Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2005 Saab 9-5 with NHTSA between 2009 and 2012.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the Saab 9-5. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 23
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2005 Saab 9-5
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Equipment & Accessories
213.3%
Median failure at 82,975 miles
Lights
213.3%
Median failure at 145,900 miles
Suspension
213.3%
Median failure at 39,552 miles
Airbags
213.3%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 73,500 mi
Electrical System
213.3%
Median failure at 124,500 miles
Engine & Cooling
213.3%
Median failure at 47,538 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
16.7%
Median failure at 122,000 miles
Body & Structure
16.7%
Median failure at 137,800 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.7%
Median failure at 137,800 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
16.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
320.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
16.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
213.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
640.0%
150,000+ miles
213.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2009peak 3Dec 2012
Recalls on the 2005 Saab 9-5
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20070594,033 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire. Correction: Dealers will install a bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break.
Recall 2005179762 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210. The required markings for the child tether anchorage hooks are missing in the luggage compartment area. Correction: Dealers will install the required adhesive label to the luggage compartment loading floor in the near vicinity of the three anchorage hooks.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 101,000 milesGrand Blanc, MICrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED WITH IN AN ACCIDENT ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 14TH, 2012. I WAS RETURNING TO WORK ON MY LUNCH BREAK AND A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT, PULLING OUT INFRONT OF ME, AND I ENDED UP T-BONING HER GOING ROUGHLY 45MPH. I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED IN SUCH A SEVERE HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CAR HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY DECIDED TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE. IN SUCH A VIOLENT ACCIDENT I WOULD EXPECT THE AIR BAGS TO BE DEPLOYED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ACCIDENT WAS A FRONT ON COLLISION THAT TOTALED MY SAAB. I WAS TAKEN TO THE ER BECAUSE I HIT MY HEAD ON THE A FRAME AND HAD MAJOR BACK AND NECK PAIN. THIS PROBLEM ABOUT THE AIR BAGS NOT GOING OFF NEEDS TO BE KNOWN, AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS VEHICLE DID NOT MEET THE BASIC STANDARDS FOR SAFETY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10489047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesBillings, MTCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 9-5 SAAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER FACE AND MOUTH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE WAY THE SHE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/18/11 *BF UPDATED 3/6/12
NHTSA complaint #10403888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 101,000 milesGrand Blanc, MICrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED WITH IN AN ACCIDENT ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 14TH, 2012. I WAS RETURNING TO WORK ON MY LUNCH BREAK AND A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT, PULLING OUT INFRONT OF ME, AND I ENDED UP T-BONING HER GOING ROUGHLY 45MPH. I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED IN SUCH A SEVERE HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CAR HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY DECIDED TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE. IN SUCH A VIOLENT ACCIDENT I WOULD EXPECT THE AIR BAGS TO BE DEPLOYED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ACCIDENT WAS A FRONT ON COLLISION THAT TOTALED MY SAAB. I WAS TAKEN TO THE ER BECAUSE I HIT MY HEAD ON THE A FRAME AND HAD MAJOR BACK AND NECK PAIN. THIS PROBLEM ABOUT THE AIR BAGS NOT GOING OFF NEEDS TO BE KNOWN, AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS VEHICLE DID NOT MEET THE BASIC STANDARDS FOR SAFETY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10489047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 9-5 SAAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED REPEATEDLY AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND JERK. THE CONTACT THEN MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL LINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10476532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77 milesSeattle, WA
ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS SPORADICALLY ON FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. ON 7/14 COOLANT LEVEL LOW INDICATION CAME ON. COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. FILLED, STARTED ENGINE, COOLANT LEAKED IN A STEADY STREAM FROM THE CAR. TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSED IGNITION CASSETTE AS FAULTY AND WATER VALVE (PART SERVICING HEATER CORE) AS FAULTY AND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO IGNITION CASSETTE. GOOD THERE IS A WARNING, BUT IT COULD BE MORE SPECIFIC, AS FAILURE OF THIS PART SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE. WATER VALVE LEAK COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING. BOTH PARTS ARE CRITICAL AND FAILURE IN A CAR WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE IGNITION CASSETTE FOR MODEL YEARS 1999-2002 WAS RECALLED DUE TO OVERHEATING. THIS WAS REPORTEDLY FIXED. NOW THE PART THAT HAS FAILED IN A FAIRLY YOUNG CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH NORMAL CHANNELS (SAAB PARTS USA) AND SHOPS ARE CHARGING INFLATED PRICES FOR THE PART (IN MY CASE $850 AS OPPOSED TO $465 LIST PRICE; AND MY DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SELL IT FOR LESS. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT PAY MORE THAN LIST AND I AM BEING ASKED TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE). THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM WHEN A PART STANDARD TO OVER A MILLION VEHICLES IS NOT AVAILABLE EXCEPT FROM SHOPS WHO HAVE COLLECTED THE PARTS IN INVENTORY AND ARE NOW SELLING THEM ON SOMETHING NOT UNLIKE A BLACK MARKET.
NHTSA complaint #10466591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesAlexandria, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RUNNING LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF, EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10458300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesAlexandria, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RUNNING LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF, EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10458300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,951 milesBlue Bell, PA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE IGNITION CASSETTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10452822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesDelaware, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION CASSETTE CRACKS CAUSING IGNITION PROBLEMS, STALLING, ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IT MAKES IT UNPREDICTABLE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL PASTED BELOW. WHY DOES IT NOT COVER THESE OTHER MODEL YEARS? NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V410000 WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV MANUFACTURER SAAB CARS USA, INC. RECALL DATE: OCT 23, 2006 POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 5078 DESCRIPTION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE SUMMARY CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS. CONSEQUENCE OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. REMEDY DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 2003. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. NOTE: THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 05V399).
NHTSA complaint #10424440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesDelaware, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE IGNITION CASSETTE CRACKS CAUSING IGNITION PROBLEMS, STALLING, ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IT MAKES IT UNPREDICTABLE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL PASTED BELOW. WHY DOES IT NOT COVER THESE OTHER MODEL YEARS? NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V410000 WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV MANUFACTURER SAAB CARS USA, INC. RECALL DATE: OCT 23, 2006 POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 5078 DESCRIPTION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE SUMMARY CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS. CONSEQUENCE OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. REMEDY DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 2003. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. NOTE: THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 05V399).
NHTSA complaint #10424440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,800 milesConcord, NH
POWER TRAIN
BECAUSE OF IMPROPER DESIGN, REAR WIRE HARNESS FOR REVERSE LIGHTS ARE BEING SEVERED CAUSING THE REVERSING LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THIS SAME DESIGN FLAW CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND ELECTRONIC TRUNK RELEASE/LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10419580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,800 milesConcord, NH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BECAUSE OF IMPROPER DESIGN, REAR WIRE HARNESS FOR REVERSE LIGHTS ARE BEING SEVERED CAUSING THE REVERSING LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THIS SAME DESIGN FLAW CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND ELECTRONIC TRUNK RELEASE/LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10419580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,800 milesConcord, NH
STRUCTURE
BECAUSE OF IMPROPER DESIGN, REAR WIRE HARNESS FOR REVERSE LIGHTS ARE BEING SEVERED CAUSING THE REVERSING LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THIS SAME DESIGN FLAW CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND ELECTRONIC TRUNK RELEASE/LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10419580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesBillings, MTCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 9-5 SAAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER FACE AND MOUTH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE WAY THE SHE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/18/11 *BF UPDATED 3/6/12
NHTSA complaint #10403888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesCastro Valley, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
NOTICED ABNORMAL / EARLY REAR TIRE WEAR. NOTICED ABNORMAL (OUT OF MANUFACTURERS SPEC.) REAR CAMBER. NOTICED REAR SUSPENSION BOTTOM OUT WITH MODERATE LOADS (APPROX 1/2 OF MAX LOAD). OEM REAR TIRES CUPPED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT PREMATURELY DUE TO ABNORMAL REAR CAMBER. NEW TIRES INSTALLED. REAR AFTERMARKET CAMBER SHIMS INSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10361142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,104 milesEast Longmeadow, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY 2005 SAAB 9-5 ARC RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE TIRE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH COIL SPRINGS ALONG WITH THE CV BOOT. THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS IS APPROXIMATELY $1200.00 ALONG WITH THE ABOVE REPAIRS THE TIRE WAS ALSO REPLACED AT A COST OF $100.00.
NHTSA complaint #10343815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesLong Valley, NJ
EQUIPMENT
THE FACTORY FLOOR MAT SLIPPED FORWARD AND WAS WEDGED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SO THAT THE PEDAL STUCK AT ALMOST FULL THROTTLE. AVOIDED A COLLISION BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, STOPPING, AND REALIZING THE MAT WAS JAMMED INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I EXTRICATED THE MAT FROM THE PEDAL AND RESTORED THE FUNCTION TO NORMAL. THE CAR HAS RESTRAINING PINS DESIGNED TO HOLD THE MAT IN PLACE BUT THE DESIGN IS FLAWED, ESPECIALLY IF THE MAT CURLS IN THAT AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10291306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.