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: 11 of 11 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.
Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. 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.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
11 reports
101,000 miles · Dec 17, 2012
Air BagsCrash
I WAS INVOLVED WITH IN AN ACCIDENT ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 14TH, 2012. I WAS RETURNING TO WORK ON MY LUNCH BREAK AND A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT, PULLING OUT INFRONT OF ME, AND I ENDED UP T-BONING HER GOING ROUGHLY 45MPH. I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED IN SUCH A SEVERE HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CAR HAS BEEN SEEN …
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I WAS INVOLVED WITH IN AN ACCIDENT ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 14TH, 2012. I WAS RETURNING TO WORK ON MY LUNCH BREAK AND A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT, PULLING OUT INFRONT OF ME, AND I ENDED UP T-BONING HER GOING ROUGHLY 45MPH. I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED IN SUCH A SEVERE HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CAR HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY DECIDED TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE. IN SUCH A VIOLENT ACCIDENT I WOULD EXPECT THE AIR BAGS TO BE DEPLOYED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ACCIDENT WAS A FRONT ON COLLISION THAT TOTALED MY SAAB. I WAS TAKEN TO THE ER BECAUSE I HIT MY HEAD ON THE A FRAME AND HAD MAJOR BACK AND NECK PAIN. THIS PROBLEM ABOUT THE AIR BAGS NOT GOING OFF NEEDS TO BE KNOWN, AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS VEHICLE DID NOT MEET THE BASIC STANDARDS FOR SAFETY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10489047
122,000 miles · Sep 20, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 9-5 SAAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED REPEATEDLY AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND JERK. THE CONTACT THEN MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 9-5 SAAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED REPEATEDLY AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND JERK. THE CONTACT THEN MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL LINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10476532
77 miles · Jul 19, 2012
Engine
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS SPORADICALLY ON FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. ON 7/14 COOLANT LEVEL LOW INDICATION CAME ON. COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. FILLED, STARTED ENGINE, COOLANT LEAKED IN A STEADY STREAM FROM THE CAR. TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSED IGNITION CASSETTE AS FAULTY AND WATER VALVE (PART SERVICING HEATER CORE) AS FAULTY AND THE SOURC…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS SPORADICALLY ON FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. ON 7/14 COOLANT LEVEL LOW INDICATION CAME ON. COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. FILLED, STARTED ENGINE, COOLANT LEAKED IN A STEADY STREAM FROM THE CAR. TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSED IGNITION CASSETTE AS FAULTY AND WATER VALVE (PART SERVICING HEATER CORE) AS FAULTY AND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO IGNITION CASSETTE. GOOD THERE IS A WARNING, BUT IT COULD BE MORE SPECIFIC, AS FAILURE OF THIS PART SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE. WATER VALVE LEAK COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING. BOTH PARTS ARE CRITICAL AND FAILURE IN A CAR WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE IGNITION CASSETTE FOR MODEL YEARS 1999-2002 WAS RECALLED DUE TO OVERHEATING. THIS WAS REPORTEDLY FIXED. NOW THE PART THAT HAS FAILED IN A FAIRLY YOUNG CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH NORMAL CHANNELS (SAAB PARTS USA) AND SHOPS ARE CHARGING INFLATED PRICES FOR THE PART (IN MY CASE $850 AS OPPOSED TO $465 LIST PRICE; AND MY DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SELL IT FOR LESS. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT PAY MORE THAN LIST AND I AM BEING ASKED TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE). THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM WHEN A PART STANDARD TO OVER A MILLION VEHICLES IS NOT AVAILABLE EXCEPT FROM SHOPS WHO HAVE COLLECTED THE PARTS IN INVENTORY AND ARE NOW SELLING THEM ON SOMETHING NOT UNLIKE A BLACK MARKET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466591
154,000 miles · May 14, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
RUNNING LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF, EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10458300
113,951 miles · Mar 23, 2012
Equipment
THE IGNITION CASSETTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10452822
95,000 miles · Sep 9, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE IGNITION CASSETTE CRACKS CAUSING IGNITION PROBLEMS, STALLING, ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IT MAKES IT UNPREDICTABLE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL PASTED BELOW. WHY DOES IT NOT COVER THESE OTHER MODEL YEARS? NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V410000 WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV MANUFACTURER SAAB CARS USA, INC. RECALL …
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THE IGNITION CASSETTE CRACKS CAUSING IGNITION PROBLEMS, STALLING, ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IT MAKES IT UNPREDICTABLE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL PASTED BELOW. WHY DOES IT NOT COVER THESE OTHER MODEL YEARS? NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V410000 WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV MANUFACTURER SAAB CARS USA, INC. RECALL DATE: OCT 23, 2006 POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 5078 DESCRIPTION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE SUMMARY 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. CONSEQUENCE OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. NOTE: THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 05V399). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424440
137,800 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Exterior LightingPower TrainStructure
BECAUSE OF IMPROPER DESIGN, REAR WIRE HARNESS FOR REVERSE LIGHTS ARE BEING SEVERED CAUSING THE REVERSING LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THIS SAME DESIGN FLAW CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND ELECTRONIC TRUNK RELEASE/LOCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10419580
46,000 miles · May 31, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 9-5 SAAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER FACE AND MOUTH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT M…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 9-5 SAAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER FACE AND MOUTH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE WAY THE SHE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/18/11 *BF UPDATED 3/6/12 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10403888
45,000 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Suspension
NOTICED ABNORMAL / EARLY REAR TIRE WEAR. NOTICED ABNORMAL (OUT OF MANUFACTURERS SPEC.) REAR CAMBER. NOTICED REAR SUSPENSION BOTTOM OUT WITH MODERATE LOADS (APPROX 1/2 OF MAX LOAD). OEM REAR TIRES CUPPED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT PREMATURELY DUE TO ABNORMAL REAR CAMBER. NEW TIRES INSTALLED. REAR AFTERMARKET CAMBER SHIMS IN…
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NOTICED ABNORMAL / EARLY REAR TIRE WEAR. NOTICED ABNORMAL (OUT OF MANUFACTURERS SPEC.) REAR CAMBER. NOTICED REAR SUSPENSION BOTTOM OUT WITH MODERATE LOADS (APPROX 1/2 OF MAX LOAD). OEM REAR TIRES CUPPED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT PREMATURELY DUE TO ABNORMAL REAR CAMBER. NEW TIRES INSTALLED. REAR AFTERMARKET CAMBER SHIMS INSTALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361142
34,104 miles · Jul 18, 2010
Suspension
MY 2005 SAAB 9-5 ARC RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE TIRE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH COIL SPRINGS ALONG WITH THE CV BOOT. THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS IS APPROXIMATELY $1200.00 ALONG WITH THE ABOVE REPAIRS THE TIRE WAS ALSO REPLAC…
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MY 2005 SAAB 9-5 ARC RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE TIRE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH COIL SPRINGS ALONG WITH THE CV BOOT. THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS IS APPROXIMATELY $1200.00 ALONG WITH THE ABOVE REPAIRS THE TIRE WAS ALSO REPLACED AT A COST OF $100.00. *TR
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.
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.
2005 Saab 9-5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year