This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls listed in bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Saab 9-5 airbags problems
moderate 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
When does it fail?
Of the 18 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 Saab 9-5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
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 2008 Saab 9-5 report two separate airbag problems. First, the passenger seat occupant detection sensor malfunctions while the car is moving. Even passengers weighing 120+ pounds—well above the stated 90 lb activation threshold—experience the airbag turning on and off repeatedly. Pulling yourself down in the seat temporarily restores detection, but it fails again once you relax. Multiple owners confirmed the same behavior in different 2008 9-5 units at dealerships. Saab's internal repair procedure does not correct it, and dealership service representatives acknowledged they cannot fix the issue.
Second, a Takata inflator recall (Campaign 16V063000) issued in February 2016 alerted owners to a rupture hazard posing injury or death risk. However, replacement parts did not arrive for months—some owners waited 10+ months after the initial recall notice without parts availability. Owners found neither Saab nor GM would provide rental vehicles while waiting, despite the safety risk. One owner who had undergone airbag replacement years earlier reported a new warning light with no parts available for re-repair. The critical complaint: a safety recall could not be acted upon due to supplier failures.
Same Saab 9-5 airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger airbag occupant detection sensor malfunction
Passenger airbag turns itself on and off while an occupant is seated and the vehicle is moving. The occupant detection sensor fails to maintain detection even when the passenger weighs 120+ lbs, well above the stated 90 lb threshold. Workaround reported: pulling oneself down in the seat temporarily restores detection. Multiple owners of different 2008 9-5 units confirmed the same behavior at dealerships. Sensor location distributes occupant weight away from the sensing element.
When: Occurs while vehicle is in motion with occupant seated
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light cycles on and off; Occupant detection status unstable despite adequate body weight; Requires physical adjustment of seating position to restore sensor detection
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attempted repair per manual procedures reported ineffective. No working solution provided by manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Saab/GM acknowledged issue at dealership level but stated inability to fix; no recall issued for this defect
Takata airbag inflator rupture hazard (NHTSA Campaign 16V063000)
Owners received recall notice in May 2016 for inflator risk issued in February 2016. Inflator could rupture, causing injury or death. Primary complaint: replacement parts unavailable for extended periods—some owners reported waiting 10+ months after recall initiation without parts availability. No rental vehicle assistance offered despite safety risk. One owner had airbag replaced years prior but now shows airbag warning light; no parts available for corrective replacement.
When: Recall issued February 2016; parts shortages reported through at least August 2016 and March 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on dash; Recall notice received but repair cannot be completed
Codes mentioned: 16V063000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement inflators unavailable; repair could not be performed. One owner reported prior replacement followed by new warning light with no parts for re-repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued recall NHTSA 16V063000 in February 2016 for inflator rupture risk; advised owners they could choose to continue driving, declining rental vehicle assistance offered by other manufacturers
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 18 most recent
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 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 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?
Based on the 18 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 90,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2008/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.