Owners have filed 29 complaints
about the 2006 Saab 9-5 with NHTSA between 2006 and 2019.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 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 — 24
Against the median year of the Saab 9-5. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 62
36% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
218.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
218.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
19.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
19.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
327.3%
150,000+ miles
218.2%
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.
Jul 2006peak 3Jul 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2006 Saab 9-5
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2006 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 201605217,962 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver airbag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and replace the driver airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Kiel, WI
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL.I NO LONGER HAVE THIS VEHICLE,IT WAS ACTUALLY MY DAUGHTERS CAR BUT I WAS THE CO SIGNER FOR HER LOAN.THIS VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN AT VAN HORN IN FON DU LAC ,WI AT LEAST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.WE HAVE CALLED PEOPLE INCLUDING CONTACTING GM ONLINE SAYING WE NO LONGER HAVE THIS CAR YET WE KEEP GETTING RECALL INFO!!PLEASE CONTACT VAN HORN TO SEE WHAT THEY DID WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11234819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebastopol, CA
AIR BAGS
2006 SAAB. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD
NHTSA complaint #11097409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECIEVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PUTNAM BUICK PONTIAC GMC DEALER (198 CALIFORNIA DRIVE, BURLINGAME, CA 94010; 650-342-9500) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE BACKORDER ON THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11023987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Honolulu, HI
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE REPAIR COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF AVAILABLE DEALERS TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SHIP THE VEHICLE TO CALIFORNIA OR TAKES THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER. HONOLULU BUICK GMC CADILLAC LOCATED AT 2945 N NIMITIZ HWY, HONOLULU, HI WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DID NOT PERFORM THAT TYPE OF SERVICE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11021772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesDayton, OH
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - AIRBAG ON ABOVE CAR WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL ON 5/25/2017. NOW, THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON SPORADICALLY. THE GARAGE - JUST SAAB (513) 527-4300 - WHO REPLACED THE AIRBAG CLAIMED THE FIRST TIME WHEN I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THEM THAT IT WAS "RESISTANCE" THAT CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON AND THEY FIXED THIS PROBLEM. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON SPORADICALLY AND I BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAG I RECEIVED AS A REPLACEMENT IS DEFECTIVE. THE GARAGE INSISTS I DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO THEM, AGAIN, SO THEY CAN CHECK THE AIRBAG AGAIN. HERE IS WHAT IS HAPPENING: WHEN THE CAR IS BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND CHIME COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS OFF. THEN, THE CAR IS DRIVING FORWARD, AGAIN, THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TURNS OFF. THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR MANY MILES AND THE LIGHT STAYS OFF. THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOESN'T COME WHEN THE CAR DRIVES OVER A BUMP. THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN FOR MANY MILES AND THE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON. THE RANDOMNESS OF THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNING ON AND OFF MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE OCCURRENCE OTHER THAN ASSUMING THAT THE REPLACED TAKATA AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE - STILL - SINCE THE CAR NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED BY JUST SAAB IN CINCINNATI
NHTSA complaint #11020280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cohasset, MA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10972033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meredith, NH
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10950304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED THE FIRST RECALL LETTER INVOLVING THE TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS BACK IN MAY 24, 2016. THE CAR DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I GET THE SECOND LETTER WHICH, AS OF YET, I HAVEN'T RECEIVED
NHTSA complaint #10940322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Swanton, VT
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10919823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Blanc, MI
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10909979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rutland, VT
AIR BAGS
SLOW REMEDY FOR AIRBAG RECALL AND REPAIR. WHEN WILL THIS BE ELIGIBLE TO BE REPAIRED?
NHTSA complaint #10899747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hingham, MA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - TAKING TOO LONG TO REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10901905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Collins, CO
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10888453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,500 milesLA Vergne, TN
POWER TRAIN
THIS CAR HAD A SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE INVOLVING THE STEERING, XENON HEADLAMPS AND POWER TRAIN, SPECIFICALLY THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. ALL SYSTEMS NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT GM HAS NOT MADE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE, HAS NOT CORRECTED PRODUCTION ERRORS IN CURRENT PARTS. CURRENT PARTS ON MARKET FAIL WITH 10000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10758592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,500 milesLA Vergne, TN
STEERING
THIS CAR HAD A SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE INVOLVING THE STEERING, XENON HEADLAMPS AND POWER TRAIN, SPECIFICALLY THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. ALL SYSTEMS NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT GM HAS NOT MADE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE, HAS NOT CORRECTED PRODUCTION ERRORS IN CURRENT PARTS. CURRENT PARTS ON MARKET FAIL WITH 10000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10758592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,500 milesLA Vergne, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS CAR HAD A SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE INVOLVING THE STEERING, XENON HEADLAMPS AND POWER TRAIN, SPECIFICALLY THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. ALL SYSTEMS NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT GM HAS NOT MADE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE, HAS NOT CORRECTED PRODUCTION ERRORS IN CURRENT PARTS. CURRENT PARTS ON MARKET FAIL WITH 10000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10758592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 187,123 milesAlston, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS OF THIS CAR IS SO WEAK THAT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK. I DID POLISH THE OUTSIDE OF THE LIGHTS BOX BUT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. I REPLACED THE LIGHTS WITH SAAB BUT IT IS STILL VERY HARD TO SEE THE ROAD IN THE DARK.
NHTSA complaint #10743352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 187,000 milesAllston, MA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-5 EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE CHAMPION HR TIRES, SIZE: 235/45R/17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALLS OF TWO TIRES WERE CRACKED. FIRESTONE INSPECTED THE TIRES AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTACT RAN OVER THE UTILITY, WHICH CAUSED THE CRACKS. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
NHTSA complaint #10743357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkins Park, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER AND RE START. I TOOK THE CAR TO SAAB DEALER AND THEY COULD NO FIND ANYTHING. I LATER TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER SAAB DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW DEVICE (BELIEVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH COMPUTER) AND SAID THAT IF THAT DID NOT TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM, THEY DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER. THERE WERE NO FURTHER ISSUES UNTIL MAYBE 2 YEARS LATER, ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE COMING OFF A RAMP BUT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO LOW FUEL ACCORDING TO DEALER (MY FUEL WAS LOW). THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY FURTHER INCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10604642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesNEW York, NY
ENGINE
ENGINE MISFIRING, DUE TO COMMON DI CASSETTE ISSUES THAT PLAGUED OTHER MODELS, SOME OF WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. THIS SHOULDN'T FAIL AFTER ON 60,000, REGARDLESS OF AGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN IT'S EXORBITANT COST. THANKFULLY IT HASN'T FAILED ME ON THE HIGHWAY (YET).
NHTSA complaint #10522549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madera, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNKNOWN- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. EACH TIME OF REPLACEMENT THE ACTUAL PART HAS MELTED, BURNED OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES. THE PART IS MELTING AGAIN MAKING THIS THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT IN A 3 MONTH PERIOD. ENGINE - EXHAUST MANIFOLD/CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND ALL SAAB AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN NORTHERN CA. STATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET PART DUE TO BEING ON BACK ORDER AND NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART OUT OF STATE IN CHICAGO AT QUALITY AUTO PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10510972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madera, CA
ENGINE
UNKNOWN- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. EACH TIME OF REPLACEMENT THE ACTUAL PART HAS MELTED, BURNED OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES. THE PART IS MELTING AGAIN MAKING THIS THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT IN A 3 MONTH PERIOD. ENGINE - EXHAUST MANIFOLD/CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND ALL SAAB AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN NORTHERN CA. STATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET PART DUE TO BEING ON BACK ORDER AND NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART OUT OF STATE IN CHICAGO AT QUALITY AUTO PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10510972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesMilwaukee, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, CAR WOULDN'T STOP. WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR BY PUSHING EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10298139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,500 milesDallas, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN AMBIENT TEMPS EXCEED 90F. CAR FUNCTIONS NORMALLY UNTIL YOU ENCOUNTER SUMMER TEMPS AND HEAVY TRAFFIC. THEN, UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAR HESITATES SEVERELY UNTIL ENGINE SPEED REACHES APPROXIMATELY 2100 RPM. THEN ACCELERATION COMES ON STRONGER THAN EXPECTED. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DISTURBING WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS OR ENTERING A BUSY STREET. CAR SOMETIMES MISFIRES WHEN THIS OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10233488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,500 milesDallas, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN AMBIENT TEMPS EXCEED 90F. CAR FUNCTIONS NORMALLY UNTIL YOU ENCOUNTER SUMMER TEMPS AND HEAVY TRAFFIC. THEN, UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAR HESITATES SEVERELY UNTIL ENGINE SPEED REACHES APPROXIMATELY 2100 RPM. THEN ACCELERATION COMES ON STRONGER THAN EXPECTED. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DISTURBING WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS OR ENTERING A BUSY STREET. CAR SOMETIMES MISFIRES WHEN THIS OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10233488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.