1999 Saab 9-5 vs 1999 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1999 Saab 9-5 | 1999 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 118 | 664 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 40 | 122 |
| Investigations | 1 | 8 |
| Crash reports | 4 | 11 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 13 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–22 | 19–24 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 78,112 mi | 75,089 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Saab 9-5 | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 | 184 |
| Electrical System | 70 | 58 |
| Suspension | 1 | 118 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 17 | 86 |
| Steering | 1 | 76 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 35 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 32 |
| Visibility | 2 | 32 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 32 | 40 |
| Check engine light | 12 | 17 |
| Hesitation / surging | 8 | 9 |
| Loss of power | 7 | 10 |
| Brake problems | 5 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 17 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 13 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 9 |
1999 Saab 9-5
1999 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Saab 9-5 vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.