2005 Saab 9-5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 |
Air Bags: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Equipment: 1; Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 5
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10424440 · 2011-09-09 (September 9, 2011)
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 OVERHEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10476532 · 2012-09-20 (September 20, 2012)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10476532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458300 · 2012-05-14 (May 14, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 154,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291306 · 2009-11-07 (November 7, 2009)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10419580 · 2011-08-15 (August 15, 2011)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 137,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10419580 at NHTSA ↗