FaultScore

Worst years for a Saab 9-5

Owners have filed 662 complaints about the Saab 9-5 with NHTSA across model years 1998 to 2011. More of them are about the electrical system than anything else.

Avoid

2001 Saab 9-5

113 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly electrical system.

Cleanest on record

2011 Saab 9-5

11 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Saab 9-5 year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2011 A 11 0 0 58,000 Lights
2010 2 0 0 Airbags
2009 2 0 0 Airbags
2008 B 21 0 0 30,000 Airbags
2007 A 17 0 0 52,000 Airbags
2006 A 29 0 0 61,000 Airbags
2005 C 15 2 0 101,000 Engine & Cooling
2004 C 30 1 3 46,500 Electrical System
2003 C 69 1 0 75,400 Electrical System
2002 D 74 3 6 46,000 Electrical System
2001 D 113 0 8 57,447 Electrical System
2000 D 121 1 5 76,813 Electrical System
1999 D 157 5 1 77,000 Electrical System
1998 1 0 0 Brakes

What breaks on a Saab 9-5

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Electrical System 306 46.2%

Worst in 1999

Engine & Cooling 76 11.5%

Worst in 2001

Airbags 61 9.2%

Worst in 2008

Worst in 2001

Brakes 36 5.4%

Worst in 2000

Transmission & Drivetrain 16 2.4%

Worst in 1999

Lights 13 2.0%

Worst in 2011

Tires 13 2.0%

Worst in 2003

Equipment & Accessories 12 1.8%

Worst in 1999

Body & Structure 10 1.5%

Worst in 1999

Acceleration & Cruise Control 10 1.5%

Worst in 1999

Wheels 10 1.5%

Worst in 2001

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 9 1.4%

Worst in 2000

Other & Unspecified 9 1.4%

Worst in 2002

Exactly what failed on a Saab 9-5

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Module 131 50.6%
Ignition 54 20.8%
Engine 18 6.9%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 14 5.4%
Control Unit/Module 10 3.9%
Catalytic Convertor 8 3.1%
Vacuum 6 2.3%
Gasoline 6 2.3%
Fuel Pump 6 2.3%
Tank Assembly 6 2.3%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Saab 9-5, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Sep 1999 peak 22 May 2025

Saab 9-5 problems by state

Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.

Compare the Saab 9-5

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.