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.
2008 Saab 9-5 airbags problems
moderate 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 18 most recent
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!
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
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 AND FEEL IT IS …
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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS…
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 HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A F…
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 DISCONNECT.
I HAVE A 2008 9-5 SAAB AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS ITSELF ON AND OFF WHILE SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE CAR IS MOVING. THE SENSOR IS SUPPOSED TO BE SET TO TURN AIRBAG ON FOR 90 LBS BUT MY WIFE AND KIDS WEIGH ABOUT 120 LBS AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON IS TO PULL YOURSELF DOWN IN THE SEAT AND HOLD ON. I HAVE NOTIFIED SAAB ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY CANNOT FIX NOR DO TH…
THE 2008 SAAB 95 PASSENGER AIR BAG TURNS ITSELF ON AND OFF WHILE A PASSENGER IS SITTING ON THE SEAT WHILE DRIVING. IT SUPPOSEDLY IS SET FOR 90 LBS PRESSURE BUT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE OVER 120LBS. YOU MUST PULL YOURSELF DOWN WHILE SITTING IN THE SEAT TO KEEP AIR BAG FUNCTIONING. MY WIFE SAT IN OTHER 2008 95 SAAB'S AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS. THEY HAVE A FAULTY SWITCH ON THAT SEAT FOR THE AIR …
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR LONG TIME FOR AN AIR BAG REPLACEMENT FROM GENERAL MOTORS WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 Saab 9-5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 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.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.