9-5 (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
2.3T-I4-Gas
2.3L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.0T-V6-Gas
3.0L 6-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Saab 9-5 Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
LPT
2.3L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
LH6
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Saab 9-5, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2000-2009 Saab 9-5
On a used 2000-2009 Saab 9-5, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (179), the engine (63) and the cooling system (57). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 63 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 about the engine, all engines combined.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 57 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 about the cooling system, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 55 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Recalls (8)
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 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.
Show 3 older recalls
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF AN OWNER CHANGES THEIR WHEELS/TIRES BETWEEN SUMMER AND WINTER USING A STEEL WHEEL IN THE WINTER AND AN ALLOY WHEEL IN THE SUMMER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR RUST AND CONTAMINATION TO BUILD UP ON THE WHEEL HUB DURING THE STEEL WHEEL USAGE. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE CONTAMINATION IS NOT REMOVED, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AFTER THE TIRE CHANGE SERVICE, SOME OF THIS CONTAMINATION COULD FLAKE OR GRIND AWAY RESULTING IN REDUCED CLAMPING FORCE OF THE WHEEL TO THE HUB. OVER SEVERAL SEASONS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS REDUCED FORCE COULD RESULT IN FRACTURES DEVELOPING IN THE WHEEL BOLTS DUE TO WHEEL TO HUB MOVEMENT.
THE STEERING KNUCKLE CASTINGS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED DURING THE CASTING PROCESS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG ALERT LABELS MAY NOT BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD.
Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 complaints?
Owners have filed 390 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the cooling system.
Is the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 390 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 have?
NHTSA has 390 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls covering some 2000-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Saab 9-5?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the cooling system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the 9-5 have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2009 Saab 9-5. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 390 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.