2003 Saab 9-5 vs 2003 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 | 2003 Saab 9-5 | 2003 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 47 | 628 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 81 | 213 |
| Investigations | 0 | 6 |
| Crash reports | 1 | 14 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 94 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–22 | 20–23 |
| Median reported mileage | 75,400 mi | 59,200 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Saab 9-5 | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 137 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 131 |
| Electrical System | 25 | 90 |
| Seats | 1 | 97 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 39 |
| Power Train | 3 | 35 |
| Structure | 2 | 29 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 0 | 28 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 11 | 75 |
| Check engine light | 11 | 29 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 24 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 18 |
| Overheating | 0 | 18 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 13 |
| Water leaks | 0 | 11 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 0 | 10 |
2003 Saab 9-5
2003 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.