2008 Saab 9-5 recalls & problems

2 recalls 20 complaints 1 investigation

2recalls
20owner complaints
0crashes reported
0fires reported
0 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2008 Saab 9-5 and 20 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is air bags (19 reports), followed by electrical system (2). NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2008 Saab 9-5 recalls

Air Bags · NHTSA 16V063000 · Feb 3, 2016

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…

113,716 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Seats · NHTSA 08V160000 · Apr 9, 2008

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.

57,389 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2008 Saab 9-5 problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags 19
000
Electrical System 2
000

NHTSA investigations

Latest owner complaints

Air Bags · Jan 28, 2020 · 83,000 miles · CA

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 )

Air Bags · Mar 22, 2017 · CA

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.…

Air Bags · Jan 3, 2017 · PA

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…

Air Bags · Dec 19, 2016 · PA

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.

Air Bags · Dec 12, 2016 · MN

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!

Air Bags · Dec 9, 2016 · SC

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

Air Bags · Dec 6, 2016 · IL

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…

Air Bags · Dec 5, 2016 · PA

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.…

Air Bags · Nov 25, 2016 · PA

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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact…

Air Bags · Oct 24, 2016 · MA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 saab 9-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…

Air Bags · Oct 17, 2016 · FL

I have been waiting for long time for an air bag replacement from general motors where I purchased my car.

Air Bags · Sep 21, 2016 · SC

Takata recall - we received a recall notice in may. We live in sc. The nearest saab dealer to US is in jacksonville, fl. We've called several times and they don't have the parts nor any information as to when they will get them. Saab customer service has no info either. What is the holdup? We have a family member in upstate ny who is gravelly ill and need to travel up there.

Other Saab 9-5 years

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Saab 9-5 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 2008 Saab 9-5, the most recent one (16V063000) for air bags. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saab 9-5?

Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are air bags (19), electrical system (2).

Is NHTSA investigating the 2008 Saab 9-5?

NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently EA21002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture.