Saab

9-5 Wagon (2008)

2008 · Full-Size Sedan · 1 engine
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.2)
20 NHTSA Complaints
2 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
0 Crash Reports
View all 3 generations of the Saab 9-5 Wagon → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

2.3T-I4-Gas

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo
⚠️ Caution (3.2)
18 complaints 18.0 per year Gasoline
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Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
18
electrical
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (18 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

Saab 9-5 Wagon Unidentified Engine

Recommended (4.3)
2 complaints 2.0 per year
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Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1
electrical
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Saab 9-5 Wagon regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (19 complaints)
safety_systems cosmetic

Recalls (2)

16V063000Mar 1, 2016critical
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

08V160000Sep 3, 2008serious
Seats

SAAB IS RECALLING 57,389 MY 2002-2008 9-5 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING COMPLIANCE TESTING, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENTS.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2008-2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon problems?

The 2008-2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon has accumulated 20 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Saab 9-5 Wagon engine is most reliable?

The 2008-2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Saab 9-5 Wagon Unidentified Engine has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2008-2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon a good used car?

The 2008-2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 20 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008-2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon have?

The 2008-2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon has 20 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2008-2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon?

There are 2 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2008-2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Saab 9-5 Wagon?

Before buying a used Saab 9-5 Wagon, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the 9-5 Wagon have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 20 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: low. Last updated: 2026-05-20.

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