Model year record

2008 SAAB 9-5 recalls & problems

The 2008 SAAB 9-5 has 2 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (19 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints20filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

2008 SAAB 9-5 in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsFeb 3, 2016

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 16V063000113,716 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.

SeatsApr 9, 2008

Front assembly › Head restraint

Recall 08V16000057,389 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A-PILLAR TRIM WITH IMPROVED ENERGY-ABSORBING CAPABILITY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2008 Saab 9-5 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2008 SAAB 9-5 NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

9-5 Sedan

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

9-5 SportCombi

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

9-5 Sedan

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

9-5 SportCombi

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal	19	0	0	0	30,000 mi
Electrical system	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
I HAD MY AIRBAG REPLACED ON RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I NOW HAVE AN ERROR ALERT ON MY DASH INDICATING AN AIR BAG PROBLEM. MY SERVICE TECHNICIAN TELLS ME THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ME, BESIDES DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR OR JUNK IT (PROBABLY ILLEGAL TO SELL )
Jan 6, 2020 · 83,000 miles
Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
May 11, 2016
Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED 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 HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Jan 3, 2017
Air bags
RECALL INITIATED IN FEB 2016, NOTIFICATION RECEIVED FROM GM IN MAY OF 2016, REPAIR IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AFTER 10 MONTHS FROM DATE OF RECALL.
Feb 3, 2016
Air bags
TAKATA RECALL - ALTHOUGH THE RECALL BEGAN FEBRUARY 3, 2016, IT HAS STILL NOT BEEN COMPLETED. GIVEN THE DANGER OF BEING HIT WITH SHRAPNEL, THE SITUATION SHOULD BE REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY!
Feb 3, 2016
Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 03/03/17*LJ *CN
Feb 15, 2016
Air bags
I RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE IN MAY OF 2016. THE RECALL WAS ACTUALLY IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. I AM BEING TOLD NOW THAT THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SOME TIME IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2017. THE RECALL STATES THE ISSUE MAY "RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS". BECAUSE OF THIS I WILL NOT HAVE ANYONE IN MY FAMILY DRIVE THIS CAR. I CAN NO LONGER BE WITHOUT THIS CAR AND FEEL IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT WE ARE PROVIDED A FULLY PAID RENTAL CAR UNTIL OURS CAN BE PROPERLY REPAIRED. THIS RECALL IS #15041.
Feb 1, 2016
Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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.
Feb 3, 2016

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021