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2004 Saab 9-5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

1 reports
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5,000 miles · Aug 21, 2006
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2004 SAAB 9.5 THAT I BOUGHT NEW ON APRIL 1, 2004. FROM DAY 1 THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS WORKING ERRATICALLY. DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. THEN CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THEN THE ELECTRIC TRUNK LOCK STOPPED WORKING. I CONTACTED THE DEALER TELLING IT THAT EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOW BEYOND THE 50,000 MILE P…

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I HAVE A 2004 SAAB 9.5 THAT I BOUGHT NEW ON APRIL 1, 2004. FROM DAY 1 THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS WORKING ERRATICALLY. DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. THEN CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THEN THE ELECTRIC TRUNK LOCK STOPPED WORKING. I CONTACTED THE DEALER TELLING IT THAT EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOW BEYOND THE 50,000 MILE PORTION OF THE 4 YEAR WARRANTY (OF WHICH ONLY 28 MONTHS HAD ELAPSED) I WANTED THE TRUNK AND CRUISE ISSUES FIXED ALONG WITH A LAUNDRY LIST OF ITEMS THAT WERE NOT ADDRESSED PREVIOUSLY THE LAST TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN UNDER WARRANTY. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE ISSUES. I FOUND A SITE ON THE INTERNET CALLED SAABNET. A PARTICULAR POST HIT THE PROBLEM ON THE HEAD. HTTP://WWW.SAABNET.COM/TSN/BB/9-5/INDEX.HTML?BID=125557 IT SAID: TURNS OUT TO BE A BADLY WORN WIRING LOOM WERE THE CABLES RUN FROM THE CAR TRUNK INTO THE TRUNK LID. 6 WIRES HAD BROKEN THROUGH THE INSULATION AND TWO HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED. THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD!!!! THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR - ITS A DESIGN FAULT. THE WIRES SEEM TO CATCH ON THE SHARP EDGE OF THE PLASTIC PROTECTOR (!) THAT FITS INTO THE LID. THEY RUB AGAINST THIS AS THE LID IS OPEN AND CLOSED. YOU CAN CHECK TO SEE IF YOURS IS OK SIMPLY BY PULLING OFF THE PROTECTIVE RUBBER BOOT THAT ATTACHES TO THE END OF THE PLASTIC PROTECTOR. I DID THE VERY SIMPLE CHECK THE POSTER RECOMMENDED ABOVE BY PULLING THE RUBBER COVER BACK AND WAS SOMEWHAT AMAZED TO SEE 4 WIRES COMPLETELY CUT AND THE OTHER 3 WITH BROKEN INSULATORS. AS THE POSTER ON SAABNET INDICATED, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND APPEARS AS IF IT COULD LEAD TO FIRE. LOOKING FURTHER ON SAABNET, I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS DISCUSSED QUITE FREQUENTLY. I BELIEVE THIS SITUATION PRESENTS A POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL AND FIRE HAZARD AND THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD IMMEDIATELY ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10166145

Official recalls

2

08V160000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Apr 9, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

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.

07V087000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 7, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

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. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.