SAAB 9-5 · model year

2011 SAAB 9-5

11 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011SAAB9-5 carries 11 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. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 9-5 is exterior lighting with 5 filings, followed by service brakes (2) and power train (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.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2011 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.

11
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

11 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
SERVICE BRAKES2
POWER TRAIN1
STEERING1
AIR BAGS1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recent Complaints

20181208STRUCTURE:BODY

PREMATURE WEAR (BURN-OUT) OF THE HALOGEN-STYLE LIGHT BULBS IN EACH OF THE REAR TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS (THE HALOGEN LIGHTS SERVE AS BOTH A TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT). THE HALOGEN LIGHTS APPEAR TO BURN OUT EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. THE BULBS ARE CREATING EXCESSIVE HEAT WITHIN THE LIGHT HOUSING AND MELTING/FUSING TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING. I BELIEVE THIS IS POTENTIALLY A FIRE RISK. THERE IS PREMATURE RUST FORMING ON THE TRUNK LID ASWELL.

Mileage: 80,000

20181208EXTERIOR LIGHTING

PREMATURE WEAR (BURN-OUT) OF THE HALOGEN-STYLE LIGHT BULBS IN EACH OF THE REAR TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS (THE HALOGEN LIGHTS SERVE AS BOTH A TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT). THE HALOGEN LIGHTS APPEAR TO BURN OUT EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. THE BULBS ARE CREATING EXCESSIVE HEAT WITHIN THE LIGHT HOUSING AND MELTING/FUSING TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING. I BELIEVE THIS IS POTENTIALLY A FIRE RISK. THERE IS PREMATURE RUST FORMING ON THE TRUNK LID ASWELL.

Mileage: 80,000

20180905SERVICE BRAKES

MY 2011 SAAB 9-5 IS CURRENTLY IN THE SAAB REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL REPLACED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT RETURN TO ITS PROPER POSITION AND WAS LOCKING THE BRAKES ON AND ALSO LOCKING THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON. IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS HOLDING IT BACK. IN MY CASE I RUINED THE BRAKE ROTORS AND DISCS AS THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THIS COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE AND MADE THE CAR HARD TO HANDLE AND OF COURSE REDUCED THE PROPER BRAKING ABILITY. GM SHOULD PUT OUT AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL CASES LIKE MINE. IT TOOK A LONG TIME FOR ME TO BE AWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. MOSTLY IN HOT AND HUMID WEATHER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY. GM SAFETY RECALL NEEDED NOW! CONTACT SAAB IM AUTOHAUS, 551 N WASHINGTON ST, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22046, AT (703) 534-0770, FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTA

Mileage: 66,000

20160429AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20160330EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SINCE 35,000 MILES, I AM CONSTANTLY GETTING NOTIFICATION ERRORS TO A REPLACE REAR TURN SIGNAL WITH EACH USAGE OF IT. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE SIGNAL BLINKING IS OVERAGGRESSIVE, ANNOUNCING ITS MALFUNCTION TO MY FELLOW ROAD COMPANIONS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITIES WHO THEN POLITELY TELL ME MULTIPLE TIME A DAY THAT MY TURN SIGNAL IS ABOUT TO GO OUT. ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE THIS, I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB MULTIPLE TIMES TO RULE OUT FAULTY BULBS. WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE ISSUE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. THE TURN SIGNAL BLINKS AT 160+ CLICKS PER MINUTE VERSUS THE ACCEPTED 80 CPM. THE BLUB AND SOCKET ARE MELTING TOGETHER. I HAVE LOOKED AT FORUMS AND MANY ARE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, CONSIDERING USING TURN SIGNALS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR MANEUVERS WE MAKE IN OUR VEHICLES AND TO KEEP OURSELVES, AND OTHERS, ESPECIALLY OUR PASSENGERS, OUR LOVED ONES SAFE ON THE ROAD, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.

20160328EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ABOUT ONCE A MONTH SINCE ABOUT 10,000 MILES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE THE PLASTIC INSERT THAT HOLDS THE LIGHT BULB IS MELTING. WHEN IT HEATS AND MELTS, ITS SHAPE SLIGHTLY DISTORTS DISCONNECTING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE LIGHT BULB AND THE LIGHT BULB HOLDER. THANK GOODNESS THERE ARE REPLACEMENT PARTS ON EBAY BUT HAVING TO SPEND AN EXTRA 20 BUCKS EVERY OTHER MONTH SEEMS RIDICULOUS AND CERTAINLY SOMETHING WORTHY TO LOOK INTO AS A RECALL.

Mileage: 15,000

20160205EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS OVERHEAT, CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND WIRING TO MELT. WE HAVE HAD THE BULBS AND SOCKETS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES ON BOTH SIDES SINCE 2013, BUT THE ONLY THING THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. JUST HAD THE SOCKET AND BULB FOR PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED TWICE IN ONE MONTH, AND IT IS GONE AGAIN.

Mileage: 87,000

20151123SERVICE BRAKES

ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT COMPLETELY RELEASE. NOTICED BY EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING AND POOR GAS MILEAGE.

Mileage: 36,290

20150622POWER TRAIN

HAVE A 2011 9-5 AERO AND JUST HIT 58K. VERY RECENTLY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE POPPING/THUDDING WHEN DRIVING AWAY QUICKLY WITH THE WHEEL TURNED, EX: WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AND TURNING LEFT/RIGHT. I ALSO CAN FORCE THE CAR TO EXHIBIT THE BINDING/GRINDING DEEP NOISE WHEN IN FIRST WITH THE WHEEL TURNED ALMOST AT LOCK EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT WITH VERY LITTLE THROTTLE DEPRESSION. READING ANY SAAB FORUM I COULD, AND SPEAKING TO DEALERS AND READING SERVICE BULLETINS IN RELATION TO THIS CAR, ALL OTHER SAAB VEHICLES WITH THE HALED 4.0 SYSTEM WHICH DEBUTED ON THE SAAB 9-3 TURBOX, IT IS VERY EVIDENT THIS IS NOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. FROM WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, EVERY OWNER OF A SAAB THAT HAD THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM PROVIDED BY HALDEX HAS THESE CATASTROPHIC FAILURES OF THE SYSTEM CAUSING THE INABILITY TO DRIVE ONCE THE SYSTEM SHUTS ITSELF OFF, OR LOCKS WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAVE OWNERS STRANDED OR CAUSE THE PROP-SHAFT TO BIND, THEN LOCK AT SPEED AND CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS T

Mileage: 58,000

20150622STEERING

HAVE A 2011 9-5 AERO AND JUST HIT 58K. VERY RECENTLY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE POPPING/THUDDING WHEN DRIVING AWAY QUICKLY WITH THE WHEEL TURNED, EX: WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AND TURNING LEFT/RIGHT. I ALSO CAN FORCE THE CAR TO EXHIBIT THE BINDING/GRINDING DEEP NOISE WHEN IN FIRST WITH THE WHEEL TURNED ALMOST AT LOCK EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT WITH VERY LITTLE THROTTLE DEPRESSION. READING ANY SAAB FORUM I COULD, AND SPEAKING TO DEALERS AND READING SERVICE BULLETINS IN RELATION TO THIS CAR, ALL OTHER SAAB VEHICLES WITH THE HALED 4.0 SYSTEM WHICH DEBUTED ON THE SAAB 9-3 TURBOX, IT IS VERY EVIDENT THIS IS NOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. FROM WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, EVERY OWNER OF A SAAB THAT HAD THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM PROVIDED BY HALDEX HAS THESE CATASTROPHIC FAILURES OF THE SYSTEM CAUSING THE INABILITY TO DRIVE ONCE THE SYSTEM SHUTS ITSELF OFF, OR LOCKS WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAVE OWNERS STRANDED OR CAUSE THE PROP-SHAFT TO BIND, THEN LOCK AT SPEED AND CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS T

Mileage: 58,000

20130823EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK REAR TAILLIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH TAIL LIGHT BULB SOCKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Mileage: 22,000

Compare 2011SAAB9-5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 SAAB 9-5 have?
The 2011 SAAB 9-5 has 11 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 SAAB 9-5?
The 2011 SAAB 9-5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 SAAB 9-5?
The most-complained component for the 2011 SAAB 9-5 is EXTERIOR LIGHTING with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2011 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. The 2011 SAAB 9-5 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.