AI DamageSaab 9-5: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Saab 9-5 across 14 model years: 557 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 47% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 15% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 8 Tires 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 261 complaints (47% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 81 complaints (15% of all).
- Air bags: 64 complaints (11% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 51 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 33 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2011–2012
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1999–2009named in 4 complaints
- 2.8 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2010–2012
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 1999–2003named in 2 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 1999–2001
- automatic, 5-speed 2002–2009
- automatic, 6-speed 2010–2012
- manual, 5-speed 1999–2009named in 3 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 2011–2012named in 3 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 557 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 261 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 81 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 64 | 9 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 51 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 33 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 9 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
Tl 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.
My airbags did not deploy, nor did the seat belt lock up, which allowed me to go forward in the accident.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 25 mph, the vehicle was involved in a rear end collision, and the airbags did not deploy. The contact was wearing a seat belt, but minor injuries were sustained. There was extensive damage to the front of the vehicle. The police were alerted, and a report was taken.
Dt: the consumer's wife was in serious car accident and the side air bags did not deploy. Consumer's vehicle was hit on hit the passenger's side, and was hit so hard that the back passenger's door was stuck to the vehicle that hit it.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.