Saab 9-5 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 557 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls on file for the Saab 9-5, across 14 model years (1998–2011). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (119). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Saab 9-5 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 9-5 year: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 9-5: 119 complaints, 3 recalls
- 1999 9-5: 118 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2001 9-5: 104 complaints, 4 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Saab 9-5 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 261 | 10 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 81 | 9 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 64 | 13 | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 46 | 5 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 26 | 6 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 8 | 0 |
| Power Train | 16 | 10 | 0 |
| Tires | 14 | 6 | 0 |
| Equipment | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 8 | 1 |
| Visibility | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 10 | 7 | 0 |
| Wheels | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Steering | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| Suspension | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Seats | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Saab 9-5 problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2001: electrical system (56)
- 2000: electrical system (57)
- 1999: electrical system (70)
All Saab 9-5 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 9-5 | 9 | 0 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2010 9-5 | 2 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2009 9-5 | 2 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2008 9-5 | 20 | 2 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2007 9-5 | 17 | 2 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2006 9-5 | 23 | 2 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2005 9-5 | 11 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2004 9-5 | 19 | 2 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2003 9-5 | 47 | 4 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 9-5 | 65 | 6 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 9-5 | 104 | 4 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 9-5 | 119 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 9-5 | 118 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 9-5 | 1 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
More from Saab: all Saab models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Saab 9-5 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1999 (118), 2000 (119), 2001 (104), 2002 (65), 2003 (47) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 9-5 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Saab 9-5?
Electrical System, with 261 complaints across 10 model years.
How many recalls does the Saab 9-5 have?
9 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.