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Saab 9-5Model year report

2003 Saab 9-5 Problems

Complaints
47filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
73,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 17 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Saab 9-5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2003 Saab 9-5. The part named most often is electrical system, with 25 complaints (53% of the total), followed by engine cooling (8) and fuel system (7). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 73,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 74 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the module and 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Air bags (1), Engine (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “My check engine light had been on- my mechanic said there was a recall (which I verified on your site), yet when I took it to Saab (and called), they said my particular VIN # was not covered. Amazing coincidence that the exact part that was recalled got replaced??!! Please advise me what I can/should do. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.”

NHTSA complaint #10249750, filed 2008-11, 79,654 miles

Engine cooling: “I was driving on the highway when my cruise control shut off and the check engine light came on. When I came to a stop my entire car died. I was stuck at a stop light in the middle of rush hour. I had to hold my left foot on the brake and pump the gas pedal to get the car to rev, but it wouldn't continue to idle. It kept dying. I had to use both the brake pedal and the gas pedal to get it off the highway to a side street, which was extremely dangerous. Several times the car died. …”

NHTSA complaint #10234670, filed 2008-07, 77,800 miles

Fuel system: “I was driving the car when suddenly the car when dead while I was driving it.I was lucky that I was able to restart it and there was a gas station right near by. It did not start up normally and was very sluggish. I was in the middle of traffic when this happened but fortunately not heavy traffic and in the right lane. It was very scary. They towed my Saab to a Saab dealer for me who had to install a new ignition. This happened about 4-5 years ago on my Saab 2003 9-5 station wagon which was built by GM. I believe it was built on the same platform of one of the cadillacs that is under recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10573322, filed 2014-03, 50,030 miles

Suspension: “Purchased a certified pre-owned 2003 Saab 9.5 aero in late august 2006 began hearing horrible (and worsening) grinding noise soon after purchase. We were thinking it was the brakes needing to be replaced...took it to a well respected national brake shop who told us we needed new right side wheel bearing and the cost would be over $700.00 the car has less than 60000 mile on it and I have done some research to find that I am not the first person to have this problem with this make/model think it is a defect that could prove fatal if not addressed immediately.”

NHTSA complaint #10180923, filed 2007-01

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,000 and 94,000 miles.

6%0–106%10–2516%25–5023%50–7529%75–10019%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (31 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 73,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’04’06’088’10’12’14’20
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Saab 9-5. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
9-5 · sedan not rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Saab 9-5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
9-5 FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192822$3,050
9-5 FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172721$3,200
9-5 FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed automatic182721$3,900
9-5 FWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162419$4,350
9-5 Wagon FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192822$3,050
9-5 Wagon FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192722$3,750
9-5 Wagon FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172620$3,350
9-5 Wagon FWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Saab 9-5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 74 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 74 bulletins →

Other model years of the Saab 9-5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2011958,0000—24—Not enough data
20082040,0002—21—Falling
20071752,0002—21—Rising
20062352,5002—22—Stable
20051195,0002—21—Not enough data
20041931,8212—21—Stable
20034773,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20026553,8376—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200110461,5994—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200011978,0083—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199911878,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Saab 9-5 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Saab 9-5 have?

NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2003 Saab 9-5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Saab 9-5 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 25 complaints (53% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 8.

Has the 2003 Saab 9-5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Saab 9-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Saab 9-5 (9-5, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 17 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Saab 9-5 reported?

Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 73,000 miles and the middle half falls between 48,000 and 94,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.