1999 Saab 9-5 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 7%of 118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,914miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the fuel system of the 1999 Saab 9-5, 7% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,914 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Leaking fuel tanks. I have replaced the fuel tank on this vehicle twice. The tank is now leaking again. The leaks cause the check engine light to come on (small evaporate leak code) and occasionally cause fuel vapors in the cabin. The tank is made of plastic, making it impossible to repair - must be replaced. Without replacement, vehicle will fail emissions testing and I fear fire hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10158850, filed 2006-06, 150,000 miles“The check engine came on recently and I took my 1999 Saab 9-5 to the dealer. After several attempts to correct the problem , it was found to be a crack in the fuel tank. The car was stored outside with little gas in the tank while waiting for Saab to locate a new tank. It has taken over 5 weeks and Saab claims no responsibility for the problem. My question is: have there been other reports of cracked fuel tanks made for Saab cars from 1999 to 2005 which all use the same tank?”
NHTSA complaint #10158875, filed 2006-06, 95,480 miles“I parked my car in my driveway, went out to move it into the garage and it would not start. I had the car towed and learned it was an internal problem in the fuel pump. I had to purchase a fuel pump. This happened in november 2003, I owned the car less than three years. The time before that it had to be towed, it just lost speed, as I was driving on the expressway. I had to have torque seals & ring block replaced in january 2005, the oil was running out of my transmission. I just had to have the brakes replaced for the 2nd time, in five years, in january 4, 2005.”
NHTSA complaint #10109841, filed 2005-02, 60,564 miles“(1) due to a manufacturing defect in the design of the car, a hole has developed in the top of the plastic gas tank of 1999 Saab 9-5 sedan. (2) a smoke test has revealed the hole in the top of the tank. The car has developed a gas evaporation leak. There are prominent gas fumes and smells in the car's cabin, and the check engine light has come on. (3) this is the second gas tank on the car, the first tank was replaced by a Saab dealership after it failed to pressurize properly, a related issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10152686, filed 2006-03, 70,000 miles“The contact stated the check engine light illuminated constantly when the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer who determined that there was a crack in the fuel tank.”
NHTSA complaint #10165214, filed 2006-08, 74,349 milesFuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Saab 9-5
70 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Saab 9-5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology