SAAB 9-5 · model year

2005 SAAB 9-5

15 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005SAAB9-5 carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 9-5 is air bags with 2 filings, followed by exterior lighting (2) and equipment (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2005 9-5. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

15
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

15 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
EQUIPMENT1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
SUSPENSION:REAR1
STRUCTURE1
POWER TRAIN1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ENGINE1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recalls (2)

08V16000009/04/2008

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

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

07V08700007/03/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Recent Complaints

20121217CrashAIR 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. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

20120920FUEL/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.

Mileage: 122,000

20120719ENGINE

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

Mileage: 77

20120514EXTERIOR 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. *JS

Mileage: 154,000

20120514ELECTRICAL 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. *JS

Mileage: 154,000

20120323EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE IGNITION CASSETTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 113,951

20110909ENGINE 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 V

Mileage: 95,000

20110909ELECTRICAL 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 V

Mileage: 95,000

20110815EXTERIOR 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. *TR

Mileage: 137,800

20110815STRUCTURE

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. *TR

Mileage: 137,800

20110815POWER 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. *TR

Mileage: 137,800

20110531CrashAIR 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 *CN

Mileage: 46,000

20101019SUSPENSION: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. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

20100718SUSPENSION: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. *TR

Mileage: 34,104

20091107EQUIPMENT

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. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

Compare 2005SAAB9-5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 SAAB 9-5 have?
The 2005 SAAB 9-5 has 15 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 SAAB 9-5?
Yes, the 2005 SAAB 9-5 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 SAAB 9-5?
The most-complained component for the 2005 SAAB 9-5 is AIR BAGS with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and EQUIPMENT.
Is the 2005 SAAB 9-5 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.