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Saab 9-5Model year report

2008 Saab 9-5 Problems

Complaints
20filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
40,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns 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 · 18 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Saab 9-5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2008 Saab 9-5. The part named most often is air bags, with 19 complaints (95% of the total), followed by electrical system (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 189 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 35 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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “The 2008 Saab 95 passenger air bag turns itself on and off while a passenger is sitting on the seat while driving. It supposedly is set for 90 lbs pressure but my wife and children are over 120lbs. You must pull yourself down while sitting in the seat to keep air bag functioning. My wife sat in other 2008 95 Saab's and the same thing happens. They have a faulty switch on that seat for the air bag sensor.”

NHTSA complaint #10246389, filed 2008-10, 100 miles

Electrical system: “While traveling on freeway, ignition suddenly shut off and car lost all power. Had to steer to the side of the road without power and then restart car to continue.”

NHTSA complaint #10614735, filed 2014-07, 50,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100 and 83,000 miles.

33%0–100%10–2517%25–5017%50–7533%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 40,000 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.

2008201420161320172020
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 2008 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 FWDnot rated5 / 5———
9-5 Wagon · sedan FWDnot 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 2008 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 Sedan FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182821$3,900
9-5 Sedan FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172620$4,100
9-5 SportCombi FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182821$3,900
9-5 SportCombi FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172620$4,100

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 2008 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. 189 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 189 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 2008 Saab 9-5 have?

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2008 Saab 9-5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Saab 9-5 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 19 complaints (95% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2008 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 2008 Saab 9-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Saab 9-5 (9-5 Sedan, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Saab 9-5 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 100 and 83,000 miles; 50% 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.