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Saab 9-5Model year report

2004 Saab 9-5 Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
31,821miles, 17 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Saab 9-5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2004 Saab 9-5. The part named most often is electrical system, with 13 complaints (68% of the total), followed by engine (2) and engine cooling (2). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 65% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 31,821 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 82 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “A recall was previously issued for Saab direct ignition cassette failures for model years 2000 through 2002. My 2004 Saab 9-5 arc, which has 46,180 miles on it, had to have the di cassette replaced today due to failure. My model year should have been included in this recall due to the limited (less than reasonable) life of the part.”

NHTSA complaint #10421659, filed 2011-08, 46,172 miles

Engine: “I have owned a 2004 Saab 9-5 sport combi wagon since 2006. Twice, over the last several years (2011, 2014), my husband and I have been on the highway and had an ignition switch incident where he was the driver and I was the passenger. In both incidents, I turned around to talk to my daughter (2011) and then daughters (2014) and inadvertently bumped the key in the ignition with my knee. The ignition switch is located in the center of the car by the console. It only took a slight tap of my knee and my car shut off while going at speeds of 75-80 MPH on the highway. …”

NHTSA complaint #10608119, filed 2014-07, 70,000 miles

Engine cooling: “I own a 2004 Saab 9-5 wagon, which was purchased in nov 2004. There were approximately 31,800 miles on the car at the time of this failure, which occurred in late july 2008. (ironically, less than 2 weeks after having taken the car for routine service/oil change/tire rotation.) after having run 2 errands (I.e. Two stops & starts), I was driving to work on a relatively busy 4-lane road. Just after having come down a hill & rounding a corner, with estimated speed 35mph, the car's engine cut out, the power steering went out, & the brakes seemed not to work appropriately. …”

NHTSA complaint #10237522, filed 2008-08, 31,821 miles

Fuel system: “I purchased my 2004 Saab 9-5 in 2023. I was under the impression that everything was running and that drivability was proper. When I attempted to drive the automobile it would start, idle 7 minutes and stall. It would not start again for about 35 minutes. I tried to use it, and this behavior continued. Often, in traffic it would stall while I was moving at low speed, and moderate speed: Without warning, it cuts out and won't start for 40 minutes. I have spent money with my mechanic, over $1,000. I personally bought many parts: MAF sensor, fuel pump relay, fuel filter, and fuel pump. …”

NHTSA complaint #11660144, filed 2025-05

Mileage when problems were reported

65% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,500 and 60,000 miles.

35%0–1012%10–2518%25–5029%50–756%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (17 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 31,821 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

200520082011201442025
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 2004 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———
9-5 Wagon · 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 2004 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 manual182721$3,200
9-5 FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172620$3,350
9-5 FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172520$4,100
9-5 Wagon FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182722$3,050
9-5 Wagon FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182621$3,200
9-5 Wagon FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172620$3,350

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 2004 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. 82 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 82 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 2004 Saab 9-5 have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2004 Saab 9-5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Saab 9-5 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 13 complaints (68% of the total), followed by engine with 2.

Has the 2004 Saab 9-5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Saab 9-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Saab 9-5 (9-5, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 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 2004 Saab 9-5 reported?

Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 31,821 miles and the middle half falls between 5,500 and 60,000 miles; 65% 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.