SAAB 9-5 · model year

2006 SAAB 9-5

29 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006SAAB9-5 carries 29 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, 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 2006 9-5 is air bags with 13 filings, followed by engine (2) and electrical system (2). 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 2006 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.

29
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

29 filings

Crashes Reported

0 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 BAGS13
ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC1
TIRES:SIDEWALL1
STEERING1
POWER TRAIN1

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

16V06300003/02/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 deploy

Recent Complaints

20190725AIR 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.

20180522AIR BAGS

2006 SAAB. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

20170918AIR 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.

20170906AIR 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.

20170829AIR 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'

Mileage: 5

20170412AIR 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.

20170208AIR 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.

20170107AIR 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

20161028AIR 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.

20160927AIR 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.

20160831AIR BAGS

SLOW REMEDY FOR AIRBAG RECALL AND REPAIR. WHEN WILL THIS BE ELIGIBLE TO BE REPAIRED?

20160827AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - TAKING TOO LONG TO REPLACE.

20160725AIR 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.

20150822STEERING

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.

Mileage: 112,500

20150822POWER 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.

Mileage: 112,500

20150822EXTERIOR 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.

Mileage: 112,500

20150724EXTERIOR 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.

Mileage: 187,123

20150724TIRES: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.

Mileage: 187,000

20140619ELECTRICAL 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. *TR

20130701ENGINE

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). *TR

Mileage: 61,000

Compare 2006SAAB9-5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 SAAB 9-5 have?
The 2006 SAAB 9-5 has 29 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 SAAB 9-5?
Yes, the 2006 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 2006 SAAB 9-5?
The most-complained component for the 2006 SAAB 9-5 is AIR BAGS with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2006 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.