NHTSA Data Explorer

Saab 9-5

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Saab 9-5.

Complaints

506

Active records

Recalls

9

Active records

TSBs

682

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

12

Crashes

11

Fires

16

Top reported issues — Saab 9-5

Click a category to expand its values.

Engine behavior

190

Operating state

156

Condition issue

132

Reporting mechanism

83

Performance issue

73

Thermal issue

50

Safety restraint issue

48

Fluid issue

39

Starting behavior

28

Braking behavior

26

Driver assistance issue

25

Smell

24

Noise

19

Powering on/off behavior

19

Safety restraint behavior

19

Electrical issue

18

Lighting behavior

15

Steering behavior

15

Vibration/harshness

14

Access/entry issue

9

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

9

HVAC behavior

8

Recent change

6

Infotainment behavior

3

Ride/handling behavior

2

Wiper/washer behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2004 SAAB 9-5

Filed May 10, 2025


Fire

I purchased my 2004 Saab 9-5 in 2023. I was under the impression that everything was running and that drivability was proper. When I attempted to drive the automobile it would start, idle 7 minutes and stall. It would not start again for about 35 minutes. I tried to use it, and this behavior continued. Often, in traffic it would stall while I was moving at low speed, and moderate speed: Without warning, it cuts out and won't start for 40 minutes. I have spent money with my mechanic, over…

2001 SAAB 9-5

Filed Jan 29, 2024


With only 670 miles on a new set of tires, an inspection for a completely unrelated reason found that there was a bulge in 3 of the 4 NEW tires. Installed in Jun, issue found in Dec; car is driven very little. Tires were purchased from Tire Rack and installed by Discount Tire. Inspection by Discount tire found the 3 defective tires. They report bulges as impact damage. I have had one other tire ever with impact damage in 180,000 miles on this 20+ year old car. On this set of tires, there were…

2007 SAAB 9-5

Filed Apr 13, 2023


My vehicle was on recall for Takata air bags. My vehicle was then installed with a new set of Takata airbags. Are not these airbags just as unsafe? Have not there been cases of the same issues happening to these airbags? Is my 2017 front passenger Airbag going to explode like a grenade and kill me? These are all questions I have, but I am told these airbags are safe. Yet I have seen lawsuits where someone died in another vehicle make but with 2017 Takata airbags as the cause of death and or…

2004 SAAB 9-5

Filed Aug 5, 2022


Crash

7/26/22 10:23pm on interstate 25 North of Denver mile 249 I was not able to stop and rear ended another vehicle. My air bags did not deploy there were no dash lights indicating any problem with the airbags prior to the accident. My vehicle was not drivable and was towed to H&R Towing in Johnstown, CO. The only inspection so far has been by an Amica Insurance adjuster. My set belt pretensioner held me fast but the crown of my head went forward into the visor area I was dazed. I went by ambulance…

2003 SAAB 9-5

Filed Dec 12, 2020


I HAD TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. IT SMELLED LIKE FUEL IN MY CAR.

2008 SAAB 9-5

Filed Jan 28, 2020


I HAD MY AIRBAG REPLACED ON RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I NOW HAVE AN ERROR ALERT ON MY DASH INDICATING AN AIR BAG PROBLEM. MY SERVICE TECHNICIAN TELLS ME THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ME, BESIDES DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR OR JUNK IT (PROBABLY ILLEGAL TO SELL )

2006 SAAB 9-5

Filed Jul 25, 2019


TAKATA RECALL.I NO LONGER HAVE THIS VEHICLE,IT WAS ACTUALLY MY DAUGHTERS CAR BUT I WAS THE CO SIGNER FOR HER LOAN.THIS VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN AT VAN HORN IN FON DU LAC ,WI AT LEAST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.WE HAVE CALLED PEOPLE INCLUDING CONTACTING GM ONLINE SAYING WE NO LONGER HAVE THIS CAR YET WE KEEP GETTING RECALL INFO!!PLEASE CONTACT VAN HORN TO SEE WHAT THEY DID WITH THIS CAR.

2011 SAAB 9-5

Filed Dec 8, 2018


PREMATURE WEAR (BURN-OUT) OF THE HALOGEN-STYLE LIGHT BULBS IN EACH OF THE REAR TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS (THE HALOGEN LIGHTS SERVE AS BOTH A TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT). THE HALOGEN LIGHTS APPEAR TO BURN OUT EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. THE BULBS ARE CREATING EXCESSIVE HEAT WITHIN THE LIGHT HOUSING AND MELTING/FUSING TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING. I BELIEVE THIS IS POTENTIALLY A FIRE RISK. THERE IS PREMATURE RUST FORMING ON THE TRUNK LID ASWELL.

2011 SAAB 9-5

Filed Sep 5, 2018


MY 2011 SAAB 9-5 IS CURRENTLY IN THE SAAB REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL REPLACED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT RETURN TO ITS PROPER POSITION AND WAS LOCKING THE BRAKES ON AND ALSO LOCKING THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON. IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS HOLDING IT BACK. IN MY CASE I RUINED THE BRAKE ROTORS AND DISCS AS THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THIS COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE AND MADE THE CAR HARD TO HANDLE AND OF COURSE REDUCED THE PROPER BRAKING ABILITY. GM…

1999 SAAB 9-5

Filed Sep 5, 2018


DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING IN A SMOOTH STRAIGHTAWAY COUNTRY ROAD AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH. NO OTHER CAS WERE AROUND AT THE TIME AND NOBODY GOT SERIOUSLY HURT, ONLY A MINOR BRUISE ON THE ARM.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.