2001 Saab 9-5 vs 2001 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2001 Saab 9-5 | 2001 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 82 | 430 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 55 | 207 |
| Investigations | 1 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 14 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 14 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–22 | 19–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 63,500 mi | 60,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Saab 9-5 | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 48 | 73 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 18 | 92 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 48 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 28 |
| Power Train | 0 | 34 |
| Visibility | 0 | 31 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 30 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 26 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 20 | 28 |
| Loss of power | 9 | 14 |
| Check engine light | 8 | 11 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 12 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 9 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 9 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 7 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 0 | 6 |
2001 Saab 9-5
2001 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.