Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 2008 Saab 9-5 with NHTSA between 2008 and 2020.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 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 — 18
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 — 97
57% 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
228.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
228.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
114.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
228.6%
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.
Oct 2008peak 5Jan 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 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 2008 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.
at 83,000 milesSanta Barbara CA, CA
AIR BAGS
I HAD MY AIRBAG REPLACED ON RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I NOW HAVE AN ERROR ALERT ON MY DASH INDICATING AN AIR BAG PROBLEM. MY SERVICE TECHNICIAN TELLS ME THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ME, BESIDES DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR OR JUNK IT (PROBABLY ILLEGAL TO SELL )
NHTSA complaint #11302603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10967765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vandergrift, PA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED 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 HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10939233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
AIR BAGS
RECALL INITIATED IN FEB 2016, NOTIFICATION RECEIVED FROM GM IN MAY OF 2016, REPAIR IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AFTER 10 MONTHS FROM DATE OF RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10936359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Paul, MN
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - ALTHOUGH THE RECALL BEGAN FEBRUARY 3, 2016, IT HAS STILL NOT BEEN COMPLETED. GIVEN THE DANGER OF BEING HIT WITH SHRAPNEL, THE SITUATION SHOULD BE REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY!
NHTSA complaint #10934851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hilton Head, SC
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 03/03/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10934141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Ellyn, IL
AIR BAGS
I RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE IN MAY OF 2016. THE RECALL WAS ACTUALLY IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. I AM BEING TOLD NOW THAT THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SOME TIME IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2017. THE RECALL STATES THE ISSUE MAY "RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS". BECAUSE OF THIS I WILL NOT HAVE ANYONE IN MY FAMILY DRIVE THIS CAR. I CAN NO LONGER BE WITHOUT THIS CAR AND FEEL IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT WE ARE PROVIDED A FULLY PAID RENTAL CAR UNTIL OURS CAN BE PROPERLY REPAIRED. THIS RECALL IS #15041.
NHTSA complaint #10930222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reedsville, PA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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 #10930052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsport, PA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10927859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10918475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Englewood, FL
AIR BAGS
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR LONG TIME FOR AN AIR BAG REPLACEMENT FROM GENERAL MOTORS WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10916539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bluffton, SC
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MAY. WE LIVE IN SC. THE NEAREST SAAB DEALER TO US IS IN JACKSONVILLE, FL. WE'VE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS NOR ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHEN THEY WILL GET THEM. SAAB CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS NO INFO EITHER. WHAT IS THE HOLDUP? WE HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER IN UPSTATE NY WHO IS GRAVELLY ILL AND NEED TO TRAVEL UP THERE.
NHTSA complaint #10908547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Palm Beach, FL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. WHEN DO I GET MY AIRBAGS REPLACED? I HEARD FROM GM IN MARCH BUT THIS IS THE END OF AUGUST!!
NHTSA complaint #10898769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesSummit Hill, PA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10895307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Warwick, RI
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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 #10881213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Utica, NY
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL- I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM IN THE MAIL IN MAY 2016 REGARDING A RECALL FOR MY AIRBAG. I CALLED THE NUMBER THEY HAD REFERENCED TWICE TO FIND OUT ABOUT USING A RENTAL VEHICLE WHILE WAITING FOR THE PART. I WAS TOLD THAT GM WAS NOT PROVIDING RENTAL CARS FOR THOSE CONSUMERS WHO WERE EFFECTED. SEEMS ODD TO ME THAT THEY SEND A LETTER STATING THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THAT THE INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH, YET DO NOT OFFER A SOLUTION. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE OFFERED THEIR CUSTOMERS A RENTAL VEHICLE. WHY NOT GM? I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY DECISION IF I WANTED TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY I NEED TO DRIVE IF I WANT TO CONTINUE MY JOB! THERE WAS NO TIMEFRAME AS TO WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE, SO I GUESS I JUST HAVE TO CROSS MY FINGERS EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR AND HOPE THAT NOTHING HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #10875540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesPasadena, CA
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesFerndale, MI
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE WOULD REMOVED THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE FOR THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP . THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
NHTSA complaint #10573937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesFerndale, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE WOULD REMOVED THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE FOR THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP . THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
NHTSA complaint #10573937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesConcord, NC
AIR BAGS
I HAVE A 2008 9-5 SAAB AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS ITSELF ON AND OFF WHILE SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE CAR IS MOVING. THE SENSOR IS SUPPOSED TO BE SET TO TURN AIRBAG ON FOR 90 LBS BUT MY WIFE AND KIDS WEIGH ABOUT 120 LBS AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON IS TO PULL YOURSELF DOWN IN THE SEAT AND HOLD ON. I HAVE NOTIFIED SAAB ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY CANNOT FIX NOR DO THEY SEEM WILLING TO TRY. MY WIFE SAT IN OTHER 2008 9-5?S AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY WITNESSED THE PROBLEM SO IT IS NOT JUST OUR CAR. I HOPE SOMEONE AT SAAB/GM WILL TAKE THIS UP AND GET IT FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR HURT DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS ON ALL 2008 9-5 MODELS! THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SENSOR IS LOCATED SUCH THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT IS DISTRIBUTED AWAY FROM THE SENSOR AND THE ?REPAIR? NOTED IN THEIR MANUAL DOES NOT WORK. THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR OTHER LINE OF CARS AS THEY HAVE DIFFERENT SENSORS. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THAT THEY KNOW GM ALSO HAS THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR LINE OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SENSOR/SEAT PROBE. I HOPE BY GETTING THIS INFORMATION OUT TO THE PUBLIC, NO ONE WILL BE HURT OR KILLED IN A CRASH INVOLVING A 2008 9-5 SAAB WHEN THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE PERSON IS LESS THAN 140 LBS AND SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10246609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesConcord, NC
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.