Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 9 | −63% | — | Headlight | Good |
| 2008 | 20 | −22% | 2 | Airbag | Average |
| 2007 | 17 | −70% | 2 | Airbag | Good |
| 2006 | 23 | −70% | 2 | Airbag | Good |
| 2005 | 11 | −57% | 2 | Equipment | Good |
| 2004 | 19 | −50% | 2 | Electrical | Good |
| 2003 | 47 | 2.2× | 4 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2002 | 53 | 2.8× | 6 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2001 | 82 | 4.3× | 4 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2000 | 102 | 5.2× | 3 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 1999 | 118 | 5.7× | 2 | Electrical | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median 9-5 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Saab 9-5 problems
Latest Saab 9-5 recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge.
Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
Saab is recalling 57,389 my 2002-2008 9-5 series vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." during compliance testing, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard's requirements.
Remedy: Dealers will install a-pillar trim with improved energy-absorbing capability free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2008. Owners May contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Remedy: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on June 13, 2007.
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines May experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to January 2003. The recall is expected to begin during December 2005.
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with b205/b235 4-cylinder gasoline engines and b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines May experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to the introduction of qp3.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Saab 9-5 should you avoid?
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 — these years have the most complaints relative to other 9-5 years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 1999.
What is the best year for the Saab 9-5?
2006 has the fewest complaints compared with other 9-5 years at the same age, followed by 2007 and 2011. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Saab 9-5 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (243), engine & cooling (74) and air bags (58). Electrical complaints peak in the 1999 model year.
How many recalls has the Saab 9-5 had?
9 recalls across 1999–2011. The model year with the most is 2002. See all Saab 9-5 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.