1999 Saab 9-5 problems & reliability
118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Saab 9-5, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
3 complaints report injuries (4 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1999 Saab 9-5 vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 70 | 59% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 17 | 14% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 | 7% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 | 6% |
| Air Bags | 4 | 3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3% |
| Power Train | 3 | 3% |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 3% |
| Tires | 3 | 3% |
| Wheels | 3 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 78,112 miles (middle 50% between 64,944 and 102,962 miles), based on 98 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Driver side airbag deployed while driving in a smooth straightaway country road at about 30-35 mph. No other cas were around at the time and nobody got seriously hurt, only a minor bruise on the arm.”
Air Bags · filed Sep 5, 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saab 9-5. The contact stated that while parked, the passenger's side impact air bag erroneously deployed. The vehicle was not involved in a crash or any type of impact. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for a diagnostic test however, dealer did not provide an explanation on what…”
Air Bags · filed Jun 18, 2013
“My vehicle was sold originally in california and has been a california registered vehicle at all times. It has rear fog lights installed with it's own separate switch on cluster dash for them . This vehicle does not comply with the california vehicle code 24602 fog tail lamps or rear fog lights. As the code states…”
Exterior Lighting · filed Sep 21, 2012
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE05017 · opened Apr 7, 2005 · closed Sep 23, 2005 · led to recall 06V410000
Technical service bulletins
40 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1999 Saab 9-5. The 10 most recent:
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
17-NA-073 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 21, 2023
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in colder ambient…
16NA260 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 26, 2016
Vehicle Recalls
Recalls · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 30, 2014
Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining. Only cosmetic…
99-08-51-007F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2014
Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining. Only cosmetic…
99-08-51-007F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2014
Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's underbody components…
PI0281D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2014
Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's underbody components…
PI0281D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2014
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Gm: the wipers, turn signals, and power windows are inoperative. 1999-2009 saab 9-5. *rm
SB-071511 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 16, 2011
Saab: steering wheel controls inoperative or incorrect function. *pe updated 5/23/11. *pe
PIC-4089A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2010
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1999 Saab 9-5 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1999 Saab 9-5?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 78,112 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.