Saab 9-5 recall history
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Saab 9-5, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Saab 9-5. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Saab 9-5, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1965–2011 with 40 recall campaigns and 724 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 2002 (6), 2003 (4), and 2001 (4).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 1999 (157), 2000 (121), and 2001 (113).
- Top recall themes: Fuel and emissions, Airbags, and Brakes.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Fuel and emissions
3 campaigns · Years: 1967–1968, 1970, 2001–2005These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Airbags
2 campaigns · Years: 2000–2001, 2006–2009These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Brakes
2 campaigns · Years: 1965, 1969These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Electrical
2 campaigns · Years: 2000–2003These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Other
2 campaigns · Years: 1969, 1999–2003These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Steering and suspension
2 campaigns · Years: 1970, 2002These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Equipment and labeling
1 campaign · Years: 1999These campaigns relate to equipment compliance, labeling, or tires.
- 98V139000 · Equipment: Labels
Seats and restraints
1 campaign · Years: 2002–2008These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
- 08V160000 · Seats: Head restraint
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Saab 9-5 in NHTSA complaint data are Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | 11 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Power train. |
| 2010 | 0 | 2 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield, Air bags. |
| 2009 | 1 | 2 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags. |
| 2008 | 2 | 21 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Air bags:frontal. |
| 2007 | 2 | 17 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine and engine cooling, Power train:automatic transmission. |
| 2006 | 2 | 29 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Engine. |
| 2005 | 2 | 15 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Exterior lighting, Equipment. |
| 2004 | 2 | 30 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system:ignition:switch. |
| 2003 | 4 | 69 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition:module, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 2002 | 6 | 74 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 2002 | 0 | 15 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 2001 | 4 | 113 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 2001 | 0 | 28 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 2000 | 3 | 121 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 2000 | 0 | 19 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 1999 | 2 | 157 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:module, Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 1998 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module. |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1971 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1970 | 3 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1969 | 2 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1965 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Fuel system , Seats and Air bags
Other Saab Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Saab models.
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.