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ProblemsByVin Index / 2005-SAAB-9-5 / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2005 Saab 9-5 owner complaints

11 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Listed by category, newest first within each section.

airbags 2 complaints shown

12/17/2012 101,000 mi Crash ODI #10489047.0

I was involved with in an accident on friday december 14th, 2012. I was returning to work on my lunch break and a lady ran a red light, pulling out infront of me, and I ended up t-boning her going roughly 45mph. I was extremely disappointed that no air bags were deployed in such a severe head on collision. The car has been seen by the insurance company and they decided to total the vehicle. In such a violent accident I would expect the air bags to be deployed, especially when the accident was a front on collision that totaled my saab. I was taken to the er because I hit my head on the a frame and had major back and neck pain. This problem about the air bags not going off needs to be known, and I am very disappointed that this vehicle did not meet the basic standards for safety in a head on

05/31/2011 46,000 mi Crash ODI #10403888.0

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 9-5 saab. The contact stated that while making a turn she crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags did deploy after the crash occurred and the driver received injuries to her face and mouth. A police report was filed. She was not transported to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised her that the way the she crashed into the vehicle, the air bags would not deploy. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 07/18/11 *bf updated 3/6/12 *cn

equipment 2 complaints shown

11/07/2009 52,000 mi ODI #10291306.0

The factory floor mat slipped forward and was wedged to the accelerator pedal so that the pedal stuck at almost full throttle. Avoided a collision by shifting into neutral, stopping, and realizing the mat was jammed into the accelerator pedal. I extricated the mat from the pedal and restored the function to normal. The car has restraining pins designed to hold the mat in place but the design is flawed, especially if the mat curls in that area. *tr

03/23/2012 113,951 mi ODI #10452822.0

The ignition cassette needed to be replaced. *tr

suspension 2 complaints shown

10/19/2010 45,000 mi ODI #10361142.0

Noticed abnormal / early rear tire wear. Noticed abnormal (out of manufacturers spec.) rear camber. Noticed rear suspension bottom out with moderate loads (approx 1/2 of max load). OEM rear tires cupped and required replacement prematurely due to abnormal rear camber. New tires installed. Rear aftermarket camber shims installed. *tr

07/18/2010 34,104 mi ODI #10343815.0

My 2005 saab 9-5 arc right front coil spring broke while my wife was driving the vehicle causing extensive tire damage. The vehicle is being repaired requiring the replacement of both coil springs along with the cv boot. The total cost for repairs is approximately $1200.00 along with the above repairs the tire was also replaced at a cost of $100.00. *tr

engine 2 complaints shown

09/09/2011 95,000 mi ODI #10424440.0

The ignition cassette cracks causing ignition problems, stalling, acceleration problems. It makes it unpredictable. This is the same problem as the previous recall pasted below. Why does it not cover these other model years? NHTSA campaign number: 06v410000 www.NHTSA.DOT.gov manufacturer saab cars usa, inc. Recall date: oct 23, 2006 potential number of units affected: 5078 description electrical system:ignition:module summary certain passenger vehicles equipped with b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines may experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads. Consequence overheating of the igbt occurs most often at engine start-up, but it may al

07/19/2012 ODI #10466591.0

Check engine light was sporadically on for about two weeks. On 7/14 coolant level low indication came on. Coolant reservoir was empty. Filled, started engine, coolant leaked in a steady stream from the car. Towed to dealer. Diagnosed ignition cassette as faulty and water valve (part servicing heater core) as faulty and the source of the leak. Check engine light was due to ignition cassette. Good there is a warning, but it could be more specific, as failure of this part shuts down the engine. Water valve leak could cause overheating. Both parts are critical and failure in a car with so little mileage is unacceptable. The ignition cassette for model years 1999-2002 was recalled due to overheating. This was reportedly fixed. Now the part that has failed in a fairly young car is not available

other 1 complaint shown

09/20/2012 122,000 mi ODI #10476532.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 9-5 saab. The contact stated that while traveling 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated repeatedly as the vehicle began to sputter and jerk. The contact then merged to the side of the road where the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence and was later taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the fuel line failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure and current mileages were 122,000. The VIN was not available.

powertrain 1 complaint shown

08/15/2011 137,800 mi ODI #10419580.0

Because of improper design, rear wire harness for reverse lights are being severed causing the reversing lights not to work. This same design flaw can be attributed to the failure of brake lights and electronic trunk release/lock. *tr

electrical 1 complaint shown

05/14/2012 154,000 mi ODI #10458300.0

Running lights will not turn off, even after the car is stopped and the key is out of the ignition, causing the battery to run down. *js

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-07-15. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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