2005 Saab 9-5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 9-5 years
- Fewer complaints than other years 10th of 14 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Saab 9-5. That ranks 10th out of 14 9-5 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (2 complaints, 18%), typically at around 73,500 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 injury. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.

- 11owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2005 Saab 9-5 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 | 18% | 73,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 18% | 124,500 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 18% | 82,976 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 18% | 145,900 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 18% | 39,552 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 9% | 77 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 9% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 9% | 122,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 9% | 137,800 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 9% | 137,800 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2005 Saab 9-5 recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Seats:front assembly:head restraint
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
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
The ignition cassette needed to be replaced. *tr
Other Saab 9-5 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 9-5 | 9 | 0 |
| 2010 9-5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 9-5 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 9-5 | 20 | 2 |
| 2007 9-5 | 17 | 2 |
| 2006 9-5 | 23 | 2 |
| 2005 | 11 | 2 |
| 2004 9-5 | 19 | 2 |
| 2003 9-5 | 47 | 4 |
| 2002 9-5 | 65 | 6 |
| 2001 9-5 | 104 | 4 |
| 2000 9-5 | 119 | 3 |
| 1999 9-5 | 118 | 2 |
| 1998 9-5 | 1 | 0 |
See all Saab 9-5 problems by year, every Saab model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Saab models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saab 9-5?
Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, equipment problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Saab 9-5?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2005 Saab 9-5 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 9-5 model years, the 2005 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.