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Saab 9-5Model year report

2011 Saab 9-5 Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
58,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl · flex-fuel FWD · 20 city / 32 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Saab 9-5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2011 Saab 9-5. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and air bags (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 58,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 124 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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

Exterior lighting: “The rear tail lights overheat, causing the bulbs to burn out and wiring to melt. We have had the bulbs and sockets replaced multiple times on both sides since 2013, but the only thing that fixes the problem is replacing the entire assembly. Just had the socket and bulb for passenger side replaced twice in one month, and it is gone again.”

NHTSA complaint #10824423, filed 2016-02, 87,000 miles

Brakes: “Electronic emergency brake does not completely release. Noticed by excessive wear on rear brake pads/rotors, vibration when braking and poor gas mileage.”

NHTSA complaint #10806185, filed 2015-11, 36,290 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-5. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #10862214, filed 2016-04

Steering: “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 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

43% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,290 and 66,000 miles.

0%0–1029%10–2514%25–5029%50–7529%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 58,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20132015201642018
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 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 AWD2.8L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172720$3,350
9-5 Sedan FWD2.0L 4-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed manual203224$2,800
9-5 Sedan FWD2.0L 4-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic182821$3,200

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 Saab 9-5 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 124 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 124 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 2011 Saab 9-5 have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2011 Saab 9-5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Saab 9-5 is reported most often?

Exterior lighting is named most often, in 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2011 Saab 9-5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Saab 9-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Saab 9-5 (9-5 Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl · flex-fuel) at 24 mpg combined, 20 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Saab 9-5 reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 58,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,290 and 66,000 miles; 43% 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. 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.