Saab 9-5 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 552 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the Saab 9-5 (1999–2011) that have at least 5 complaints. 2000 has the most, with 119. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (261 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 9-5 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 9 | 58,000 | 0 | 124 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 20 | 40,000 | 2 | 189 | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 17 | 52,000 | 2 | 173 | — | Rising |
| 2006 | 23 | 52,500 | 2 | 156 | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 11 | 95,000 | 2 | 112 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 19 | 31,821 | 2 | 82 | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 47 | 73,000 | 4 | 74 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 65 | 53,837 | 6 | 59 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 104 | 61,599 | 4 | 51 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 119 | 78,008 | 3 | 45 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 118 | 78,000 | 2 | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system261 48%
- Engine cooling81 15%
- Air bags61 11%
- Fuel system58 11%
- Brakes35 6.5%
- Transmission and drivetrain16 3.0%
- Exterior lighting16 3.0%
- Tires14 2.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2000: “Complaint about automobile paint.I purchased car recently and the hood and top on car is flaky and faded.the color description is gray.I am wondering if this is a problem with cars that were made in the year 2000.the hood and top would have to be painted.it doesn't look like tree sap or any foreign substance affected the paint.it looks like the paint just broke down.”
NHTSA complaint #10935339, filed 2016-12, 123,000 miles2011: “Have a 2011 9-5 aero and just hit 58k. Very recently I've been noticing the popping/thudding when driving away quickly with the wheel turned, ex: when pulling away from a stop sign and turning left/right. I also can force the car to exhibit the binding/grinding deep noise when in first with the wheel turned almost at lock either right or left with very little throttle depression. …”
NHTSA complaint #10726594, filed 2015-06, 58,000 miles2001: “I just bought this car. The check engine light comes on indicating a serious problem. I had the error codes checked. They are p1312 and p1334. These codes indicate a problem with the dic (direct ignition controller). Earlier models were subject to recall. There is apparently still a problem. I keep clearing the warning signal, but it keeps recurring.”
NHTSA complaint #10521786, filed 2013-06, 101,550 milesOther Saab models
1,345 complaintsSaab 900
345 complaintsSaab 9-7X
171 complaintsSaab 9000
132 complaintsSaab 9-2X
121 complaintsSaab 9-3 Convertible
61 complaintsSaab Aero
11 complaintsSaab 952
8 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology