AI Damage1999 Saab 9-5: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Saab 9-5 filed 118 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 118
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 59% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 3% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 70 complaints (59% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 17 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel system: 8 complaints (7% of all).
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 4 complaints (3% 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.
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 2 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 118 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 | 70 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Then brake failure occured, and cruise control would not disengage. Car could not be stopped, collision with highway wall. Car destroyed. No injuries.
The consumers vehicle was then struck on the side and the air bags failed to deploy, however the consumer noticed the air bag light had illuminated after the incident.
My saab was totalled on 11/15/99 because it began to roll from side to side when I made a quick lane change. This rolling had happened twice before in similar situations but I managed to regain control both times. The last time I was not so lucky. I h
Parking brakes failed on two occasions, one incident resulted in damage to vehicle when vehicle rolled into objects.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saab 9-5. The contact stated that while parked, the passenger's side impact air bag erroneously deployed. The vehicle was not involved in a crash or any type of impact.
My vehicle was sold originally in california and has been a california registered vehicle at all times. It has rear fog lights installed with it's own separate switch on cluster dash for them . This vehicle does not comply with the california vehicle code 24602 fog tail lamps or rear fog lights.
My vehicle has a crack about 2 inches in length on the right rear side on roof top. I can provide pictures and would like my vehicle investigated into on this issue.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,170 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 9% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 9-5 has 40 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 118, above average.
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.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Saab 9-5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 118. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (22%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%), warning lights, check engine (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Saab 9-5?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Saab 9-5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
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.