This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls listed in bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Saab 9-5 airbags problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735,15040, 15041, 15043,15044, 15045, 15046, 15406,15438, 15442, 15815, 15816,15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 28811,17478, 18015, N192273760, N192278940, N212328760, N212328770, N212328780, N212328790, N212328800, N242437050, N242437060, N242437070.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735, 15040, 15041, 15043, 15044, 15045, 15046, 15047, 15048, 15049, 15050, 15052, 15053, 15406, 15438, 15442, 15815, 15816, 15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 28811, 17478, 18015, N192273760 and N192278940.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735, 15040, 15041, 15043, 15044, 15045, 15046, 15047, 15048, 15049, 15050, 15052, 15053, 15406, 15438, 15442, 15815, 15816, 15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 28811, 17478, 18015 and N192278940.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735, 15040, 15041, 15043, 15044, 15045, 15046, 15406, 15438, 15442, 15815, 15816, 15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 17478 and 18015.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2006 Saab 9-5 reported three distinct issues tied to the Takata airbag recall (NHTSA 16V063000):
Post-replacement warning light problems: One owner had the driver-side airbag replaced under recall in May 2017, but immediately afterward the airbag warning light began cycling on and off unpredictably—turning on when backing out of a garage or driving forward, staying on for a few seconds, then shutting off. The dealer blamed "resistance" and claimed to fix it, but the light kept returning. The owner suspects the replacement airbag itself is defective.
Parts scarcity and repair delays: Multiple owners received recall notices but could not get repairs completed because replacement parts were on extensive backorder or unavailable at authorized dealers. Saab dealers either could not perform the work or directed owners to non-Saab dealerships (Buick, Cadillac, GMC) that refused to service the Saab. Some owners waited years without resolution.
Two-letter requirement blocking repairs: One owner received a first notification in May 2016 but the dealer refused to proceed until a second letter arrived, which had not come at the time of complaint.
Several owners simply reported receiving recall notices but had no actual failures to describe, noting only the service bottleneck.
Same Saab 9-5 airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag light illumination after Takata recall replacement
After a replacement airbag was installed under the Takata recall, the airbag warning light began turning on and off sporadically. A dealer attributed the initial occurrence to 'resistance' and performed a repair, but the problem persisted. The owner suspects the replacement airbag itself is defective.
When: Post-replacement, starting after recall service on 5/25/2017
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light turns on and off sporadically; Warning chime sounds with light activation; Light comes on when car is backed out of garage; Light comes on when car is driven forward; Light turns off after a few seconds; Pattern is random and unpredictable; Light does not trigger on bumps or consistent driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer (Just Saab, Cincinnati, OH) diagnosed 'resistance' issue and performed repair; problem remains unresolved. Owner requested re-inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall campaign NHTSA 16V063000; replacement airbag installed 5/25/2017
Takata recall repair parts unavailability
Owners received recall notification (NHTSA campaign 16V063000) but were unable to schedule repairs due to widespread lack of available replacement parts and extensive backorders at authorized dealers.
When: After recall notification received (varying dates; complaints filed 2016 onward)
Symptoms owners cite: Recall parts not in stock; Extensive backorder status reported; Dealer unable to schedule repair due to parts shortage; Manufacturer exceeded reasonable repair timeframe
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealers contacted (Putnam Buick Pontiac GMC in Burlingame, CA; Honolulu Buick GMC Cadillac in Honolulu, HI; others) reported parts unavailable or unable to service Saab models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall campaign NHTSA 16V063000; manufacturer referred some owners to ship vehicle to California or contact non-Saab dealers; parts distribution was severely constrained
Recall repair delayed pending second notification letter
One owner received initial recall notification in May 2016 but dealer refused to perform repair without receipt of a second recall letter, which had not arrived as of complaint filing.
When: Initial notification May 24, 2016; repair blocked at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer refused to proceed with repair based on lack of second letter; Prolonged wait for second notification
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused service pending second recall letter arrival.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall; first notification letter issued May 24, 2016; second notification letter status unclear
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 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 notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 saab 9-5. The contact recieved 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 called the putnam Buick Pontiac GMC dealer (198 california drive, burlingame, ca 94010;…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 saab 9-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags) however, the contact was unable to get the repair completed due to lack of available dealers to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue…
Slow remedy for airbag recall and repair. When will this be eligible to be repaired?
Takata recall - airbag on above car was replaced under recall on 5/25/2017. Now, the airbag light keeps turning on sporadically. The garage - just saab (513) 527-4300 - who replaced the airbag claimed the first time when I took the car back to them that it was "resistance" that caused the light to come on and they fixed this problem. The airbag light is still coming on sporadically and I believe…
Takata recall - taking too long to replace.
Takata recall.I no longer have this vehicle,it was actually my daughters car but I was the co signer for her loan.this vehicle was traded in at van horn in fon du lac ,wi at least a year and a half ago.we have called people including contacting gm online saying we no longer have this car yet we keep getting recall info!!please contact van horn to see what they did with this car.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 saab 9-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that 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. VIN tool…
2006 saab. Consumer writes in regards to driver airbag inflator safety recall. *ld *js
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Saab 9-5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Saab 9-5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Saab/9-5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.