: Replace the wave plate (gearbox rebuild)
€1,200–2,500
AF40 valve body / harsh shifts
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Harsh or flared shifts
Fix: Fluid change; valve body repair
€300–1,200
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 2.0 / 2.2 DTI (Opel Y20DTH / Y22DTR) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 7,638 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 7.5 % | 7.7 % | 11.0 % | 11.6 % | 13.8 % |
| Suspension | 3.9 % | 8.2 % | 10.7 % | 12.9 % | 15.9 % |
| Steering | 0.7 % | 1.3 % | 1.2 % | 1.7 % | 1.5 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.6 % | 6.6 % | 7.2 % | 8.0 % | 9.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 10.7 % | 16.6 % | 19.9 % | 21.1 % | 22.6 % |
| Body and corrosion | 2.6 % | 2.8 % | 5.8 % | 5.7 % | 8.9 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.7 % | 4.4 % | 7.9 % | 9.0 % | 11.1 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 4,566 cars.
| age (years) | 15–19 | 20+ |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 4.9 % | 6.9 % |
| Suspension | 3.1 % | 5.6 % |
| Steering | 1.0 % | 3.7 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 14.9 % | 14.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 25.4 % | 27.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.7 % | 1.2 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 4.6 % | 7.1 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 3,952, of which 0 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 Diesel2.0 (1,956 cm³) · Diesel | 28.9 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 2.0 Petrol2.0 (1,998 cm³) · Petrol | 22.5 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 2.3 Petrol2.3 (2,290 cm³) · Petrol | 19.9 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 2.0 Petrol2.0 (1,985 cm³) · Petrol | 11.8 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 1.9 Diesel1.9 (1,910 cm³) · Diesel | 9.3 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 2.8 Petrol2.8 (2,792 cm³) · Petrol | 6.2 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
| 1.6 Petrol1.6 (1,598 cm³) · Petrol | 1.1 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 446 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (4). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Steering wheel airbag may not perform correctly in a collision03/12/2010 · R/2010/214
- Fire risk Fuel may leak - fire may occur26/01/2009 · R/2008/188
- Other Detachable tow bar may become insecure.10/01/2003 · R/2003/005
- Other Towball came adrift from towbar11/07/2002 · R/2002/093
Common questions
Does the Saab 9-5 have a timing chain or a timing belt?
2.0 / 2.2 DTI (Opel Y20DTH / Y22DTR): chain.
What are the known problems with the Saab 9-5?
The faults with the highest risk: 6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate (80,000–200,000 km, €1,200–2,500); injection pump (Bosch VP44) (120,000–250,000 km, €600–1,500); solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); dual-mass flywheel (150,000–220,000 km, €700–1,400). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Saab 9-5 most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (19.9 %), brakes (11.0 %), suspension (10.7 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, steering, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion.
What should you check when buying a used Saab 9-5?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (4 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse; won't start or cuts out, pump codes — pump ECU failure. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Opel Astra G 1998–2004Opel Vectra C 2002–2008Opel Zafira A 1999–2005Opel Vectra B 1995–2002Opel Signum 2003–2008
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026